Question

Explain the importance of understanding intercultural communication. Identify the role that context plays in communication, and include references to high-context and low-context cultures. Must be at least 250 words.

Answer 1

Many different employees work together to achieve a shared objective, so intercultural communication means that the verbal or written messages that are being exchanged among people and employees of different cultural beliefs and cultural ethics. It is extremely important to understand intercultural communication since it ensures clarity in messages, the ultimate objectives are clear, the message exchange within teams to execute a task are clear, there are no conflicts and in the end the deadlines are also met.

High context culture means that there is context for every culture i.e. every communication has a base or a solid ground on which all arguments are being done whereas low level context and communication means that whatever verbal communication is taking place from there the discussion picks up and hence both are quite different as one can be relied on and is rational and te other is more of verbal. Context plays a huge role in communication as it sets the direction as to what is required and on what basis the discussion is taking place, it gives a reference point so that the message that the sender wants to send is received by the receiver at exactly the same manner and there are no difference sin the perceptions and hence no confusion or dilemma as to what was the communication.

If there is a gap in understanding various conflicts can arise, the end objectives are missed, there is no clarity in command and hence the entire group may fall apart leading to a loss in time and cost for the company.