Abstract
Based on a research project on intercultural communication in the multilingual area of South Tyrol, the paper compares communicative practices in two work meetings held at an information center and at a private language school, both situated in Bolzano and both employing collaborators of different L1. Through the sociolinguistic analysis of audio-recorded conversations - characterized by phenomena like code-alternation, code-switching and insertions - it is discussed how differences in language use (nearly exclusive use of Italian in one context versus balanced use of Italian and German in the other) may be related to the broader macrosocial context with its default rules for intergroup-communication and to individual L2 proficiency on the one hand, as well as, on a micro-level, to the development of interaction itself on the other. Finally, observations are provided as to the role played by the "chairperson" leading interaction in terms of orienting it towards the use of one or more languages.