Lingua receptiva als bouwsteen voor de transnationale neerlandistiek

This paper discusses a new concept of multilingual communication in the Netherlands, i.e. receptive multilingualism or so-called lingua receptiva (LaRa). ‘LaRa is the ensemble of those linguistic, mental, interactional as well as intercultural competences which are creatively activated when listeners are receiving linguistic actions in their ‘passive’ language or variety. In order to monitor and process ‘passive knowledge activation in hearers’, speakers make use of subsidiary competences and control communicative asymmetries as soon as these become manifested in interaction (Rehbein et al., in preparation).’ The paper discusses studies concerning institutional practices of lingua receptiva in German-Dutch transnational communication. Subsequently, European traditions with regard to receptive multilingualism in Scandinavia, the Habsburg Empire and Switzerland are presented. Finally, the paper suggests further research concerning academic applications of Lingua Receptiva in transnational Dutch Studies.