Dialogue Across Cultures: Interview with Sylvie Grein

Dialogue interculturel : Entretien avec Sylvie Grein

As part of my project on intercultural dialogue in Luxembourg, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sylvie, a professional who has been involved for many years in the field of education and social projects.

Throughout her career, she has notably worked on educational projects in Africa,

particularly in the area of literacy and access to education for children.

Today, she is active in Luxembourg in the field of language learning.

with a particular commitment to the promotion and development of the Luxembourgish language within society.

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🔹 Question 1 – Language and human connection

Language is often perceived as a simple tool for communication, but in reality, it is also deeply linked to identity, self-confidence, and how individuals relate to others.

In a multicultural society like Luxembourg, many people do not always feel comfortable fully expressing themselves.

In your experience, how does language influence individuals' confidence and their ability to connect with others?

Answer :

Language is much more than a tool for communication: it directly affects self-confidence.

When a person masters a language and its nuances, they express themselves with ease and confidence. Conversely, if this is not the case, they may hesitate, remain silent, or withdraw.

I have also observed strong reactions, such as frustration or even anger, when the words do not come out as desired.

In Luxembourg, this can create invisible isolation.

Building connections therefore begins with feeling safe to express oneself, even imperfectly.

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🔹 Question 2 – Language and misunderstandings

In everyday life, many misunderstandings do not arise from a genuine disagreement, but rather from difficulties in clearly expressing one's thoughts, emotions, or intentions.

For people learning a new language, this difficulty can be even greater.

In your opinion, to what extent can language barriers contribute to misunderstandings and tensions between people from different cultures?

Answer :

Many misunderstandings do not stem from the content itself, but from the difficulty in clearly expressing - and with nuance - one's thoughts and emotions.

Cultural differences also play a role.

Speaking the same language does not necessarily mean sharing the same references, images, or interpretations. This is even more true when each person expresses themselves in a language that is not their mother tongue – which is common in Luxembourg.

When a language barrier is added, things get complicated.

A person may appear distant, abrupt, or hesitant when they are simply doing their best with the vocabulary available to them.

In a multicultural context like Luxembourg, these discrepancies can quickly create tensions.

Hence the importance of learning to listen beyond words, with patience, openness… and above all without judgment.

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🔹 Question 3 – Language learning and cultural integration

Learning a language is not limited to vocabulary and grammar. It also involves understanding cultural codes, social behaviors, and ways of thinking.

How can learning a language help individuals better understand a culture and feel more integrated into society?

Answer :

Learning a language means entering a culture, because language is an essential element of it.

Try translating a joke: it doesn't really work. You need the original language… and the cultural context.

In Luxembourg, you can absolutely live and work without speaking Luxembourgish.

But if one wants to move from the position of observer to that of participant, it becomes difficult to do without it.

A language conveys much more than information: it carries a way of understanding the world and helps us feel at home.

The important thing is not to speak perfectly, but to be able to participate in the relationship.

And we must not forget that others may get tired of translating or constantly expressing themselves in a language that is not their own.

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🔹 Question 4 – Trust, vulnerability and communication

Many people feel vulnerable when speaking a language they haven't yet fully mastered. This can affect their participation in discussions, their career opportunities, and their social relationships.

In your experience, how can individuals overcome this fear and develop their confidence when communicating in a new language?

Answer :

Speaking in a new language makes one vulnerable.

We lose ease, precision, and sometimes confidence. We might even feel “stupid”.

But this vulnerability is not a weakness — it is a natural stage of learning.

Of course, if you encounter people who are not very understanding, it can undermine trust.

But in Luxembourg, a few words of Luxembourgish are often enough to transform the quality of the relationship and the way a person is received.

Trust is built through experience, by daring to speak, little by little.

And remembering that the goal is not perfection, but connection.

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🔹 Question 5 – Connection rather than perfection

Your approach emphasizes connection rather than perfection, which is a very powerful idea, both in language learning and in human relationships.

How can this shift in perspective — moving from "speaking perfectly" to "building connections" — transform the way people communicate and interact with each other?

Answer :

Trying to speak perfectly can block communication.

We want to control everything before speaking, which creates enormous pressure… and stifles spontaneity.

However, the primary purpose of a language is communication in everyday life.

Why do we talk? To connect, to build relationships.

When the goal becomes connection, something relaxes.

People are more daring, more present, and more authentic.

Exchanges are becoming more sophisticated — and linguistic progress naturally follows.

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🔹 Question 6 – Languages, communication and mediation

In mediation, communication plays an essential role, particularly in multicultural contexts where ways of thinking and expressing oneself may differ.

In your opinion, how can a better understanding of languages and communication styles help prevent conflicts and improve dialogue between cultures?

Answer :

Many tensions arise from misunderstandings, not from negative intentions.

A word, a tone, a code can have one meaning in one culture… and a different meaning in another.

Communication styles also vary: some are more direct, others more implicit.

In an environment like Luxembourg, understanding these differences already helps to defuse many conflicts.

When both parties share a language and have sufficient vocabulary, the mediator can better facilitate the dialogue.

Because where words fail, frustration can quickly give way to tension.

And above all, nothing replaces listening without prior judgment.

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🔹 Final question – Building bridges between cultures

In a society like Luxembourg, where many cultures, languages and life experiences coexist, communication becomes a key element of social cohesion.

Do you think that language learning can play a role in creating stronger bonds between individuals and in reducing social tensions?

And what message would you like to convey to people who are trying to find their place in a new cultural environment?

Answer :

Yes, I am deeply convinced that language learning can play a vital role in building connections and reducing social tensions.

But not only for linguistic reasons.

Learning a language is taking a step towards others. It's saying: I'm ready to meet you in your world, even if imperfectly. And this simple step can already transform the relationship.

In Luxembourg, where so many cultures coexist, language can become either a barrier… or a bridge. It all depends on how you approach it.

When learning is focused solely on performance, it can reinforce fears, feelings of exclusion, or illegitimacy.

But when it is experienced as a space for meeting, curiosity and kindness, it allows people to gradually feel at home.

And this position does not come from speaking perfectly, but from daring to enter into a relationship.

The message I would like to convey is simple:

You don't need to wait until you are "ready" or "perfect" to belong.

Your voice, even if hesitant, has value.

Your way of speaking, even if imperfect, can already create a connection.

And often, it is these authentic, simple and human exchanges… that build the strongest bridges between cultures.