Like general theories of human communication, previous research into second language (L2) communication strategies (CSs) has also been characterized on either interactional conceived account or cognitively conceived one. However, this paper is a critical attempt to show that CSs' full significance can only be understood if the domain of CSs research is expanded beyond the particular kinds of psycholinguistic and interactional approaches that currently dominate the field. The expansion requires a significantly enhanced awareness of the other important dimensions of language within L2 contexts that affect/are affected by CSs, such as social variables and contextual factors. Widened in this way, it is argued that the concept of L2 CSs can be fruitfully tailored to a very large literature outside L2 acquisition, and it becomes a rich forum for the investigation of interactional, social, and educational issues.