malintesi

Malintesi is a term used to describe a misunderstanding or misinterpretation that occurs in communication between individuals or groups. In Italian, it denotes an error in understanding, often when there is a mismatch between what one person intends and what another person understands. Malintesi can arise from differences in language, culture, knowledge, or context, and they frequently involve both semantic and pragmatic elements.

Common causes include linguistic ambiguity, as when a word or phrase has more than one meaning; cultural differences that affect norms, assumptions, or conversational styles; incomplete or misaligned context; and barriers in the communication channel such as noise, distraction, or differing levels of formality. Misinterpretations can be semantic, involving wrong word meanings; pragmatic, involving incorrect readings of intent or tone; or situational, due to divergent background knowledge.

The effects of malintesi range from minor confusion to significant conflict or error, especially in professional or intercultural settings. In everyday life, they can hinder cooperation, trust, and relationship quality. Resolution typically involves clarifying questions, paraphrasing, and summarizing to verify understanding; using plain language and explicit expressions of intent; and ensuring shared context, patience, and active listening. In multilingual environments, simplifying language, avoiding idioms, and confirming comprehension are particularly effective strategies.

See also miscommunication, misunderstanding, misinterpretation.