Abstract
Based on a research project on intercultural communication in the plurilingual area of South Tyrol-Alto Adige, Italy, the paper focusses on the micro-analysis of verbal interactions in linguistically heterogeneous groups, with speakers who are either South Tyroleans of Italian and German mother-tongue or come from different regions of Italy and other countries. After a brief description of the socio-political and linguistic situation of South Tyrol, where the the German-speaking community is protected as linguistic minority, examples taken from different settings, ranging from professional, educational and political contexts, are examined. Adopting a Conversation Analysis perspective, it is thereby it is discussed how the official goal of Italian-German bilingualism is reflected in real communicative exchanges, how language choice and language alternation can fulfil specific communicative purposes and how limited competences in a second or a foreign language can be drawn upon as resources in intercultural communication.