Communication in High-Context Cultures

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Questions and Answers

What behavior is often preferred in high-context cultures to avoid shame?

Indirect communication is preferred to avoid outright disagreement.

In which types of cultures is individual autonomy and self-expression prioritized over maintaining others' face?

Individualist cultures, such as the USA and UK, prioritize personal autonomy.

How do low-context cultures typically handle apologies?

Apologies are straightforward and direct, without elaborate rituals.

Describe the emphasis of positive-face-oriented cultures.

They focus on social approval and warmth, valuing being liked and admired. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of losing face in hierarchical cultures?

Losing face is particularly serious for individuals in higher positions and can damage their authority. Signup and view all the answers

In egalitarian cultures, how is face managed during criticism?

Criticism may be acceptable if it is delivered constructively, regardless of rank. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'saving face' mean in Chinese culture?

'Saving face' involves protecting one's dignity and maintaining social harmony. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of non-verbal cues in high-context cultures?

Non-verbal cues and indirect language are often used to convey implicit messages. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lakoff's principle of 'Be clear' prioritize in communication?

It prioritizes clarity over politeness. Signup and view all the answers

How does the principle of 'Be polite' affect communication?

It fosters goodwill and maintains social harmony by considering the listener's feelings and reducing imposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common dilemma when applying both 'Be clear' and 'Be polite'?

Being clear can be seen as blunt, while being overly polite can lead to vagueness. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how to apply the principle 'Don’t Impose' in a conversation.

Instead of saying 'Pass me the salt,' say 'Could you pass me the salt, please?' Signup and view all the answers

What is the Generosity Maxim, and provide an example?

The Generosity Maxim suggests minimizing benefit to oneself while maximizing benefit to others. An example is saying, 'Let me handle this for you.' Signup and view all the answers

What does the Tact Maxim emphasize in communication?

It emphasizes minimizing imposition while maximizing benefit to the listener. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the purpose of the Approbation Maxim with an example.

The Approbation Maxim aims to minimize criticism and maximize praise. For instance, saying 'This report is well-done, though a few areas could use some tweaking' instead of criticizing directly. Signup and view all the answers

How can a speaker make the hearer feel good in a conversation?

By offering positive reinforcement or compliments, such as 'You’ve done such a great job on this project.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of giving options in communication?

It ensures that the listener does not feel pressured to comply. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Modesty Maxim entail, and how can it be articulated?

The Modesty Maxim encourages minimizing self-praise and maximizing self-criticism. A way to express it is by saying, 'I could have done better, but I’m glad the results are useful.' Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Agreement Maxim and give an example of its application.

The Agreement Maxim suggests minimizing disagreement and maximizing agreement. For example, saying 'I see your point, but perhaps we could also consider...' instead of outright disagreement. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of context in balancing clarity and politeness.

The context dictates whether to prioritize clarity or politeness, affecting how messages are constructed. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Sympathy Maxim play in communication?

The Sympathy Maxim focuses on minimizing antipathy and maximizing sympathy, as shown in the example 'I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Let me know how I can help.' Signup and view all the answers

How do politeness principles maintain social harmony in communication?

Politeness principles maintain social harmony by facilitating smooth and conflict-free interactions, fostering mutual respect and understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'face needs' in the context of politeness?

Face needs refer to the requirements individuals have to be liked (positive face) and to maintain their autonomy (negative face). Signup and view all the answers

What are implicatures, and how do they relate to politeness strategies?

Implicatures are implied meanings that go beyond literal utterances, which often occur in politeness strategies to convey respect or avoid offense. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the politeness strategy used in the coffee shop dialogue and explain its key features.

The strategy used is Negative Politeness. Key features include politeness markers like 'Excuse me' and 'please', as well as indirect phrasing to lessen the imposition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of compliments in the manager's dialogue with the team member?

Compliments serve to satisfy the team member's positive face, making them feel valued before requesting additional work. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Off-Record Strategy used by the friend hinting about being hungry.

The strategy involves indirect hinting, allowing the friend to suggest dinner readiness without making a direct request. Signup and view all the answers

Analyze the politeness strategy used when Speaker A asks for the ketchup. What could be improved?

The strategy is Direct Politeness, but it could be improved by adding a polite marker like 'please' for a softer tone. Signup and view all the answers

In the second exercise, what is an appropriate way for a student to ask for an extension using politeness strategies?

The student could say, 'I hope it's not too much trouble, but could I please get an extension on the deadline?' Signup and view all the answers

What approach should a friend take when asking for help with moving furnishings?

The friend might say, 'Would you mind helping me move some furniture this weekend? I would really appreciate it!' Signup and view all the answers

Rewrite the direct command 'Close the door' using appropriate politeness strategies.

'Could you please close the door when you get a chance?' Signup and view all the answers

Discuss how using indirect strategies can benefit social interactions.

Indirect strategies reduce pressure on the listener and allow for a more comfortable conversation atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Negative Face Threat (NFT) in the context of workplace communication?

An NFT occurs when someone's freedom of action or personal space is intruded upon, such as when a manager demands tasks without regard for a subordinate's autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

How does direct criticism in a meeting impact a colleague's Positive Face?

Direct criticism undermines a colleague's self-image and can make them feel unvalued, thus threatening their Positive Face. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one way to mitigate face threats when requesting aid from a neighbor.

A possible mitigation could be saying, 'If it’s not too much trouble, could I borrow your notes?' instead of directly asking. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of an action that poses a threat to someone's Positive Face in a cultural context.

A Western tourist directly asking an Indonesian vendor for a discount threatens the vendor's Positive Face due to local norms of respectful bargaining. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential impact of ignoring someone’s contributions in a group discussion?

Ignoring contributions can make the person feel unimportant or excluded, threatening their Positive Face. Signup and view all the answers

How can a manager's demeanor affect subordinates' Negative Face in communication?

If a manager gives orders without polite requests, it can infringe on their subordinates' personal space, thus threatening their Negative Face. Signup and view all the answers

What role does cultural awareness play in managing FTAs during cross-cultural interactions?

Cultural awareness helps individuals navigate face threats effectively by understanding and respecting different norms and values. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common example of a Positive Face Threat (PFT) that might occur in professional settings?

Criticism or derogatory remarks, such as 'You did a terrible job on that report,' can serve as a Positive Face Threat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern of someone's negative face?

The primary concern of someone's negative face is the desire to be autonomous and free from imposition. Signup and view all the answers

How does a request like 'Could you do this now?' represent a negative face threat?

This request imposes on someone's time, which can undermine their sense of autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the difference between minimalizing and mitigating FTAs in communication.

Minimalizing FTAs involves reducing the occurrence of FTAs, while mitigating FTAs focuses on softening the impact of unavoidable FTAs. Signup and view all the answers

What strategies are commonly used in minimalizing FTAs?

Strategies include avoiding directness, using politeness, and rephrasing statements. Signup and view all the answers

How do high-context cultures typically handle FTAs?

High-context cultures emphasize indirect communication and politeness, minimizing FTAs by avoiding direct confrontation. Signup and view all the answers

In what way do low-context cultures express acceptance of FTAs?

Low-context cultures value directness and clarity, often accepting FTAs as a normal part of communication. Signup and view all the answers

How does the relationship between FTAs and cultures impact communication dynamics?

The interplay between FTAs and cultures affects how individuals perceive, handle, and minimize face threats based on differing norms and values. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome does mitigating FTAs aim to achieve in communication?

Mitigating FTAs aims to repair potential or actual face damage through justification or hedging. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Be Clear

Prioritizes clarity and directness, focusing on conveying information efficiently. Example: 'Read chapter three and submit your summary by Friday.'

Be Polite

Prioritizes maintaining social harmony and respect by considering the listener's feelings and face needs. Example: 'Would you mind taking a quick look at my report if you're not too busy?'

Clarity vs. Politeness

The balance between being clear and polite. Effective communication involves adjusting language based on context and audience.

Don't Impose

Respecting the listener's personal space and autonomy by minimizing requests and offering choices. Example: 'Could you pass me the salt, please?' instead of 'Pass me the salt.'