ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by describing the nature and characteristics of conflict. It explores types of conflict, and the role(s) of language and culture in conflict situations, especially intercultural situations. The chapter discusses intercultural conflict competence and constructive ways to resolve language and intercultural misunderstandings and conflict situations. Culture plays a role in all conflict situations, whether intracultural or intercultural in nature. It can be a dominant factor, or it may influence the conflict in more subtle ways. A number of taxonomies have been developed to conceptualize conflict styles. In Western contexts these typologies are widely used by interpersonal and organizational communication specialists to help them make sense of differences in conflict management. Most conceptualizations of conflict styles have been shaped within Western, individualistic cultural contexts, and questions have been raised about their applicability in other settings, especially in collectivist cultural contexts such as in Asia.
