Forei

Forei is a term used in sociolinguistics and cultural studies to describe the social construction of foreignness in cross-cultural interactions. It refers to the set of perceptions, attitudes, and practices that societies apply to outsiders and distant groups.

Origin and usage: Forei is a neologism that scholars use to capture how outsiders are categorized, labeled, and treated in everyday life, policy, and media. It emphasizes that foreignness is not inherent in others but is produced through discourse, institutions, and social practices.

Dimensions: Forei encompasses language attitudes (accent bias, communication expectations), symbolic cues (dress, customs), and institutional responses (visa rules, policing, zoning). It can reflect perceived threat, cultural distance, or economic competition, shaping intergroup contact.

Applications and examples: In research, forei is used to analyze immigrant experiences, public opinion, and border discourse. In fiction and speculative writing, forei can imagine distinct social worlds where foreignness structures power relations.

Criticism: Some scholars argue the concept risks broad generalization and masking power asymmetries behind a single label. Others propose complementary concepts such as othering, boundary work, and intercultural competence.

See also: Othering, Xenophobia, Immigration policy, Multiculturalism.