high-context

See alsointercultural communication.

1. (high-context communication) A communication style in which much of the meaning is implicit (seeimplicit meaning) and context-dependent (seecontextual meaning) rather than explicit in the message (Edward T. Hall). To interpret the message the receiver must invoke the context. This is a process-oriented style. All communication involves some degree of context-dependence, but there is considerable variation between cultures. Comparelow-context.

2. (high-context cultures) Collectivistic cultures (such as in China) particularly associated with a high-context communication style. By comparison with low-context cultures, people are more tolerant of silences in conversation, use silence more strategically, and are more alert to nonverbal cues. People in high-context cultures often adopt a role-oriented style.