【跨文化交流-外教】8 - Communication Styles - direct and indirect.ppt

“What people say, how they say it, what they don’t say -- and especially what they mean by what they say -- are all deeply affected by culture.” -Craig Storti Communication Styles High Context/Indirect Vs. Low Context/Direct Main Question… How much of the meaning of a statement comes from the setting (context)? Or how much from the words chosen? High Context/Indirect Meaning of the message comes more from the context/setting than it does from the direct words spoken. Low Context/Direct Meaning of the message comes from the words that are spoken. High Context/Indirect People tend to infer, suggest, and imply rather than say things directly (This is how it appears to people from low context/direct cultures) Cultures tend to be more collectivist where harmony and saving face are the greatest goods (This results in the natural tendency to avoid confrontation) Because of the in-groups of collectivist cultures, members have in intuitive understanding of each other Indirect/High Context (cont.) As a rule, people don’t need to spell things out or say very much to get their message across This intuitive understanding is known as context Messages often don’t need words to be expressed. The message is often expressed in terms of what is not said or done. The goal of most communication is preserving and strengthening the relationship with the other person Direct/Low Context Tend to be less collectivist and more individualist, with less developed in-groups People lead more independent lives and have fewer shared experiences This results in a less instinctive understanding of others People need to spell things out and be more explicit Direct/Low Context (cont.) People need to say exactly what they mean rather than merely suggest or imply their meaning There is less context, less that can be taken for granted The spoken word carries most of the meaning You should not read anything into what is not said or done The goal of most communication exchanges is getting or givin