Communicerende

Communicerende is a Dutch term used in discussions of communication to describe processes, systems, or actors that engage in reciprocal, bidirectional information exchange. The word is formed from the verb communiceren (to communicate) with the present participle suffix -ende, yielding an adjectival or participial form that can describe ongoing interaction.

The term is not part of the standard Dutch lexicon in all dictionaries and appears mainly in scholarly or public discourse on media, organizational communication, and participatory design. Its precise definition can vary by discipline, but it generally signals intersubjective exchange rather than one-way messaging.

In sociolinguistics and communication studies, communicerende actors or systems are characterized by feedback mechanisms, shared meaning, and transparency. It is often used to contrast with unidirectional or broadcast-style communication. Applications can be found in participatory platforms, collaborative work environments, and community-based media.

Benefits typically associated with communicerende practices include increased inclusion, responsiveness, and adaptability. Critiques note that the term can be vague, with ambiguity about what constitutes sufficient reciprocity or accountability, and it may be overapplied to any form of interaction without clear criteria.

Related concepts include two-way communication, participatory communication, mutual understanding, and user-centered design. As a niche or emerging term, communicerende remains more common in specific Dutch-language discourses than in everyday usage.