What term describes the motivation to adapt language and communication patterns?

The motivation to adapt language and communication patterns is best described by the term "Accommodation." This concept refers to how individuals adjust their speech and behavior in response to the social context and the needs of those they are communicating with. In language learning and communication, accommodation may manifest in various ways, such as altering one's accent, vocabulary, or even the structure of sentences to foster understanding or comfort for the listener. It reflects an awareness of those involved in the interaction and a willingness to bridge communication gaps.

Cultural Relativism and Cultural Universalism pertain more to understanding and interpreting cultures without bias or acknowledging shared characteristics across cultures, rather than the specific act of modifying language. Assimilation involves the process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group, often losing their original cultural identity, and does not focus specifically on variations in language or communication styles.