Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

we do not all interpret nonverbal behavior the same way.
One of Halls most essential contributions to the field of intercultural communication is the idea of
low-context and high-context cultures. The terms “low-context culture” (LCC) and “high-context culture”
(HCC) were created by Hall to describe how communication styles differ across cultures. In essence,
“in LCC, meaning is expressed through explicit verbal messages, both written and oral. In HCC, on the
other hand, intention or meaning can best be conveyed through implicit contexts, including gestures,
social customs, silence, nuance, or tone of voice.” 20 Table 6.1 further explores the differences between
low-context and high-context cultures. In Table 6.1, we broke down issues of context into three general
categories: communication, cultural orientation, and business.
Low-Context
High-Context
Communication
Type of Communication Explicit Communication Implicit Communication
Communication Focus Focus on Verbal Communication Focus on Nonverbal Communication
Context of Message Less Meaningful Very Meaningful
Politeness Not Important Very Important
Approach to People Direct and Confrontational Indirect and Polite
Cultural Orientation
Emotions No Room for Emotions Emotions Have Importance
Approach to Time Monochromatic Polychromatic
Time Orientation Present-Future Past
In/Out-Groups Flexible and Transient Grouping
Patterns
Strong Distinctions Between In and
Out-Groups
Identity Based on Individual Based on Social System
Values Independence and Freedom Tradition and Social Rules/Norms
Business
Work Style Individualistic Team-Oriented
Work Approach Task-Oriented Relationship-Oriented
Business Approach Competitive Cooperative
Learning Knowledge is Transferable Knowledge is Situational
Sales Orientation Hard Sell Soft Sell
View of Change Change over Tradition Tradition over Change
Table 6.1 Low-Context vs. High-Context Cultures
You may be wondering, by this point, how low-context and high-context cultures differ across
different countries. Figure 6.2 illustrates some of the patterns of context that exist in today’s world. 21
Interpersonal Communication 200