The theory that divides cultures into high-context and low-context was developed by Edward Hall. It is based on the difference between the use of verbal and nonverbal communication, and particular importance is given to the context during the interaction. At the same time, it is essential to realize that there are no cultures that belong strictly to one of the categories; thus, one community may have more characteristics of one of the species than the other. Defining the differences between high-context and low-context cultures is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of how these concepts affect the overall lifestyle of people.
The theory of culture is based on understanding how people use verbal and nonverbal communication. It should be noted that the main difference between a high-context culture is the reliance on context (DeVito 40). In other words, for representatives of this category, the tone and message of the transmitted message are essential. Countries with this culture include Japan, China, and France. On the other hand, people with a low-context culture are primarily valuable words; that is, they give more importance to what they are told than to how it is said. UK, Australia, and the United States have this characteristic feature of communication.
In conclusion, countries and peoples may differ not only in such cultural attributes as traditions, customs, or worldviews. Of particular importance is the division into high-context and low-context cultures. Representatives of the first type heavily rely on the context during a conversation, while carriers of the second type perceive the meanings of words directly. Understanding these differences provides a better understanding of the peculiarities of cultures and their daily life.
Work Cited
DeVito, Joseph A. “The Interpersonal Communication Book.” Instructor, vol. 1, 2019.