Cultural Clashes
3/29/2023 10:00:45 AM
Do you know?
- People with different cultural backgrounds communicate using different styles, including their language, words and gestures.
- The context in communication can change the way that communication flows, and it can also change the message and how it is interpreted.
Let's explore more in the following passage!
PREPARING TO READ
The words and phrases in bold below are used in the text "Cultural Clashes". Read the sentences and match the word or phrase to its definition.
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The police have been gathering evidence against him. He interpreted her comments as an implicit criticism of the government. Personality clashes led to the break-up of the band. He gave me very explicit directions on how to get there. Assign a different colour to each different type of information. There are no external symptoms of the disease for several weeks. |
(n.): the difference that exists between two things that are opposed to each other
(v.): to decide that something has a particular value or function
(adj.): suggested without being directly expressed
(adj.): connected with or located on the outside of something/somebody
(v.): to collect information from different sources
(adj.): communicated directly in a clear and exact way
Read and complete the tasks.
Cultural Clashes
Cultural clashes and misunderstandings occur most often from misinterpreting contextual information. Different cultures place varying degrees of emphasis on contextual information. Contextual information is gathered from the environment during communication.
There are generally two types of context cultures: high-context cultures and low-context cultures. High-context cultures, like those in Japan, China, or Arab countries, assign a lot of importance to the environment surrounding a message; consequently, the meaning of the message itself is often implicit. In order to understand what is being said, the speakers must first understand the situation and the participants’ relationship to each other. These cultures place less value on words, so words are used generously.
In contrast, low-context cultures, like Germany or America, place importance on the message itself, which must be quite explicit. For low-context speakers, communication is more detailed and specific, since external factors are not emphasized nearly as much. Every word is meaningful.
The effects of contextual differences are very apparent in the business world. For example, a business contract from Japan would tend to be short, since much of the information is implied and understood within the high-context Japanese culture. This culture would expect you to understand its “unwritten” rules. A contract from America, however, would not take anything for granted. It would tend to be longer and much more detailed. More explanation would be needed to make sure that there were no misunderstandings.
Source: Reading for the Real World 2
Mark each statement as either true (T) or false (F) according to the reading.
Cultural conflicts and miscommunications frequently arise due to misinterpretation of contextual information.
A conversation between Americans features explicit messages rather than implicit ones.
Contextual differences in the realm of business are barely discernible.
What can you know from the text?
- Business contracts from Eastern countries take more time to read than those from Western countries.
- In terms of communication, some Oriental countries attach more significance to underlying context, not just the words themselves.
- In high-context cultures, the choice of words and gestures is of great importance in conversations.
- Research on the customs of different cultures is the most effective solution to the misinterpretation of contextual information.
What can be inferred from the text?
- Differences in communication context always arise throughout the development process of each country.
- Western people tend to convey their thoughts and feelings more easily than Eastern ones.
- Newcomers to Eastern countries may find it difficult to fully understand some of the conversations there.
- The semantic aspect in low-context cultures is more complicated than in high-context ones.
What is the main idea of this text?
- Words as a useful communication tool regardless of contextual differences
- Contextual information and its impact on communication
- Origins of high-context cultures and low-context cultures around the world
- The occurrence of contextual differences in a variety of fields
Drag and drop to complete the summary.
Cultures differ in the importance they give to that is gathered from the surroundings during communication. For instance, in high-context cultures like Japan and China, is given to the surrounding environment while words have less importance. On the other hand, low-context cultures such as Germany and America importance on the message itself, and is more specific and detailed. The differences in context are evident in the business world where contracts from high-context cultures contain a lot of while those from low-context cultures are more detailed and longer.
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive idioms in the topic area of Culture & Society
Think of ONE word only which can be used appropriately in all three sentences
1. A young lion had strayed some distance from the _____.
2. She takes a lot of _____ in running such a successful business.
3. He was so confident in his abilities, but _____ comes before the fall, and he soon learned his lesson.
Answer:
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
He's a conservative, no matter what he says; a leopard can't change its spots.
- he will stay true to his nature
- he opposes sudden social change
- he is willing to adjust his character
- he insists on changing his mind
Mary: "Why were you talking to Katie? I thought you hated her."
Sam: "I'm trying to see if she has any dirt on me for the student council debate. Keep your _____ close and your _____ closer, right?"
- partners - rivals
- proponents - opponents
- friends - enemies
- allies - foes
Alex: We've got my boss, his boss, a freelance consultant, and the head of IT all involved in this project, and it's turning into a complete disaster!
Sam: Well, _____, after all!
- a stitch in time saves nine
- slow and steady wins the race
- let the cat out of the bag
- too many cooks spoil the broth