high and low context in detail with examples

1. High-context and low-
context cultures
PRESENTED TO= MISS HINA
PRESENTED BY= UZMA RANI

2. Different cultures, different
communication styles
 American people are believed to verbalize 150 things if they want to say
100 things (explicit understandings)
 When Japanese verbalize 70 things, they are trying to get other people
understand 100 things (implicit understandings and nonverbal cues )
 Different cultural communication rules and regulations

3. What is culture?
 Edward Tylor’s (1871)
 “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law,
custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society”

4. What is communication?
 Communication is the act of conveying meanings from one entity or group
to another through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and
semiotic rules.

5. What is context?
 The context is an extension of the background, the system
and circumstances in which there is an ongoing
communicative act

6. Factors for Context of a Situation
 Who are you communicating with?
 Where are you?
 What are you communicating about?
 Why are you communicating?

7. Some background
 1959, Edward T. Hall wrote the book “The Silent Language”
 Founded the field of intercultural communications
 First mention of “high and low context cultures”

8. COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR UNDERSTANDING
CULTURE
 High-context and Low-context Communication
 Refers to the degree to which speakers rely on factors other than explicit
speech to convey their messages

9. Significance
 Edward Hall believes that knowing the characteristics of high- and low-
context cultures is a key aspect for a successful conduct of communicative
acts

10. Where to find high-context and low
context cultures?
 Low context cultures- mainly cultures with Western European roots (North
America, Austrailia etc.)
 High context cultures- everywhere else
 Can also exist within companies, social groups etc.
 Both can exist simultaneously within a group

12. Comparison
High-context culture
 Communication is implicit; nonverbal
cues (body language, facial
expressions) and other factors (tone
of voice, relationship to one another
etc.) take precedence
 More emphasis on word choice
 Many things are left unsaid, is only
understood by members of the
culture/group
Low-context culture
 Communication is explicit; mainly
relies on written or spoken word
 Less emphasis on word choice
 Everything is mentioned properly and
explicitly

13. Cont….
 Relationships are formed slowly and
are built to last
 Responsibility to understand falls
upon the receiver
 More focus on collectivism and
togetherness
 Use of intuition and feelings
 Strong distinction between in
group and out group
 Relationships are formed quickly and
can be ended quickly
 Responsibility falls upon the sender
 More focus on the individual
 Rely on facts and evidence
 Flexible and open

14. Examples
 In Chinese culture, it is common for the hostess at a dinner party to serve
the guest less food. It is seen as a compliment for the guest to ask for
more. This also prevents the guest from losing face if he does not like the
food. ( high context culture)
 Germans are observed to recap their presentations after they have
presented. This is a common practice for them. They don’t rely on
nonverbal cues.

15. Question for audience?
 French people feel that German insult their intelligence by explaining the
obvious, while German feel that the French manager don’t provide any
directions.