Intercultural CommunicationCharacteristics of Culture And Edward T. Hall’s Context and Time OrientationsCharacteristics of CultureCulture is… Learned Proverbs Folktales Art Mass Media Shared Transmitted from Generation to Generation Based on Symbols Verbal Nonverbal Dynamic You never step twice into the same river. US strives for freedom and equality. Different movements have occurred over time to assist the same values. Systemic Hall: “You touch culture in one place and everything else is affected.” Language, Identity, People, Values, Laws, Etc.Anthropologist Edward T. Hall: High Context vs. Low Context Orientation “A high context communication or message is one in which the information is already in the person, while very little is in the coded, explicitly transmitted part of the message. A low contextcommunication is just the opposite; i.e., the mass of the information is vested in the explicit code.”High Context American Indian, Latin American, Japanese, Arab, Chinese, African American, and Korean Meaning doesn’t have to be stated in words People are more homogenous. Similar experiences, networks, rules Found in more traditional cultures Consistent messages have received consistent responses in the social environment Information is provided through inference, gestures, and silence Can express and interpret feelings without verbally stating them More reliant on and tuned into non-verbal communication Meaning can be conveyed through status Age Sex Education Family Background How something is said is more important than what is said.Low Context German, Swiss, Scandinavian, North American Population is less homogenous Lack of large pool of common experience (or as much anyway) The verbal communication takes precidence over the context and participants; Reliance on words The message is in WHAT was said. We expect people to SAY it. “If you’ve got somethin’ to say, well then just come out and say it!” “Stop beating around the bush.” Verbal communication is more direct and explicit.Intercultural Moments High Context Cultures value silence more and sometimes view people from low-context cultures as “talkative and less intelligent.” Indonesian saying: “Empty cans clatter the loudest.” Low Context Cultures value explicit instruction and sometimes view people from high-context cultures as “evasive, rude, or clueless.” Conflicts styles are very different Low Context: Let’s talk it out. High Context: Let’s deal with it discreetly and quietly.Monochronic vs. Polychronic Time Orientation People organize time differently and it influences intercultural interactionsMonochronic Time Linear and Segmented  “Time is money” Do one thing at a time Take time commitments (one at a time appts) Generally low context Adhere to plans Are concerned about privacy Are accustomed to short-term relationships Live and die by their watches “Oh…I know he is not twenty minutes late!” “The prof has 10 minutes---then we’re gone!” Germany, Austria, Switzerland and USPolychronic Time Do many things at once Time is an objective, but if it doesn’t happen, eh! Generally more high context Are committed to people and relationships—take the time you need to live harmoniously Change plans often and easily Base promptness on relationship Have tendency to build lifetime relationships Arab, African, Indian,