Accommodation

Functions of Accommodation

Accommodation helps establish a common set of rules since it facilitates the negotiation of a system of norms meeting the needs and expectations of diversified participants. In addition, accommodation helps understand various approaches and attitudes, as well as facilitates the exchange of knowledge between participating entities. Looking at the issue of accommodation from an individual's perspective, it broadens one's ability to perform successfully in diversified environments.

Types of Accommodation

Accommodation can be divided into different categories by taking into account an individual's attitude toward accommodation. Voluntary accommodation takes place when someone wants to accommodate to another person's verbal and nonverbal behavior and supports the processes of accommodation. Involuntary accommodation occurs when someone is against accommodative activities that are conducted against his or her will. Neutral accommodation takes place when someone is neither for nor against accommodation; the processes of adjustment are of no importance to the individual.

Accommodation can also be divided into linguistic and nonlinguistic accommodation, and some subtypes of linguistic accommodation can be enumerated. Literal linguistic accommodation concerns the linguistic processes of adjustment encompassing the choice of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and pronouns in order to absorb to some extent one's way of communicating. Figurative linguistic accommodation concerns situations in which one uses symbolic language, such as idioms and metaphors, to accommodate to the repertoire of the interlocutor. In using metaphors, one is relying on well-known domains in the presentation of new concepts and ideas to facilitate the processes of [Page 12]knowledge flows and interactions. In addition, technological linguistic accommodation concerns the linguistic adjustment to conditions taking place in the online setting. It may involve using such forms of communication as emoticons as well as focusing on the economical and short forms of expression.

Accommodation can also be divided by taking into account the level on which it operates. Accommodation at the microlevel functions at the word level and seeks to find the term that makes one accommodated in a social situation. An example can be the use of vocabulary strictly connected with a specific industry, domain, or profession, in which the application of a specialized term is used to facilitate knowledge exchange. Accommodation at the mesolevel operates at the text level and is concerned with choosing a type of text that would accommodate the needs of the target audience. Accommodation at the macrolevel encompasses communication styles and languages.

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