Low and High Context Cultures

All cultures have a different way of communicating within them.  Some cultures exercise meekness and softness, while others are loud and blunt.  There is a wide variety of communication tactics in our world and it has become more important for all people to understand them.  Globalization is rising greatly making it almost crucial for us to understand different cultures and their communicative customs and behaviours.

Style of communication is a very important aspect as it helps us understand the perspective or meaning behind the words a person may be sharing with us.  Low and high context cultures are those which communicate differently with words.

Low context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.  Protocol in businesses emphasize that messages be conveyed clearly and efficiently. 

For example, in Canada if there is a younger person at a higher position/rank and an older person at a lower position, the younger person would have to give the older person duties to fulfill and it is normal to be in this situation for both people.  But in countries like India, it would be considered extremely rude and the younger person would be viewed as one with no manners and without a proper raising or family background.

High context cultures tend to be more intuitive and contemplative. Communicators pay attention to more than the words spoken.  They read in between the lines, as in focus on non-verbal cues.  For example, a Japanese communicator may say "yes" when he actually means "no".  His tone, the time taken to answer, facial expression, and body language would help you recognize a “no” from a “yes”.

   Low Context Cultures: German, Scandinavian, North American, English, French

   High Context Cultures: Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Arab, Greek, Mexican

 

Is your culture low context or HIGH context?