ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA IN INTERCULTURAL SETTINGS: A STUDY OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This study explores the use of English as a lingua franca (ELF) in intercultural communication, focusing on the strategies employed to facilitate understanding and the common causes of communication breakdowns. English has emerged as the primary medium for international communication, known as English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). This paper explores the use of English in intercultural interactions, focusing on the communication strategies employed by speakers and the nature and resolution of communication challenges.Based on qualitative data from interviews and recorded conversations among multinational speakers, this study reveals that ELF communication is shaped by strategic adaptability, mutual negotiation of meaning, and sensitivity to cultural norms. It also identifies common sources of misunderstanding and explores how speakers manage and resolve these issues. The findings emphasize that ELF should not be seen as flawed or deficient English but rather as a flexible and evolving form of international communication.