Acts of distinction at times of crisis: an epistemological challenge to intercultural communication research

In this article, we reflect on the epistemological frameworks and priorities of intercultural communication research regarding ‘cultural differences’. With current challenge posed by COVID-19 pandemic, along with growing political social polarisation in recent years, argue for a need to (re)focus attention ways acts distinction (i. e., explicit marking accentuating cultural differences) function everyday encounters. The notion distinction, supported principles from interactional sociolinguistics moment analysis, can further our understanding dynamics domination symbolic dimensions group formation.