Communicating across culture

Communicating Across Culture

-Ashok Vairavan

Globalization

• Opportunity to conduct business across the world.• Made us to work with people from different cultures..

Types of Cultural Contexts

• Low Context Culture– Explicit– Presented & received in a logical, linear sequence– Silence indicates uncomfortableness /

disagreement

• High Context Culture– Implicit– Unspoken word has rich meaning than spoken

word– Silence indicates acceptance / thinking– Avoids confrontation (Will never say “no)

Examples

High Context: We have some important visitors coming in today. It would reflect well on us if they are impressed by the orderliness of our office.

Low Context: Ashok, cleanup your desk. It is in total mess and we have clients coming in today.

High Context: It is somewhat cold today. Please close the window.

Low Context: Can you close that window before I get pneumonia.

5 Elements of Communication

Adjust your message for other culture to hear

Tailoring to suit audience

High Context Audience• Avoid being too direct or

contradict

• Use formal titles to address the person

• Be respectful of silence

• Use social and relational conversation

Low Context Audience• Be factual and direct

• Use casual speech patterns

• Speak up opposing view point

• Keep social conversation to minimum

Workout

• Chief Executive Officer Kim, I heard that you are very fond of playing golf. Perhaps you could tell me about local courses.

• I don’t want to waste your time, so I’ll get right to the point.

• Vice President Yi has presented a issue that is worth taking time to consider.

• I am leaving the country tomorrow, so I will need a definite answer by the end of today.

Questions

High Context Communication Technique

• Avoid being too direct or contradict

• Use formal titles to address the person

• Be respectful of silence

• Use social and relational conversation

Low Context Communication Technique

• Be factual and direct

• Speak up opposing view point

• Use casual speech patterns

• Keep social conversation to minimum