Urszula Pawilcz (Warsaw University, Poland). Stereotypes in Cross-cultural Communication. – In: Languages and Cultures of the Baltic Region: Collection of Papers. Vol. 2. – Rīga: Sociālo tehnoloģiju augstskola (STA), 2007. ISBN 978-9984-39-253-0.
Summary
In my article I elaborate on the essence of national stereotypes and auto-stereotypes and the influence that cross-cultural communication has on them. Positive and negative roles of stereotypes are indicated, and it is shown how nations and ethnic groups are perceived nowadays by Poles. It is underlined that stereotypes and auto-stereotypes are helpful in preserving national identity. They provide basic facts that facilitate process of understanding new surroundings and may even serve as the means of assimilation. Most of the presented examples refer to Poles, the ways they are seen in Europe and the ways they see others.