"'Intermediate-Level' Communication: A Model of Communication for Multiple Cultures"

by Travis Daniel Griffin | Xchanges 9.2

📋 Contents

Introduction
Literature Review
Literature Review (cont.)
Literature Review (cont.)
Methods
Methods (cont.)
Discussion
Discussion (cont.)
Conclusion
References
Appendix A
Appendix B

Abstract: Current work in the field of technical and professional communication focuses on writing and document design based on the target audience or target culture of the document being written. For many years, technical communication has focused on writing documents for either “High-Context” or “Low-Context” cultures. Material “High-Context” cultures, such as China, Japan, or France, are written in a way that establishes a deep relationship between the writer and the reader to build trust and establish a solid background for the document being written. In contrast, “Low-Context” cultures, such as America, Australia, and the United Kingdom, are usually much more straightforward in a style of writing that focuses on efficiency and directness. As the professional and academic world becomes more globalized, writers must prepare documents to be read by audiences of unknown cultural backgrounds. To explore possibilities for simplified communication, this paper reviews current work on the problem, as well as the educational background of the multicultural English speaker. Understanding that many English speakers in the world learn English as a second language, integrating concepts of teaching English as a foreign language into written communication may have a positive impact on the overall comprehension of the subject matter. A model of communication is detailed in this paper called “Intermediate-Level Communication” that can have appeal to readers from both High and Low context cultures.

Introduction

Technical communication professionals, teachers, and students have put a great deal of effort into effectively communicating across cultural and international borders. Globalized business and international partnerships are becoming the norm. As the field of technical communication grows, it is becoming more important than ever before for technical communicators to be fully prepared to open communications with people from different cultures and different nations in an efficient and effective way. While there is already a great deal of research and work that has been put into producing effective documents for target cultures, there is room to improve “first contact” situations. An understanding of “High” and “Low” context cultures assists in a writer’s abilities to target specific audiences. “High-Context” cultures, such as China, Japan, or France, are written in a way that establishes a deep relationship between the writer and the reader to build trust and establish a solid background for the document being written. In contrast, “Low-Context” cultures, such as America, Australia, and the United Kingdom, are usually much more straightforward in a style of writing that focuses on efficiency and directness. However, there are many documents produced by writers that have multiple audiences and may be reviewed by readers from many different cultures. It has become necessary to build a model that can effectively reach readers, regardless of their cultural background.

Primary schools, universities, and businesses teach English as a second language in countries all around the world. While primary school and university students often learn beginning and intermediate levels of the English language, later education in the university and in businesses often focuses on learning English for Specific Purposes (ESP). ESP focuses on the English that is specific to the field of the speaker. These English speakers must often learn concepts and language that are complex and difficult in a short amount of time. Therefore, it has become necessary for English teachers in these ESP classes to develop, test, and use models of communication that are effective teaching tools (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987). Using concepts from these effective models, it is possible to build a model that can bridge the cultural gap between High and Low context cultures. This model is “Intermediate-Level” context communication.

Intermediate-Level context communication uses concepts from teaching ESP to build a relationship with the reader and provide the necessary background for the document to allow readers from High-Context cultures to feel comfortable with both the writing and the writer of a document. Some of the concepts in teaching, adapted for technical writing, may include the use of etymology, sentence shortening, commonly used respectful overtones, and visualization. Each of these concepts is explored and integrated into the new model of communication.

To study these concepts, it is necessary to form a research project that allows readers to read and experience a document in a natural way and give feedback in a way that expressed how they reacted to the document. For this proposed project, the following hypothesis could be used: “Integrating ESP teaching techniques into document design has a measurable impact on the reading comprehension in readers from multiple cultures, including those who speak English as a Second Language.” As the world grows smaller and more interconnected, communication will have to become more efficient and streamlined. Not only should communication be efficient, but communication needs to be more attentive to global audiences. Finding effective models of communication must be a priority for communicators and professionals as we grow more interdependent.

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