Culture and verbal communication

1. Culture and verbal communication

CULTURE AND VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Mgr. Zuzana Sándorová, PhD.

2. The concept of communication

Origins: Latin word communicare = ‘to make common’, i. e., sharing codes to reach
different communication goals, such as to fulfil tasks, exchange thoughts and knowledge.
Every single social interaction involves communication.
Communication as an academic discipline: deals with verbal and nonverbal symbols used to
share understanding and meaning.
Studied by other scientific fields: neurology, psychology, philosophy and anthropology,
which define communication according to their focus.
Liu et al. (2011): communication as the process of using verbal and nonverbal symbols,
systems and media in order to share information in a particular cultural setting.
This perception reveals the interrelation between culture and communication, as culture can
also be identified as a code that is learnt and shared within the process of communication
(Róka and Hochel, 2009).
Two types: verbal (spoken and written language) and nonverbal communication (body
language).

3. Language is fixed and context-free

, language´= ‘a set of abstract systems whose meaning reside in the forms
themselves rather than in the uses to which they are put’ (Hall, 2002, p. 7-8).
Noam Chomsky’s: language is governed by a fixed and context-free set of
principles.

4. The transformation

Over the last three decades: applied linguistics has extended its scope of
interest to such fields as linguistic anthropology and philosophy, communication,
cultural psychology and social theory;
Shift from the structure of isolated linguistic elements to language use in realworld settings.
Reconceptualization of language and culture, transformation of applied
linguistics.

5. Language and culture as inextricable phenomena

When participating in communicative activities, the linguistic symbols that we use with
others are conventionalized = developed by sociocultural communities of which we are
members. This perspective links culture inextricably to language.
Origins in the theory of Benjamin Whorf and Edward Sapir, the fathers of linguistic
relativism: the structural elements of specific languages used by members of particular
cultural groups reflect the worldview of these groups (1940, in Risager, 2006).
Dell Hymes (1972, in Malota and Ariel, 2013): language = a context-dependent social
activity.
Michael Halliday: ‘the essential role of the theory of language to explain the social
foundations of the language system’ (in Hall, ibid., p. 25-26, Malota and Ariel, ibid., Róka
and Hochel, ibid.).

6. Hall’s high-context and low-context theory

The reflection of culture in language and the impact of language on culture can
also be illustrated by Hall’s high-context and low-context theory (1996, in
Delgadová, 2010).
High-context cultures: the communication patterns and preferences have a
rather implicit character, relying on the context of the information and are hidden
in the physical setting or in beliefs, values, and standards.
Low-context cultures: the meaning is explicit and literal due to the elaborated
system of codes for developing and interpreting messages.

7. Direct and indirect communication style

The communication style used by members of a particular culture also shows
great variation across cultures.
Direct communication style: expressing the speaker’s thoughts, intentions, etc.,
explicitly; typical for Western culture;
Indirect communication style: the message is only implied and is to be decoded
by ‘reading between the lines’ and is preferred in high-context societies, e.g. Asian
cultures.

8. Eloquence elaborate and succinct communication style

Eloquence elaborate style: using rich and expressive language is more likely to be
used in low-context, Western cultures;
Succinct style: appreciating simple language and silence, can be identified in
high-context cultures.

9. Personal and contextual communication style

Personal style: typical for a culture, in which the stress is put on the individual and
their personal goals (Western countries);
Contextual style: the formality and status are highlighted more (Asian cultures).

10. Instrumental and affective communication style

Instrumental style: goal-oriented, preferred in low-context societies, where, for
example, orders are expressed directly and explicitly;
Affective style: process-oriented, preferred by high-context cultures taking into
consideration other people’s reactions (Liu et al, ibid.).

11. What different languages reveal about culture? (Reynolds and Valentine, 2004)

English = language of action:
1.
putting the subject in the first place in a sentence - the responsibility and central role
of people in the universe.
2.
key position of the verb amongst word classes: draws attention to the importance of
activities conducted by people,
3.
direct and indirect objects: who and what these activities are affected by.
4.
it uses ‘rational, linear, cause/effect thinking, anchored in space and time’ - reality is
measurable;
5.
frequent use of ‘I’ and ‘me’ – the role of individuals;
6.
English communicators prefer direct, explicit, rational and personal messages;

12. What different languages reveal about culture? (Reynolds and Valentine, 2004)

Asian languages:
1.
Languages of the Sino-Tibetan family do NOT believe in objective reality try to ‘capture impression, an overall emotional quality, and subjective,
experiential thinking’ (ibid., p. 59);
2.
Verbal communication is minimized;
3.
Silence is highly valued;
4.
‘I’ and ‘me’ are rarely used - speakers of Asian countries prefer indirect and
impersonal messages;

13. SUMMARY

1.
What do you know about the concept of communication?
2.
What was the focus of applied linguistics in the past and how has it changed?
3.
Explain how culture and language are mutually interrelated.
4.
How is communication different in low-context and high-context cultures?
5.
What communication styles are typical for them?
6.
What is the difference between: direct and indirect, eloquence elaborate and
succinct, personal and contextual, instrumental and affective communication
style?
7.
What does the English language reveal about English-speaking cultures?
8.
What can we learn about Asian cultures through their languages?

14. CONVERSATION STYLES

In many cultures, for example, Ireland, southern France and Italy, it is considered a sign
of positive polite interest to interrupt someone or to let turns in conversation overlap.
This is something which represents quite the opposite view to that held in many parts
of northern Europe and it can lead to serious intercultural misunderstandings.
Empirical studies show that there are significant differences in what are considered
normal pauses between turns in conversation. Long pauses in conversations are also
typical for some regions of northern Germany. C. Kerbrat-Orecchioni, La conversation
(1996), p.70ff.
Cultural standards such as these, of which most people are unaware, form cultural
conventions, expectations and attitudes and can easily be seriously misunderstood. For
this reason, French people may sometimes seem arrogant and dominant to German
(and other) partners in conversation as they allow others little time to think or
participate adequately. Similarly, Germans seem to French, Italians, etc. sometimes
boring or even uneducated or boorish as they allow opportunities to speak to pass
without taking advantage of them. Students should be aware of these and other
cultural standards.