Culture

is linked to communication and a wide range of human experience including feelings, identity and sense-making provides people with different ways of thinking, seeing, hearing and interpreting the world

involves a number of man-made, collective artefacts and is shared by the members of a social group is something that shapes ones behaviour or structures ones perception of the world

Culture and Communication

Culture is often defined in interrelation to communication: "Culture is communication and communication is culture.

Culture is passed on via communication and communication reflects ones culture

Hall, 2000

Cultural factors
Behaviour is not only affected by culture but also by other factors such as
organizational norms education age social class

each of these factors can be understood and manifested in a cultural context

while communicating we use different cultural habits and meaning systems

Intercultural Communication
is a research field that studies how people from different cultural backgrounds communicate with each other is an instrument which transmits a certain meaning, composes and reinforces identity and expresses feelings is an instrument to connect with others

Constraints for intercultural understanding

cognitive constraints
the frame of reference or world-view which provides a backdrop that all new information is compared to or inserted into

behaviour constraints
each culture has its own rules concerning proper behaviour which affect verbal and nonverbal communication

emotional constraints
different cultures regulate the display of emotions differently. Some cultures get very emotional while others try to keep their emotions hidden
Ting-Toomey, 1999

low- and high-context settings

low-context settings
screens its direct attention more to the literal meanings of words and less to the context surrounding the words we say what we mean, and mean what we say leaves few space for interpretation of the explicit message

high-context settings
are designed to let in implied meanings arising from the physical setting, relations or shared understandings nonverbal signals are used to infer, imply, insinuate or deliver messages that we want to transmit indirectly

Hofstede, 2002

Individual Strategy
Depending on the kind of relationship, the situation and the purpose of communication the low- and high-context communication, used as an individual strategy, may be more or less explicit and direct.

Low- and high-context communication are not only individual strategies, but may be used to understand cultural groups

Hofstede, 2002

Low- and high-context-culture

Low-context-culture High-context-culture
values the collectivists goals merges person and issue relies on contextual cues and situational knowledge uses implicit references and indirect speech masks its emotions collectivist cultures tend to use high-context communication values the individualists goals separates person and issue is confrontational uses logic-deductive thinking and explicit codes of speech expresses emotional information through facial expressions, tone of voice and body movements individualist cultures tend to gravitate towards low-context starting points

Hofstede, 2002

Situational Factors
most people use a mixture of low- and highcontext-communication

even in the most direct, low-context setting, implicit meanings will be conveyed
there are 3 factors that could affect the choice of direct or indirect communication in intercultural workplaces
cultural identity work status time urgency
Hall, 2000

Cultural Identity: Third Culture

intercultural communication takes place in a third culture

Part of third culture dynamics is the establishment of common communication rules

People take into account
the demand of situational characteristics the cultural identity of the other person the existence of shared intercultural norms

that are not necessarily the same as one's home culture.

Maletzke, 1996

low-context communicators interacting with high-context communicators

should be mindful that

building a good relationship can contribute to effectiveness over time and nonverbal messages and gestures may be as important as what is said status and identity may be communicated nonverbally and require appropriate acknowledgement

face-saving and tact may be important and need to be balanced with the desire to communicate fully and frankly
Hofstede www.idec.gr./mens

high-context communicators interacting with low-context communicators

should be mindful that

things can be taken at face value rather than as representative of layers of meaning roles and functions may be decoupled from status and identity efficiency and effectiveness may be served by a sustained focus on tasks direct questions and observations are not necessarily meant to offend, but to clarify and advance shared goals indirect cues may not be enough to get the attention Hofstede
www.idec.gr./mens

Work status
Individualists
dont alter their behaviour according to status value low power distance resulting in a more egalitarian approach

Collectivists
use more confrontational techniques when power and status increase tend to value high power distance or the unequal distribution of power

Hall, 2000

Time urgency
Monochronic
one task at a time efficient task performance need to save time and energy short-term framework, time is tangible stress caused by deadlines will increase directness and terseness as they tend to be achievementoriented and goal-driven

Polychronic
many task are handled simultaneously less emphasis on prioritising tasks and an approximate attitude to timeframes obscurer and less mindful of time constraints long-term perspective, time is fluid and flexible able to retain their composure and to draw on social support from other team members
Hall, 2000

Stereotypes
Stereotypes often reflect the differences in socioeconomic status, religion or dialect It is important to suspend judgement, avoid misconceptions, narrow perspectives and immature reactions Stereotypes often contain a grain of truth, but cannot characterize an entire culture Getting the whole picture of culture needs active participation

How to communicate effective

Desire
to communicate to connect with other humans to be proactive when approaching a new culture

Knowledge
knowing about other cultures will help to develop skills and to act in a way that respects these preferences

Stereotypes
reach beyond stereotypes

Conclusion
Intercultural competence means understanding what culture is and how it works Culture is not congenital, but adapted and modified by the individuals personality The knowledge about cultural concepts are useful to compare cultures that are relatively closed The various levels of culture show that culture can be seen as an onion-like construct Cultural understanding is a journey, that never finishes, because the process and the endpoints change constantly