Communication Between Cultures

1. Communication Between Cultures More than language...

2. 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!

3. Song keren zou • a custom • it has meaning (not doing it also has meaning) • what gives it meaning? Culture

4. An iceberg! What is culture? clothing customs etiquette music visible literature history invisible values attitudes feelings patterns

5. The reason: Example: forms of address Calling the teacher by their first name (common in American colleges) • reduce social distance • allow freer communication

6. Visible or invisible? • When should you say “thankyou”? • What is friendship? • Are women better than men? • When should gifts be given? • Do old people deserve respect? visible invisible invisible visible invisible

7. Context • Context is the situation in which language occurs: • physical location • relationship between people • shared knowledge (culture, memories, etc) • reason for communication • gestures • behaviour

8. 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

9. 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?

10. High/low context cultures High Low Japan China America Germany

11. 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.

12. 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!”

13. Another example A trade fair in Beijing George Hall: an American businessman Mr. Li: manager of a Chinese company

14. 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.

15. 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.