The “Cultural Chameleon” in European Countries through the Prism of Multilingualism. In: Multilingvism şi Interculturalitate în Contextul Globalizării

Abstract

The present article deals with the concept of the cultural chameleon under the European multilingualism framework, examining how individuals adapt to various linguistic and cultural environments. Given the increasing rates of mobility, migration, and globalization, Europe’s linguistic landscape is under constant change as well, therefore, the cultural chameleon emerges as a key figure in both social and professional contexts. Basen on theories of cultural intelligence (CQ) as well as sociolinguistic perspectives on language use, this study follows the patterns of language adaptation and highlights social and political factors contributing to the development of multilingual societies, alongside some real-world examples from European institutions. We argue that cultural chameleons, with their ability to switch between languages and cultures benefit from cognitive and social flexibility and at the same time play an important role in fostering cross-cultural understanding, enhancing professional mobility, and promoting linguistic diversity in a globalized world. CZU: 81’246.3:316.42(4); DOI: https://doi.org/10.53486/micg2024.02