Verbal Communication

The medium is the message.Copyright Rob Whyte 2014 www.eslwriting.org

Three Primary Message SystemsVerbal Messages high and low context cultures (today)

Non Verbal Messages Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures (time) Proxemics (space)

1. High and Low Verbal Context

Every communication message contains some cultural context. Words do not carry the full meaning of the intended message. Culture defines what we pay attention to and ignore in communication. Culture is a screen between individuals and the outside world. There are two categories of verbal communication: high and low context

High Context Culture

Most of the meaning of a message is not communicated in words. it is in the physical context or internalized in the other person it can be communicated through inferences, gestures and silence a few words can express a lot of meaning need to read between the lines typical in homogenous societies tend to use more formal language and titles

Low Context Culture

Most of the meaning of a message is in the spoken words. messages are often direct and explicit prefer specificity and precision typical in heterogeneous societies with little shared background tend to use less formal language and fewer titles

High Context Example

American teacher in a Japanese school She saw ashtray on her desk in staff room Assumed smoking was okay, so she smoked None of other teachers complained

A Japanese teacher with US experience explained smoking was not permitted in the staffroomWhy had nobody told the American not to smoke?

High Context Example (2)

The Japanese teacher explained that others had expressed their disapproval opened windows despite cold temperature left the room when she smoked made indirect comments

But the American teacher failed to notice these indirect forms of communication. (DeCapua, 2004)Was the American teacher rude?

How High and Low Appear to Each Other

High context people may appear

evasize dishonest indecisive and weak - unable to take a

position to increase tension by not dealing directly

with issues

Low context people may appear

insensitive and arrogant boorish insulting to increase tension by forcing direct

discussion of issues

Other Causes for MisunderstandingHIGH CONTEXT

1. people are inside or outside the circle2. conflict is personalized3. value harmony, hierarchy and consensus4. things get done based on relationships5. identify is rooted in a groups6. communication is an art form, to engage

people

LOW CONTEXT

1. relationships can start end, quickly2. conflict is depersonalized3. value getting to the point4. things get done by following procedures5. identify is rooted in self and individual

accomplishments6. communication is a tool to exchange

information, opinions and ideas

Final Thoughts on High/Low Context

By looking at high and low context verbal messages, we can see very different: uses of language perceptions of identity paradigms of social relationships perceptions of the other easy to formulate stereotypes value systems

In other words, the medium of verbal messages contains a significant list of cultural differences.

2. Perceptions of Time by Hall

Hall says there are two cultures of time: monochronic and polychronic monochronic means paying attention to one thing and doing one thing at a

time polychronic means being involved with many things at one time and doing

many things simultaneously these differences in time perceptions can affect many daily aspects of life

and therefore cause cross cultural communication problems

Monochronic Cultures Monochronic time is not natural. It is an artifact from the industrial revolution (Hall/Hall).

Time is linear, like a road from the past to the future, chopped up into sections

Tangible: used, wasted, lost, saved, spent Classifies relationships (e.g. I dont have time to

see him.) Time commitments (deadlines, schedules) are

serious Plans are serious Requires low context messages (specificity) Being late is disrespectful Typical in North America and Northern Europe

Polychronic Cultures Greater emphasis on people

More emphasis on completing human relationships than schedules.

Need information, need to be up to date about business and personal matters

In professional world: tight, fixed agendas can be seen as insulting

Love to do multiple tasks at one time Being late is normal Change plans easily and often Typical in Latin America and Middle east

Example of Communication Failure

US company buys French firm. New American manager orders sales staff to increase sales and the

number of customers in 3 months. One salesman argued that sales are based on personal relationships with

customers that take years to develop. Occasionally, customers remain loyal for generations.

The US manager did not understand this. The French salesman quit and took his sales list with him.

Who is at fault?

A Few Quick Examples

The Japanese learned to manipulate American impatience. Said one businessman, You Americans have one terrible weakness. If we make you wait long enough, you will agree to anything."

Time spent waiting outside an office is regarded in monochronic cultures as an indication of importance. Waits more than 30 minutes may be regarded as an insult. However, in Latin countries no such meaning is intended.

Giving people deadlines in Arab countries is sometimes regarded as rude and pushy.(Hall, Silent Language of Business)

3. Proxemics

How people communicate with and through the use of space. Space reflects something about

culture - interpersonal communication, houses, workspace, even urban design.

Four categories of personal space: 1. intimate2. personal/friend3. social4. public/audience

Proxemics

In addition to distance, other factors can determine level of intimacy created in space:

Kinesthetic - actual proximity Touching code - physical contact Visual code - eye contact Voice code - from silent to very

loud

Concluding Thoughts Cross cultural communication barriers are often caused by three types of problems.

1. MISPERCEPTION: How we perceive reality is shaped by culture. We certainly dont use the same kinds of words to describe events.Consider the Michigan Fish test.

Concluding Thoughts 2. MISINTERPRETATIONThe meaning we assign to the things we observe may be culturally biased. For example, an American businessman meets an Austrian client for the

sixth time in six months. The Austrian continues to use the formal greeting Herr Smith [Mr Smith].

The American is confused and uncertain of the business relationship. Normally, professional relationships become less formal (i.e. greet each other on first name basis) as time goes by.

Concluding Thoughts 3. MISEVALUATIONJudging if something is good or bad, right or wrong. People tend to draw conclusions based on their own cultural biases.In the Austrian example, both men failed to appreciate reflect upon their own behaviour. The Austrian stayed in high context verbal communication. The American

stayed in low context communication.