Introduction:

In my contribution I use the terms “transcultural” and “transnational” in a way that might suggest they constitute two sides of the same coin, i.e. that they are two expressions of the same thing, i.e. that they are essentially the same thing. That, however, is decidedly not the case. On the contrary, I claim transnationality and transculturality are two distinct concepts – two distinct concept which, however, cannot be considered independently from one another. So what is the transnational sphere? The transnational sphere materializes wherever structures emerge whose specific mode of existence is not related to any specific nation, culture, mindset, religion etc. Such a structure may be a unit of a globally operating organization (or this organization as a whole, though for one or several of its units to be transnational it is not necessary for the whole organization to be thus); or an international airport, hotel, restaurant etc.; or a university, academy, think-tank etc.; or even a religion or an ideology. All of the above – and many more – taken together, constitute the transnational sphere. So why – given that this transnational sphere can be so neatly described – would I assert that transnationality cannot be considered independently from transculturality?