Cultures differ on the importance and the area of words in communication. In some civilizations words are central and the primary method of communication. This is low context communication. In other cultures things, apart from words, are incredibly important in communication. Implied meanings due to the physical setting up, relational cues, or distributed understandings form an important part of communication. That is high framework communication.
All of us take part in both high-context and low-context communication. There are occasions we "say everything we mean, and indicate that which you say, " going out of little to be "read in" to the explicit note. This is low-context communication. At other times, we may infer, imply, insinuate, or deliver with nonverbal cues emails that we want conveyed but do not speak. This is high-context communication. Individualistic oriented cultures have a tendency to prefer low context communication and communal driven cultures have a tendency to prefer high framework communication.
- If you greet your Austrian consumer. This is actually the sixth time you have met during the last 4 calendar months. He calling you Herr Smith. You imagine of him as a standoffish sort of dude who doesn't need to get really friendly. That could be true in the us, where getting in touch with someone Mr. Smith after the 6th meeting would probably mean something -- it is marked usage of words -- like "we're not hitting it off". However in Austria, it is normal.
- A Canadian conducting business in Kuwait is amazed when his ending up in a high-ranking public is not held in a closed office and is constantly interrupted. He starts wondering if the official is really as important as he had been resulted in believe that, and he starts to mistrust how significantly his business has been taken.
- A British manager asked a fresh, young American worker if he would like to have an early lunch time at 11 am each day. The staff said 'Yeah, that would be great!' The manager immediately said "With that kind of frame of mind, you may as well forget about lunch break!" The worker and the employer were both baffled by what went incorrect. [In England, expressing "yeah" for the reason that context is seen as rude and disrespectful.
- In the united states, a firm, brief handshake signifies self-confidence and (heterosexual) masculinity. A limp handshake by a guy can be interpreted (usually wrongly) as a sign of homosexuality or wimpiness. However in most parts of Africa, a limp handshake is the way in which to do it. Furthermore, it's quite common in Africa for the handshake to last several minutes, within the US a handshake that is even a few seconds too much time is interpreted as familiarity, ambiance and possibly sexual attraction.
- In Britain, men do not look at women on the roads. The French do. Recently, a French general public figure brought up in a speech that the Brits are gay -- the evidence was their insufficient overt interest in women.
Low context refers to societies where people tend to have many connections but of shorter length or for some specific reason. In these societies, ethnical behaviour and values might need to be spelled out explicitly so that those coming into the cultural environment learn how to respond. E. g. Low framework ethnicities include Anglos, Germanics and Scandinavians.
The properties of the high framework communication are:-
- Pure information transfer
- People say what they mean
- No dual meanings
- No misunderstandings
- Language as an instrument for communication ONLY
- No interference from idioms, slang, dialects, etc.
- No ethnical problems
Some characteristics of low framework communication are:
- Verbal communication is on the foreground; Non-verbal communication is more on the background or functions with an unconscious level.
- Subject things are addressed straight and openly and correct words are being used to spell it out what somebody feels or feels.
- Low context communication is a speaker-oriented style where sound system do not think twice to offer their opinions and knowledge (Self-enhancement style).
- Interpersonal contact between people generally and between those straight involved in communication is usually superficial.
- People of low framework communication are usually very process focused. Communication has great deal regarding decisions and activities on what must be achieved to complete an activity.
- Rules are important in different life contexts.
- Low framework communication causes lot of general population knowledge, exterior and accessible for just about any person.
High context refers to societies or groups where folks have close links over a long time frame. Many areas of cultural behaviour aren't made explicit because most users know very well what to do and what to think from years of interaction with each other. Your family is most likely an example of a high context environment. E. g. High context cultures include Japanese, Arabs and French.
The properties of the high context communication are
- Hidden assumptions
- Double meanings
- Coded information
- Use of idioms
- Extra, "Spam" information
- High speed
- Use of slang
- Problem of dialects
- Important information difficult to identify
- Cultural gap
Some of the characteristics of high context communication are:
- highcontextLess verbal and written communication than in low context communication. Deliberate non-verbal communication is more on the foreground than in low context;
- Silence often part of communication;
- Many sites of romantic relationships between people and groups have an influence on communication - what is said and how it is stated.
- High framework communication builds on long term relationships;
- High framework communication is listener oriented where audio speakers do not promote themselves forcefully to other (Self-effacement Style)
- Decisions and activities build upon personal relationships and frequently centre around a person of authority
Communication breakdowns may easily occur when people from low and high context communication styles interact. Low framework speakers may fail to notice the simple and indirect messages which high context speakers send to them non-verbally or misinterpret their silences or ambiguous talk. High context loudspeakers may not listen to the words of low framework speakers, but try to discover the non-existent hidden communication behind the real words of the audio system. High contexts can be difficult to get into if you are a outsider (because you don't carry the framework information internally, and because you can't instantly create close human relationships). Low contexts are not too difficult to enter if you are a outsider (because the surroundings contains a lot of the information you need to participate, and because can you form relationships fairly soon, and because the main thing is accomplishing a task rather than sensing the right path into a marriage). Remember that every culture and every situation has its high and low aspects. Often one situation will contain an interior high context main and an external low context diamond ring for many who are less involved.
- Japanese can find Westerners to be offensively blunt. Westerners will get Japanese to be secretive, devious and bafflingly unforthcoming with information.
- French can believe that Germans insult their cleverness by explaining the most obvious, while Germans can feel that French managers provide no route.
When people who like low framework communication interact with people who choose high-context communication, it might be helpful to understand that:
- Non-verbal gestures, public settings, numbers of individuals present, dress codes, time keeping, silences and food may all be part of a verbal subject matter or be taken into account when interpreting the verbal communication. The "messages" delivered this way may be as important as the verbal message.
- Status and identification may be communicated indirectly in a non-verbal manner and it must be recognized and respected for good communication.
- Face-saving and tact are important aspects of communication and should in most cases not be considered as deliberate makes an attempt to avoid issues or to speak the truth. Frank and open discussions should happen in a context where people feel save and experience value.
- Building good relations with communication companions and important visitors to them, will improve the capacity to interpret the verbal and non-verbal messages of the high context communication associates.
When people who favor high framework communication interact with people who prefer low-context communications, they have to understand that:
- They must target upon what is actually said and not look for hidden messages behind the words or in non-verbal ways. Non-verbal information may be unintentional and must be interpreted with extreme care.
- The loudspeakers will focus on the matter under discourse and that the position and personal information of the folks included are of minimal importance. There is absolutely no intention to ignore people or be rude.
- Direct questions, observations or proposals are not necessarily designed to intimidate or even to offend, but to clarify and promote the duty or mutual goals.
Indirect or non-verbal information may not be recognized or wrongly interpreted by the communication partners. More direct emails are needed to keep the communication process heading.