Transcript Communication Between Cultures

Communication Between Cultures
More than language...
A Story
My friend Lin Qihui
came for dinner.
When it was time for her to go, I
opened the door for her.
I waved goodbye.
She seemed so surprised!
Song keren zou

a custom

it has meaning
(not doing it also has meaning)

what gives it meaning?
Culture
What is culture?
An iceberg!
clothing
visible
invisible
customs
etiquette music
literature
history
values
attitudes
feelings
patterns
Example: forms of address
Calling the teacher by their first name
(common in American colleges)
The reason:
• reduce social distance
• allow freer communication
Visible or invisible?

When should you say “thankyou”?
visible

What is friendship?
invisible

Are women better than men?
invisible

When should gifts be given?
visible

Do old people deserve respect?
invisible
Context

Context is the situation in which
language occurs:
– physical location
– relationship between people
– shared knowledge (culture, memories, etc)
– reason for communication
– gestures
– behaviour
High/low context

Low context communication:
The message is mainly carried by the
language.
eg. TV, books, talking to a stranger

High context communication:
The message is mainly carried by the
context.
eg. telling your mother how you feel
Talking to your mother
She will listen to what you say.
 She will consider the context:

– your gestures and facial expressions
– your past behaviour
– your current situation

If the message from the context does
not match the message from the
language, which will she believe?
High/low context cultures
High
Japan
China
America
Low
Germany
Example

You are going overseas to study at an American
college.

Before you even leave China, you receive a lot of
written information:
– handbook for international students
– information about passports and visas
– how to get from the airport to the college

There is nobody to meet you at the airport.
Explanation

Westerners look for, and trust, impersonal (low
context) information.
(books, internet, advice from officials, etc)

The Chinese student in America, with no human to
help them, might feel that the situation is cold and
unfriendly.

The Westerner travelling to China feels
uncomfortable when they hear: “You’ll find out all the
details when you arrive!”
Another example
A trade fair in Beijing
George Hall: an American businessman
Mr. Li: manager of a Chinese company
George suggested that they arrange a meeting.
Mr. Li replied in fairly good English, “That would be interesting.”
“When can we met?” asked George.
“Ah. This week is very busy,” replied Mr. Li.
“It sure is,” said George, “How about 10 o’clock tomorrow? Meet you
here.”
“Tomorrow at 10 o’clock?” asked Mr. Li thoughtfully.
“Right,” said George, “I’ll see you then?”
“Hmm, yes, why don’t you come by tomorrow,” was the reply.
The next day at 10 o’clock he went to Mr. Li’s company’s exhibit only to
find that Mr. Li had some important business and was not able to meet
with George. He called back later in the day and was told that Mr. Li
was not available.
Explanation

Westerners often think the best way to
communicate is for everyone to speak
directly.

Once all the information has been shared, a
decision can be made.

They pay attention to words, rather than
context.

But people from a high context culture often
communicate indirectly.