christine pahlmann jens tiefenstädter what makes cultures different: concepts and descriptors of...

Christine PahlmannJens Tiefenstädter

What makes cultures different: concepts and descriptors of culture S. 1

What Makes What Makes Cultures Different:Cultures Different:

Concepts and Concepts and Descriptors of Descriptors of

CultureCulture

What Makes What Makes Cultures Different:Cultures Different:

Concepts and Concepts and Descriptors of Descriptors of

CultureCulture

Christine PahlmannChristine Pahlmann

Jens TiefenstädterJens Tiefenstädter

”Das Problem des Fundalismus im Islam kann

nur aus dem Islam selbst heraus gelöst werden. Der

Westen besitzt kulturell dazu keinen Schlüssel.”

”[…] dem Verlust alter Ordnungsmuster, der Armut,

Destabilisierung oder Demütigung ganzer Kulturen

und Regionen.”

“Unter dem Slogan, dass wir keinen Krieg der Kulturen wollen, führen wir faktisch

genau diesen.”



Graphic from: Göpferich, Susanne. Interkulturelles Technical Writing. Fachliches adressatengerecht vermitteln. Gunter Narr Verlag, Tübingen. 1998 p.287

Gestures and meaningGestures and meaningGestures and meaningGestures and meaning



AgendaAgendaAgendaAgenda

1. Definitions of Culture

2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture1. Edward T. Hall

2. Geert Hofstede

3. Fons Trompenaars

3. Flaws / Weaknesses & General Problems of Working with “Cultures”

4. Selected Readings / Sources



1. Definitions of Culture1. Definitions of Culture1. Definitions of Culture1. Definitions of Culture

There exist various definitions of culture. We’d like to introduce into the most common in modern intercultural studies.

The word ‚Culture‘ comes from the Latin colere, which stands for cultivation of soil and plants.

It first appeared in the 17th century, in opposition to nature. Culture stood for things created by mans own will and skill.



What Means Culture to You?What Means Culture to You?What Means Culture to You?What Means Culture to You?

Discussion:

• What do you think culture is?



Definitions of Cultures –Definitions of Cultures –Hochkultur: Goethe, Duerer & Co. Hochkultur: Goethe, Duerer & Co.

Definitions of Cultures –Definitions of Cultures –Hochkultur: Goethe, Duerer & Co. Hochkultur: Goethe, Duerer & Co.

The German elites often defined culture as Hochkultur.

Heinrich Rickert: [Kultur ist die...]„Gesamtheit der realen Objekte, an denen allgemein anerkannte Werte oder durch sie konstruierte Sinngebilde haften und die mit Rücksicht auf die Werte gepflegt werden.“ 5

5 Rickert, Heinrich. Kulturwissenschaft und Naturwissenschaft. P.28 in:Maletzke, Gerhard. Interkulturelle Kommunikation. Westdeutscher Verlag, Opladen. 1996 p. 16



Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Communication and Interpretation Communication and Interpretation

KnowledgeKnowledge

Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Communication and Interpretation Communication and Interpretation

KnowledgeKnowledgeKeesing R.:

„Culture, conceived as a system of competence shared in its broad design and deeper principles [...] is then not all of what an individual knows and thinks and feels about his (or her) world.

It is his (or her) theory of what his (or her) fellows know, believe, and mean, his (or her) theory of the code being followed, the game being played, in the society into which he (or she) was born...“7

7 Keesing, R. Theories of culture. Annual Review of Anthropology, 3. 1974. p.73-97 in:Gudykunst, William B., Kim, Young Yun. Communicating with strangers. Mc Graw-Hill, New York. 1992 p.12



Definitions of Cultures – Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Communication SystemCulture as Communication System

Definitions of Cultures – Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Communication SystemCulture as Communication System

Edward T. Hall:„Cultures are unified wholes in which everything interrelates.“1

„Any culture is primarily a system for creating, sending, storing and processing information. Communication underlies everything.“2

According to Hall, 80 to 90% of communication are not language, but words, material things and behaviour.

1 Hall, Edward T. Hidden Differences Doing Business with the Japanese. Anchor Books 1987. p.XVIII2 Hall, Edward T. Hidden Differences Doing Business with the Japanese. Anchor Books 1987. p.3



The Unconscious Defines CultureThe Unconscious Defines CultureThe Unconscious Defines CultureThe Unconscious Defines Culture

Edward T. Hall:Culture defines CommunicationCommunication defines Culture.

Hall introduces the term “informatics” for the behaviour outside conscious awareness. It includes evolutionary, emergent ideas, practices and solutions and even shared experiences that we all hold.



Culture as Communication System – Culture as Communication System – is Masterableis Masterable

Culture as Communication System – Culture as Communication System – is Masterableis Masterable

Edward T. Hall:„Culture can be likened to an enormous, subtle extraordinarily complex computer. It programs the actions and responses of every person, and these programs must be mastered by anyone wishing to make the system work“3

3 Hall, Edward T. Hidden Differences Doing Business with the Japanese. Anchor Books 1987. p.4



Definitions of cultures – Definitions of cultures – Culture as Way of Dealing With ProblemsCulture as Way of Dealing With Problems

Definitions of cultures – Definitions of cultures – Culture as Way of Dealing With ProblemsCulture as Way of Dealing With Problems

Fons Trompenaars, Geert Hofstede:

„Culture is the way in which a group of people solves problems and reconciles dilemmas.“6

6 Trompenaars, Fons. Riding the waves of culture. McGraw-Hill, New York. 1998. p.6



Culture is “What we Take for Granted”Culture is “What we Take for Granted”Culture is “What we Take for Granted”Culture is “What we Take for Granted”

In order to work with cultures, to describe them, we need a common ground or definition.

Hofstede’s definition, culture as set of problem solutions and basic understanding of the world, is a good basis.

It is more fundamental than the ‘Hochkultur’ or even culture as tacit civilization and includes Hall’s point of view, culture as communication system, and other definitions that see culture as tool for differentiating groups.




1. Definitions of Culture 2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture

1. Edward T. Hall

2. Geert Hofstede

3. Fons Trompenaars

3. Flaws / Weaknesses & general Problems of working with “Cultures”




2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture

Examining cultures and gathering data on them can be done in two ways.

Trying to understand a particular culture from the inside point of view …

.. Or looking from the outside trying to find variables that occur in many cultures and thus enable comparison.



2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic / Etic ApproachEmic / Etic Approach

2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic / Etic ApproachEmic / Etic Approach

The linguist Pike named these approaches first:

Understanding from the inside point of view, is called Emic,

While the outside examination and comparison of one culture with another is called Etic.

Both approaches are useful and have strengths and weaknesses.

Cf. Pike, K.L. Etic and emic standpoints for the description of behaviour. In L. Wheeler (Ed.), Review of personality and social psychologie (Vol 3), Sage Publications, Beverly Hills.



2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Etic – Search for Comparable ElementsEtic – Search for Comparable Elements

2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Etic – Search for Comparable ElementsEtic – Search for Comparable Elements

In our opinion, it is possible to examine certain phenomena without knowing why they occur, for example proxemics.

Such phenomena can usually be measured and thus compared with other cultures.

The etic approach gives us comparable data, it helps us to familiarize ourselves with visible habits of other cultures.

Alas it cannot give us explanations of the underlying motivation for these phenomena.



2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic – Understanding Like a NativeEmic – Understanding Like a Native

2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic – Understanding Like a NativeEmic – Understanding Like a Native

The emic approach can’t help us comparing one culture with another.

But it may help us understanding the underlying rules and values that shape the visible rim of a culture, for a culture is described as the subjects of this culture perceive it.



2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic / Etic – When to Use Which?Emic / Etic – When to Use Which?

2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Emic / Etic – When to Use Which?Emic / Etic – When to Use Which?

Discussion:• What do you think where the strengths and

weaknesses of these approaches are?

• Is a pure etic or pure emic approach possible? Or do we always compare with our own experience? Is it possible to understand phenomena as a foreigner?



2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – 2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – The big 5 – General Questions The big 5 – General Questions

2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – 2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – The big 5 – General Questions The big 5 – General Questions

According to Florence Kluckhorn and Fred Strodtbeck mankind faces 5 general dilemmas coming forth from interaction with fellow humans, time, nature and activities.

These dilemmas need to be solved, for every dilemma, there exist but a limited number of solutions.

Every culture can choose from these solutions. By the particular selection, cultures can be compared.



2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – 2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – The Big 5 – General Questions The Big 5 – General Questions

2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – 2. Descriptors / Dimensions of Culture – The Big 5 – General Questions The Big 5 – General Questions

OrientationOrientation Range of VariationsRange of Variations

Human nature

Evil Neutral Mix of Good-and-Evil

Good

mutable immutable mutable immutable mutable immutable

Man-Nature

Subjugation-to-Nature

Harmony-with-Nature

Mastery-over-Nature

Time Past Present Future

Activity Being Being-in-Becoming Doing

Relational Lineality Collaterality Individualism

Graphic according to: Maletzke, Gerhard. Interkulturelle Kommunikation. Westdeutscher Verlag, Opladen. 1996 p.82



2. Dimensions of Culture – 2. Dimensions of Culture – Pattern VariablesPattern Variables


Parsons and Shils introduced the concept of pattern variables in 1951.

“Pattern variables are mutually exclusive choices individuals make prior to engaging in action.

The choices are made both consciously and unconsciously; however, they are generally made unconsciously since they are learned during the socialization process at an early age.”8

8 Gudykunst, William B., Kim, Young Yun. Communicating with strangers. Mc Graw-Hill, New York. 1992 p.51





• Self-orientation vs. collective-orientation(= individualism vs. collectivism)

• Affectivity vs. Affective NeutralityWhat is the nature of the gratification we seek?

• Universalism vs. ParticularismHow do we categorize people and objects?

• Diffuseness vs. SpecificityHow do we respond to people and objects?

• Ascription vs. AchievementAre people / objects treated in terms of their ascribed or their achieved qualities ?

• Instrumental vs. Expressive OrientationWhat is the nature of our goals of interaction?



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Edward T. HallEdward T. Hall

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Edward T. HallEdward T. Hall

High and Low Context

Space

TimeSpeed of messages (Fast / Slow)



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – High and Low ContextHall – High and Low Context


Context is the information surrounding an object or event.

Together with the object / event these additional information produce a meaning.

The proportion event / context differs from culture to culture.

The two poles are: High Context Low Context





High Context Low ContextLittle extra information on the event is provided – the social network (context) gives enough hints

There’s a lot of additional, explicit information added to give the right meaning to the event.

e.g. Latin cultures, Asian cultures e.g. Scandinavian, north European cultures, North America

Usually well informed through informal channels

Before making a decision, we need additional information to base our decision on. / “need to know what’s going on”



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – SpaceHall – Space


Space is organized and perceived differently in cultures.Space has the function of giving order, organization and even clues about the social position of an individual.

There exist several boundaries around us.Innermost the physical boundary of our body,outermost our “territorial border”.Any border beside the physical border is individually perceived and chosen and shaped by culture.

Violating or accepting the borders is communication.





Territoriality:“Feeling about personal space”Often communicates status, e.g. size and position of office, neighbourhood…

Personal Space:The size of an invisible bubble around us. Sort of a mobile territory.The size depends on the situation, emotional states, culture a.o.



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – TimeHall – Time

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – TimeHall – Time

Time

Natural: Circles: Day / night, seasons, life circle

Time as Structure Time as Communication• Monochronic Appointments,

advance time• Polychronic Speed of actions



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Time as StructureHall – Time as Structure

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Time as StructureHall – Time as Structure

Monochronic Time Polychronic Time

Linear Cyclical

segmented simultaneous events

start-end / point2point completing events

serial parallel



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Time as CommunicationHall – Time as Communication

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Time as CommunicationHall – Time as Communication

Time is the primary system of organization, the informal rules can be used to communicate.E.g.: Advance time, proper timing, appointments

Rhythm and speed, time needed for making decisions, for talking, for getting used to another.

This phenomenon is closely related to Hall’s speed of messages as described later.



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Speed of MessagesHall – Speed of Messages

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – Speed of MessagesHall – Speed of Messages

Hall defines culture as communication system.

Therefore every action transmits information that can be decoded in different speeds.

Cultures, persons, messages all might have a particular speed necessary to decode them. People used to a different speed find it difficult to decode them.



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall - Speed of MessagesHall - Speed of Messages

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall - Speed of MessagesHall - Speed of Messages

Fast Messages Slow Messages

Prose Poetry

Headlines Books

TV Commercials TV documentary

TV Print

Ideologies Culture



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Hofstede’s Definition of CultureHofstede’s Definition of Culture


Culture 1: "Refinement of the mind" and in particular the results of such refinement like education, art and literature

Culture 2: The set of mental rules, the software of the mind.(cf. Hall, Trompenaars)

Culture, as mental software, is at least partly shared with other people who live or lived within the same social environment. This shared software distinguishes members of one group from others.

Even for adults it is possible, though it might be hard, to adopt to or learn a different set of mental rules.

The mental software is learned throughout the whole live.

Cf. Hofstede, Geert. Lokales Denken, Globales Handeln. C.H. Beck, Munich. 1997 p.3f





Cf. Hofstede, Geert. Lokales Denken, Globales Handeln. C.H. Beck, Munich. 1997 p.5

Personality

Culture

Human nature

individual

specific to group or category

universal

experienced + learned

experienced

inherited

Applies to… How achieved…Level



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Hofstede’s OnionHofstede’s Onion

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Hofstede’s OnionHofstede’s Onion

Rituals

Heroes

Symbols

Prac

tices

Values

Values determine the definition of good and bad, logical vs. paradoxical …

Rituals: Collective activities which are considered socially essential.

Heroes: Represent characteristics which are highly prized in a culture.

Symbols: Words, gestures, objects which carry a specific meaning which is only recognised within the culture

"Practices" are visible to outsiders and therefore can be learned.



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Hofstede’s 4+1 DimensionsHofstede’s 4+1 Dimensions

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Hofstede’s 4+1 DimensionsHofstede’s 4+1 Dimensions

The dimensions are situated between the core and the practices. Individual expressions and feelings based on values, but not unquestioned collective rituals.

– Power Distance– Masculinity / Femininity– Uncertainty Avoidance– Individualism / Collectivism

– Confucian Dynamics



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Power DistancePower Distance

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Power DistancePower Distance

“Power distance, as a characteristic of a culture, defines the extent to which the less powerful person in a society accepts inequality in power and considers it as normal. Inequality exists within any culture, but the degree of it that is tolerated varies between one culture and another.”

“All societies are unequal, but some are more unequal than others.”



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Masculine vs. Feminine CulturesMasculine vs. Feminine Cultures


Defines the predetermination of gender roles in a society.

Masculine cultures use the biological existence of two sexes to define the different social roles of men and women.Men are expected to be assertive, ambitious and competitive and to strive for material success.Women are expected to serve and to care for the non-material quality of life, for children and the weak.



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Feminine CulturesFeminine Cultures

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Feminine CulturesFeminine Cultures

Feminine cultures define relatively overlapping social roles for the sexes, in which neither men nor women need to be ambitious or competitive.Both sexes may go for a different quality of life than material success and may respect whatever is small, weak and slow.





• Masculinity– Earnings– Social recognition– Advancement (career)– Challenge

• Femininity– Manager (good relations

to superior)– Cooperative work– Comfortable living area– Employment secureness



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Uncertainty AvoidanceUncertainty Avoidance


Defines the extend to which people within a culture are made nervous by situations that consider to be unstructured, unclear, or unpredictable, and the extend to which they try to avoid such situations by adopting strict codes of behaviour and a believe in absolute truth.





Cultures with weak UA• contemplative• less aggressive• unemotional• accepting of personal

risk• relatively tolerant

Cultures with strong UA• active• aggressive• emotional• security-seeking

• intolerant



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Individualism vs. CollectivismIndividualism vs. Collectivism

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Individualism vs. CollectivismIndividualism vs. Collectivism

Collectivist cultures

Individuals are assumed to belong to one or more close “in-groups” from which they can not detach themselves.

Tightly integrated.

In-group offers protection but demands loyalty.

Individualist cultures

Individuals are assumed to look primarily after their own interest and those of their immediate family.

Loosely integrated.



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Are there differences to Hall’s dimensions?Are there differences to Hall’s dimensions?

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Are there differences to Hall’s dimensions?Are there differences to Hall’s dimensions?

Discussion:• Is there a qualitative difference to Hall’s

dimensions or Parsons’ patterns?

• Do you think Uncertainty Avoidance, Context (HC/LC) and Universalism / Particularism correlate?



2.3 Dimensions of Culture – 2.3 Dimensions of Culture – Trompenaars’ OnionTrompenaars’ Onion

2.3 Dimensions of Culture – 2.3 Dimensions of Culture – Trompenaars’ OnionTrompenaars’ Onion

Artifacts / Products: Hofstedes Practices

Norms and Values: Hofstedes Core

Core: Basic assumptions about dealing with nature and people

Trompenaars adds to Hofstedes’ onion a new core which contains the basic assumptions about nature and mankind. These are derived from Kluckhorn’s and Strodbeck’s value orientation.



2.3 Dimensions of Culture – 2.3 Dimensions of Culture – Fons TrompenaarsFons Trompenaars

2.3 Dimensions of Culture – 2.3 Dimensions of Culture – Fons TrompenaarsFons Trompenaars

• Universalism vs. Particularism (Parsons)• Individualism vs. Collectivism (Parsons)• Neutral vs. Emotional

(cf. Affectively neutral vs. Emotional (Parsons))

• Specific vs. Diffuse (Parsons + LC/HC)• Achievement vs. Ascription (Parsons)

Attitu

de to

peo

ple

• Attitude to time (Hall / Strodbeck)• Attitude to the environment. (Strodbeck)





1. Edward T. Hall 2. Geert Hofstede 3. Fons Trompenaars





Problems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theories

• Hall: Emic not possible because you always “know” things that the natives are unaware of. Therefore it is impossible to understand a foreign culture the same way natives do.

• Can a foreign culture be learned? Hall denies this, s.a. Hofstede says it is hard but possible to reinitiate the process of learning values and norms like children do.

• Hall: Some examples are outdated, the conclusions based on these should be checked.



Problems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theoriesProblems / Critic on the theories

• Methodological weaknesses:Hall: Interviews, hearsay, Experiences from

training for USA government, fieldwork with natives.

Hofstede: Consultant for IBM worldwide in the 70’s.

Trompenaars: 15 years field research / 1000+ trainings in over 20 years.

About 30.000 participants.





1. Edward T. Hall 2. Geert Hofstede 3. Fons Trompenaars





Selected Readings / SourcesSelected Readings / SourcesSelected Readings / SourcesSelected Readings / Sources

• Hall, Edward T. The Silent Language. Anchor Books, 1990.Hall’s basic work on culture, his main concepts (PMS and dimensions) are described.

• Hall, Edward T; Reed Hall, Mildred. Hidden Differences. Doing Business with the Japanese. Anchor Books, 1987.A “How to” Guide to the Japanese. Introduces into the Japanese culture, some parts are outdated, nevertheless interesting to read.

• Hall, Edward T. Hidden Dimension. Anchor Books, 1990.Hall’s major work on Proxemics.




• Gudykunst, William B., Kim, Young Yun. Communicating with strangers. Mc Graw-Hill, New York. 1992.If you want to study the topic, start with this book. It gives a short introduction into many different concepts and theories and is well written.

• Trompenaars, Fons. Riding the waves of culture. McGraw-Hill, New York. 1998.Trompenaars uses different theories (Hofstedes Dimensions, Pattersons Variables...) and presents them in an easy to understand form. He also offers figures from various studies he conducted.




• Appadurai, Arjun. Modernity at Large. Cultural Dimensions of Globalization University of Minnesota Press, London. 1998.This book concentrates on the effects of modernity, ethnic movements, mass media and so on. The author‘s concept of culture is different from the here used, so it is sometimes confusing to read and hard to grasp.

• Maletzke, Gerhard. Interkulturelle Kommunikation. Westdeutscher Verlag, Opladen. 1996.Another good introduction. Based on the papers of an congress in 1966 it is still of good value. Parts resemble the book by Gudykunst,William, Kim.




• Hofstede, Geert. Lokales Denken, Globales Handeln. C.H. Beck, Munich. 1997

• Weaver, Gary R. (ed). Culture, Communication and Conflict. Readings in Intercultural Relations. Simon & Schuster Publishing, Needham Heights. 1998



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Additional slides



Definitions of Cultures – Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Device of DifferentiationCulture as Device of Differentiation

Definitions of Cultures – Definitions of Cultures – Culture as Device of DifferentiationCulture as Device of Differentiation

Arjun Appadurai:„Culture is not usefully regarded as a substance but is better regarded as a dimension of phenomena, a dimension that attends to situated and embodied difference. Stressing the dimensionality of culture rather than its substantiality permits our thinking of culture less as a property of individuals and groups and more as a heuristic device that we can use to talk about difference. “4

„The idea of culture as involving the naturalized organization of certain differences in the interests of group identity, through and in the historical process [...]“4(p.14)

4 Appadurai, Arjun. Modernity at Large. Cultural Dimensions of Globalization University of Minnesota Press, London. 1998. p.13



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary Message SystemsPrimary Message Systems

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary Message SystemsPrimary Message Systems

According to Hall and Trager, a cultural system had to be:

“Rooted in a biological activity widely shared with other advanced living forms.” 9

“Capable of analysis in its own terms without reference to the other systems and so organized that it contained isolated components that could be built up into more complex units […]” 9

“[…]constituted [in a way] that it reflected all the rest of culture and was reflected in the rest of culture.”9

9 Hall, Edward T. The Silent Language. Anchor Books 1990. p.37f



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary Message SystemsMessage Systems

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Primary Message SystemsMessage Systems

This leads to 10 Message systems, 9 of which are non-linguistic.

• Interaction• Association• Subsistence• Bisexuality• Territoriality• Temporality• Learning• Play• Defense• Exploitation



2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – The Major TriadHall – The Major Triad

2.1 Dimensions of Culture – 2.1 Dimensions of Culture – Hall – The Major TriadHall – The Major Triad

Hall and Trager developed a theory that culture has three levels:

Formal

Informal

Technical

This paradigm applies to the individual’s behaviour. Again, all three modes are always present, but one dominates.



Graphic from Hall, Edward T. The silent Language. Anchor Books 1990. p.190f



Graphic from Hall, Edward T. The silent Language. Anchor Books 1990. p.92



2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Confucian DynamicsConfucian Dynamics

2.2 Dimensions of Culture – 2.2 Dimensions of Culture – Confucian DynamicsConfucian Dynamics

Short-term orientation• Steadiness and stability• Protecting face• Respect for tradition• Reciprocation of

greetings and gifts

Long-term orientation• Persistence• Ordering relationships by

status• Following the order• Thrift• Having a sense of shame

christine pahlmann jens tiefenstädter what makes cultures different: concepts and descriptors of...

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