Culture-based linguistic differentiation:
The links between language teaching and intercultural competence
While being addressed to language instructors this article als keeps important aspects for language learners and second language speakers
Reading time: 20min

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Culture and communication: Cultural Knowledge in communication

In any communication the common knowledge of the communicators plays a crucial role. The more shared knowledge there is, the easier communication gets. The more different the knowledge of the communicators is in terms of knowledge and meaning is, the more need there is for explanations and the more likely misunderstandings are.

To ensure the success of communication between two people, or - in other words - to ensure a encoded message is received and decoded as correct as possible, a common understanding of the context is needed. If both communicators are from the same cultural background, we can expect them to use pretty much the same 'codes'. They are likely to succeed und understand each other. Sometimes the common background and understanding of context is so broad, that it is not necessary to mention everything. In the flow of communication so-called 'gaps' emerge. Large chunks go missing. We could say: "Culture helps to close communication gaps."

Communication gaps

The quotation "Culture helps to close communication gaps" can be proofed in dialogues. Speakers exchange information, often unaware, that they had exchanged or skipped certain parts of their dialogue. They are often unaware of the crack that has arisen in their communication, which they have bridged with their common knowledge.

Please find two communication gaps in the following dialogue. Which information, which content was skipped, because it was evident for both speakers.

At the supermarket's cashier:

Customer 1: "Excuse me, I only have two items."

Customer 2: "Oh, yes of course, just go forward."

Cultural knowledge as a condition for the understanding of jokes:

Especially if it comes to joking, caricatures and humor, it is often required to have implicit knowledge, to understand the joke. Please have a look at the following (German) caricature and name the cultural knowledge required, to understand.

Here is one more German example:

Father says: "Have a look! Mum and Dad drew this picture for you!"
Cultural Knowledge required: Kids often draw pictures in Kindergarten and present them to their parents at home. 

The topic of communication is often seen under 'speaking'. Research has shown, that for the transmission of meaning the nonverbal communication is at least as important as verbalized content. Non-verbal communication are all non-spoken signals, such as body language, facial expressions or gestures and posture. Non-verbal signals enhance verbal messages, serve to express the opposite of the spoken words, repeats and strengthens spoken statements, regulates conversation or replaces verbal words.

A simple example are head moves, to express agreement or denial. In Germany, people nod their head to express agreement and shake heads if they desagree or deny. The following video will show you some Indian body language. In the underneth forum you are asked to post your own examples: 

Here is another example: Counting in Chinese gestures:

Find video on YouTube: