High and Low Context Cultures
In order to further understand the way cultures differ in their communication, groups are categorized as high context or low context. Context is the information that surrounds an event (Hall & Hall, p. 166). It is generally assumed that high context communication is used in collectivistic cultures while low context communication is used in individualistic cultures. Interactions between Hope College students (Holland, MI) and Effat University students (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) allowed for closer looks at the way high and low context cultures contrast.
High context cultures, such as Arab nations, have highly coded, indirect language. Rather than focusing on the words spoken, high-context cultures view what is not said as important. In conversation, the detail and repetition of one’s speech is valued. Words are more associated with emotion than reality, making exaggeration a common occurrence.
High context cultures, such as Arab nations, have highly coded, indirect language. Rather than focusing on the words spoken, high-context cultures view what is not said as important. In conversation, the detail and repetition of one’s speech is valued. Words are more associated with emotion than reality, making exaggeration a common occurrence.
High context: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (home of Effat University)
http://www.expatarrivals.com/saudi-arabia/jeddah/moving-to-jeddah
In low-context cultures, such as the United States, what is said is the most important thing in speech. If problems arise in communication, it is often because of someone’s statements and not the other nonverbal details surrounding those. Low-context cultures are very precise, literal, and direct in their words. People within low-context groups value conciseness in speech and become irritated when extraneous details are given. A large space bubble is preferred when communicating with another party. Low-context people use inflection in their voice—often upwards for women and downwards for men—and enjoy filling silence.
Low context: Holland, Michigan (home of Hope College) http://www.ciy.com/move/event-info/dates-locations/michigan-3
High context cultures view low context cultures as aggressive, rude, impatient, and rigid. On the other hand, low context cultures view high context cultures as vague, evasive, and ambiguous. It is easy to see how these different contexts can affect so much of our intercultural communication. What is considered normal, everyday behaviors and mannerisms can be construed as disrespectful by someone else. The first step to understanding nonverbal communication, however, is recognizing that our own set of nonverbals, and our own form of context, is not universal and therefore not necessarily the "right" way of approaching communication.
For more explanation of high and low context cultures, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tIUilYX56E
