Communication

High Context and Low Context Communication

To compare both types of communication, we have to analyze five terms, which are: Communication, Emphasis, The responsible of the communication, Overtness and Expressions.

In the particular case of the High Context, the communication is more based on the non verbal communication, as the emphasis cares more about the context and the setting. Also the responsibility of a good communication corresponds to the receptor of the message. In the high context cultures, they focus more on the implicit messages and the expression is more like a reserved reaction.

On the other hand, the Low Context is based on a more verbal communication with emphasis in logic and reasoning, also the responsibility of the good communication relies on the sender of the message, rather than in the High context. Finally the communication tends to be highly explicit and the expression cares more about the external reactions.

Non verbal communication

As a way of communication, the non verbal communication has also a socially shared meaning, which can be intentional sent or interpretated and consciously sent or received. Even though there is a general non verbal communication in the world, it not always means the same, for instance the simple gesture of “okay” could be interpreted as a bad word in another country.

We have been grown surrounded by non verbal communication signs, for example the traffic signs as the traffic light: We all know that red light means to stop and the green light means to continue, but why?, how do we know that? It is because it is socially shared meaning which we have assume and understand without the need of verbal communication.

But not only the gestures with the hands and the colors are non verbal communication, for example one of the most accepted and understood gesture all over the world is the smile of a baby.

Which theories exist about the perception of the change from the oral communication to the written communication?

There are two main theories about this topic

The first one involves the conception of a society that moved over from oral to written communication as a need, developing cognitive skills and better brain structure.

It also analyzes the oral society as backward and worthless, which requires the invention of oral writing to last over time. This theory is called the theory of the Great dividing line

Moreover, the second theory tells us about the equality of the types of communication, where both forms of communication are equally valid and useful, for this reason named after the theory of continuity.