高低语境 跨文化交际.pdf

1Highcontextculture（高语境文化）：

Culturesinwhichlesshastobesaidorwrittenbecausemoreofthemeaningisinthephysical
environmentoralreadysharedbypeoplearelabeledhigh（在高语境文化中，context.在人们交际时，
有较多的信息量或者蕴涵在社会文化环境和情景中，或者内化于交际者的心中；相对地讲，明
显的语码则负载较少的信息量。这也意味着，在强交际环境文化的人们对微妙的环境提示较为
敏感。）

Lowcontextculture（低语境文化）：

Culturesinwhichlittleofthemeaningisdeterminedbythecontextbecausethemessageisencodedin
theexplicitcodearelabeledlowcontext.（在低语境文化中，交际过程中所产生的信息量的大部
分由显性的语码负载，相对地讲，只有少量的信息蕴涵在隐性的环境和情景中。这也意味着，
在低语境文化中的人们习惯用语言本身的力量来进行交际。）

2GeneralIntroductiontoHigh-contextandLow-contextCultures

AnthropologistEdwardT.Hall’stheoryofhigh-andlow-contextculturehelpsusbetterunderstandthe
powerfuleffectculturehasoncommunication.Akeyfactorinhistheoryiscontext.Thisrelatestothe
framework,background,andsurroundingcircumstancesinwhichcommunicationoraneventtakes
place.
High-contextcultures(includingmuchoftheMiddleEast,Asia,Africa,andSouthAmerica)are
relational,collectivist,intuitive,andcontemplative.Thismeansthatpeopleinthesecultures
emphasizeinterpersonalrelationships.Developingtrustisanimportantfirststeptoanybusiness
transaction.AccordingtoHall,theseculturesarecollectivist,preferringgroupharmonyandconsensus
toindividualachievement.Andpeopleintheseculturesarelessgovernedbyreasonthanbyintuition
orfeelings.Wordsarenotsoimportantascontext,whichmightincludethespeaker’stoneofvoice,
facialexpression,gestures,—andpostureeventheperson’sfamilyhistoryandstatus.
AJapanesemanagerexplainedhisculture’scommunicationstyletoanAmerican:―Wearea
homogeneouspeopleanddon’thavetospeakasmuchasyoudohere.Whenneword,wesayweo
understandten,buthereyouhavetosaytentounderstandone.High-contextcommunicationtendsto
bemoreindirectandmoreformal.Flowerylanguage,humility,andelaborateapologiesaretypical.
Low-contextcultures(includingNorthAmericaandmuchofWesternEurope)arelogical,linear,
individualistic,andaction-oriented.Peoplefromlow-contextculturesvaluelogic,facts,anddirectness.
Solvingaproblemmeansliningupthefactsandevaluatingoneafteranother.