How Important Is the Language in Low-Context and High-Contex Cultures - Research Paper Example

Culture Table of Contents Introduction 1 Low Context Culture 2 High Context Culture 3 Language 4 Language Barriers 5 Misunderstanding 6 Language as Status 6 Conclusion 9 Reference 10 Bibliography 10 Introduction Prior to the discussions of the importance of the language in low context culture and high context culture, it is necessary to understand the concept of ‘low context culture’ and ‘high context culture’. The famous anthropologist, Edward T Hall had contributed significantly towards the usage of both these concepts. He had presented it in his renowned book ‘Beyond Culture’. Understanding these cultures helps the individuals or the groups to remove the communication barriers prevalent in between the individuals, belonging from different cultures as it enable people to determine the tendencies of different culture and educate their self accordingly. Low Context Culture Mr. Edward had described low context culture in respect to ‘in-group’. The meaning of in-group had been denoted by the author as the discrete group which has similar expectations and experiences, and inferences can also be drawn from such explanation. Low context culture indicates the tendency of a culture to not to cater towards any particular group. This kind of culture can be observed in USA, Canada, German, France, Scandinavia and other countries. In most of these countries, it has been found that use of similar expectations and experiences are much lower. Instead of context, these countries are usually involved in increased use of words and verbalisation to explain any concept. High Context Culture High context culture primarily indicates the tendency of a culture to exercise high context message. In this case, the selection of the communication style is interpreted into a culture that caters towards a group. Being a group, they always possess similar kind of expectation and experience. Many things has been unsaid in this culture, they let the culture explained all those messages. In this context of communication, the words and the selection of words for expressing something plays a vital role. It is because, having similar experience among the group members reduces the usage of more words and few words can effectively explain a complex message. Here, lies the difference between the high context culture and the low context culture. The later one is more open or explicate and significance of a single word. Basically, it has been identified that the culture having a strong background and well-built sense of tradition is tend to correlate with the higher context culture. This kind of culture has been found in the countries like Japan, China, Russia and France among other nations. Concept of these cultures is very relativistic. Culture of different origins in a country or region can be weighed among them and can be considered as the high or low culture accordingly. For an example, culture of al Canadians can not be considered as lower context culture straight away. According to the origin, such as English, French or Spanish, it can be compares. Culture of French Canadian may possess higher context than the English Canadian but lower than the Spanish. Therefore, it can be stated that within the higher or the lower context also, relativity is possible. Language Language can be considered as the tool of the communicating system which indicates the use of sounds, words and symbols to express the view, thought and ideas. Uses of language can be of any form as it may be oral and written. The applications of these two forms are widely used in both formal and informal communication process but there is another type of language which is basically used in informal communication system and is known as body language. Normally the difference lies in languages through the country boundary, population culture and demographics. Each country possesses a unique style of language through the mixture of combined culture, environment and other factors. Even those countries that habitually speak in a same language, they also use different words, accents and mannerisms (UniXL, “What is a Language?”). Language plays important role in the cultural difference because language is the ultimate medium to understand the views of both the parties as both of them do not possess the similar mentality or experience. There are various aspects which should consider while describing the importance of language for high and low context culture. Language Barriers Language barriers implies when flow of communication has been interrupted due to the non understanding of the language from both the sides. This problem arises when the parties are belonging from different regions and do not know other’s languages apart from the mother tongue, not even English. English has been considered as the international language. Importance of having an international language is to reduce the language barriers. At the age of globalisation, a person may have to travel at any place of the world or may have to communicate with the citizen of any country. It is not possible for any one to learn any language and here lies the importance of the international language. There are many countries that do not use English while communicating with the citizens of other countries. Most of the develop countries do so. They usually take help of the interpreters. In case of low as well as high context cultures, language plays a vital role as it is already discussed that language is a process of expressing thoughts and ideas. Persons belonging to low context culture use more words to express their views where as persons related with high context culture usually remains silent assuming that unarticulated things will be understood by others because of the similar understanding they have. Misunderstanding Misunderstanding between two person can take place may be due to certain activities or statements. Here, the later option falls under the language problem. A spoken words or a statement can create huge misunderstanding. Within a group, it has been seen very often where among the groups or out side a group, possibilities of misunderstanding is very high. Same is applicable for the different cultures also. This can happen because of the language problems, nature of the person, the culture from where she / he belong or usage and selection of words while speaking. Even body language has a significant role in this respect. Humour is another important aspect which may create misunderstanding. The way of cracking a joke in both the culture may be significantly different. A joke cracked by an individual of low context culture may seem to be uninteresting and over-explained to the individual of a high context culture. Language as Status There are lot many countries (such as China and Russia) who prefers to talk in their own language. For theses countries, speaking in their own language is a symbol of status. The other countries, like Australia, India, usually give more priority to speak in English. According to them, adapting the language of English increases their status. As it has been already stated that countries like China use translators or interpreters while participating in any global event and they feel proud while speaking in their own language. It has been found that the citizens of the countries that adopt English language as the medium of writing and communicating are settled in every corner of the world where as the others are mainly condensed in their own country. Now, with few examples the importance of the language can be understood in the high and low context cultures. Situation 1 Suppose a person belonging to USA visit Japan for the purpose of business. The culture prevailed in both countries differs widely. Japanese mostly use their mother tongue while communicating with the other citizens and even if they speak in English, it is different from the US English. Apart from that body language of both the individuals would be different. For an example, Americans basically maintains eye contact while talking with someone but in Japanese culture, such act is considered as an activity of arrogant. Therefore, apart from the language problems, misunderstanding might erupt in between them. Situation 2 A group of students in Melbourne University, in which most of them are Australian, also comprise of few Italian students. Suppose, one of the Australian student cracks a joke. Everyone present out there positively react on that except the Italians. Because, to the Italians that particular joke might be over explained or uninteresting like that of the Russians belonging from a high context culture. Conclusion Culture and language has an indestructible bonding. High and low context culture has different dimensions towards the use of language. Low context culture has a positive attitude towards the selection of words where as the value of words is low to the individuals of the high context culture. Due to the cultural differences, various issues have been raised in the communication process, such as language barriers and misunderstanding. The nature of the activities and speaking is completely different in both these types of culture. Because of the globalisation world has become a small place to live in and every one may have to travel and visit any country and there starts the communication problems. These issues can be removed to some extent through adaptability. Basically, an individual belonging from high context culture needs to adapt or must possess room for bringing changes while sifting to low context culture but the same is not applicable for the low context culture as their nature is much more explicit and they prefer to work independently anywhere. Reference UniXL, “What is a Language?” June 30, 2010. Education. No Date. < http://www.unixl.com/dir/education/languages/language_definition/> Bibliography Kramsch, C. Language and culture. Oxford University Press, 1998. Mooij, M. K. D. Global Marketing and Advertising: Understanding Cultural Paradoxes. SAGE, 2009. Samovar, L, A & Et.Al. Communication Between Cultures. Cengage Learning, 2009. Sapir, E. Language. BiblioBazaar, LLC, 2008. Read More