Lesson 2.

b
Verbal communication and
Culture
CULTURAL DIVISION – ENGLISH DEPARTMENT – HANOI UNIVERSIT Y
JANUARY, 2021
Contents
1. Functions of language across cultures
2. Verbal communication styles: Low-context and High-context
 Communication and
culture

Culture is communication and communication is culture (Hall,

1959)
Communication and culture

Culture determines how we view ourselves, how we behave.

Culture influences our communication habits and preferences.
Culture influences the whole spectrum of communication:
linguistic influence, movements, conceptions and the use of
time…
Verbal & non-verbal
communication
Verbal communication involves the use of words or speech or auditory
language to express emotions or thoughts or exchange information.
Non-verbal communication involves the use of visual or non-verbal
cues such as facial expressions, eye or body movements, gestures, and
many more without speaking.
1. Functions of
languages
across cultures
Cultural worldview function:

ways of perceiving the world

(outlook) and how this outlook
affects our thinking and reasoning
patterns.
2. Functions of languages across
cultures.
a. Social reality function: language serves as a mirror reflecting value
priorities
b. Cognitive shaping function: how our thinking pattern is shaped by
the grammatical structure
c. Group identity function: speaking the same language evoking group
sentiment and shared identity
d. Social change function: changes of the society reflected in new
words added to our everyday vocabulary.
2. Functions of languages across
cultures.
a. Social reality function: language serves as a mirror reflecting
value priorities. English speakers:
❖ use explicit pronouns: I, you, my to express an opinion
❖ use “self” in daily English: self-service, self-help, self-made,
self- importance, self-interest, self-regard.
→Individualistic value.
2. Functions of languages across
cultures.
b. Cognitive shaping function: what we think and how our thinking
pattern is shaped by the grammatical structure of our language
system.
The grammatical structure is entirely culture-based.
E.g. In English: future → “will”
In Spanish: future → “may” -→ an unknown in time and
space.
2. Functions of languages across
cultures.
c. Group identity function: speaking the same language evoking
group sentiment and shared identity
E.g. African Americans speak Ebonics
Hawaiian Pidgin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRB2QXMREmk
2. Functions of languages across
cultures.
d. Social change function: changes of the society reflected in new
words added to our everyday vocabulary.
❖ Technology development: texting, google, facetime
❖ Sexist in language: mankind, businessman, fireman
→ humankind, businessperson, firefighter….
❖ Food: pho, banh my, taco, pizza……………….
3. Verbal communication styles: Low-
context and High Context interaction
patterns
Low-context communication: the emphasis is on how intention or
meaning is expressed through explicit verbal messages.
High-context communication: the emphasis is on how intention or
meaning can best be conveyed through the embedded contexts (e.g.,
social roles or positions, relationship types, intergroup history) and the
nonverbal channels of the verbal message (e.g., pauses, silence, tone
of voice).
 Complaining in a low context
KALENE (knocks on her neighbor’s screen door): Excuse me, it’s past 11 o’clock already, and
your loud music and dancing around are really disturbing my sleep. Please stop your jumping
and banging around right away! I have an important job interview tomorrow morning, and I want
to get a good night’s sleep. Some of us do need to pay rent!
KAINOA (resentfully): Well, this is the only time I can rehearse! I have an important audition
coming up tomorrow. You’re not the only one that’s starving, you know. I also need to pay my
rent. Stop being so petty!
KALENE (frustrated): I really think YOU’RE being VERY ANNOYING and INTRUSIVE! There is an
apartment noise ordinance, you know. And if you don’t stop banging around immediately, I’m
going to fi le a complaint with the apartment manager and he could evict you . . .
KAINOA (sarcastically and turning up the music louder): Whatever! Do what you want. I’m going
to practice as loud as I want. Don’t bother to ask for my autograph when I become a Hollywood
star!
 Complaining in a high context

MRS. TRAN: Hello, Mrs. Nguyen. . . . Your son Minh-Ha is entering his high
school karaoke contest, isn’t he? I envy you, because you must be so proud
of his talent. You must be looking forward to his future as a pop singer. . . .
I’m really impressed by his enthusiasm— every day, he practices so hard, for
hours and hours, until late at night . . .
MRS. NGUYEN: Oh, I’m so sorry . . . Minh-Ha is just a beginner in karaoke
singing. We don’t know his future yet. . . . He is such a silly boy singing so
late. We didn’t realize you can hear all the noise next door. I’ll tell him to stop
right away. I’m so sorry about all your trouble, it won’t happen again.
3. Verbal communication styles -
Low context vs high context
Low Context Culture Patterns High Context Culture Patterns
Individualistic values Collectivistic values
Linear logic Spiral logic
Direct verbal style Indirect verbal style
Matter of fact tone Understated or animated tone
Informal verbal style Formal verbal style

Verbal assertiveness or Verbal reticence or silence

talkativeness
Verbal self-enhancement style Self-humbling style
Country examples
Low context High context
Germany Saudi Arabia
USA Japan
Switzerland Kuwait
Canada China
Sweden Mexico
UK S. Korea
Denmark Nigeria
Australia Vietnam
Check your communication styles
Do you find irritating when you interact with individuals who:
1. Not answering questions directly 7. Speaking slowly
2. Talking bluntly 8. Speaking really fast
3. Insisting on calling you Ms. or Mr. 9. Asking personal questions
4. Making a request directly 10. Speaking softly
5. Using lots of silence in 11. Speaking loudly
conversation 12. Constantly apologizing
6. Talking about themselves
constantly
3.1. Language use: verbal
communication styles
Communication style refers to how language is used to communicate
meaning. Four communication styles were identified by William
Gudykunst and Stella Ting-Toomey (1988) :
(1) direct/indirect,
(2) elaborate/succinct,
(3) personal/contextual,
(4) instrumental/affective
(1). Direct/indirect verbal styles
A direct communication style : An indirect communication style
Reveal the speaker’s intentions True intentions or needs are only
with clarity and frank tone of implied or hinted with a softer
voice. tone.
Be more in individualistic Be more in collectivistic
cultures. cultures.
Give me your bottom line! Ask for favor in a more implicit
What’s your point? way to avoid being imposing or
demanding.
(2). Elaborate/succinct
communication styles
The elaborate style involves the use of rich, expressive, and
embellished language in everyday conversation.
E.g Comment: ‘she is so thin that she can walk between rain drops
without getting wet
The succinct communication style involves understatement,
simple assertions and even silence are valued.
E.g:
(3). Personal/contextual
communication styles
Personal style amplifies the individual identity of the speaker. Person-centred
communication tends to be informal and is reflected by the use of the
pronoun ‘I’. This style is often used in individualistic cultures
E.g: In English, there is only one first personal singular pronoun ‘I’
Contextual communication style is oriented by status and role. This style is
often used in collectivist cultures. Formality and power distance are often
emphasized.
E.g: In Japanese there exists an elaborate system of linguistic forms used to
communicate respect to people of different ranks or social status.
(4). Instrumental/affective
communication styles
Instrumental style is goal-oriented and sender-focused. The
speaker uses communication to achieve an outcome.
Affective communication style is receiver-focused and process-
oriented
E.g: in an organization where the boss explicitly tells a
subordinate what to do and why, communication is instrumental.
3. Self-enhancement and self-
humbling styles
Self-enhancement Self- humbling
Emphasize one’s self with Emphasize the importance of
accomplishments and special
abilities. downplay oneself via modest
talk, restraint, hesitation, and the
In Swiss, the USA: sell
use of self-deprecation message.
themselves and boast about
their achievements.
4. Beliefs expressed in Talk and
Silence
1. Is the Silence positive or negative? → It is contextual.
In Japan, it is more positive. It is a sign of respect
In Finland, it conveys engagement.
In Africa, it means enjoyment, or the notions that you want to hear.
In North America and in Spain, it carries negative meaning such as
confusion, disinterest, shame or distrust.
2. Is silence common in a culture’s communication style?
→ It is more common in high-context cultures.
3. Are there Multiple possible meaning for silence?
→ Yes . It depends on other non-verbal cues.
Conclusion
Reference
Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2012). Understanding intercultural
communication. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
https://www.rw-3.com/blog/conversational-silence-the-modern-art-of-
cross-culture-business-communication