A linguistic framework for analysis of intercultural communication - Directness

5 important questions on A linguistic framework for analysis of intercultural communication - Directness

At what do most comparative studies fail?

They fail to mention that statements such as "German speakers are direct and Swedish speakers are indirect in expressing their communicative intentions" must be seen in relative terms. The statement should be: "compared to many Germans, many Swedish speakers are less direct in expressing their communicative intentions".

The statement doesn't mean that their intentions are not expressed clearly enough, but what is the real problem?

They make use of certain conventionalized contextualizers, which speakers from the same culture can as a rule easily interpret as indicators of these intentions.

When is communication severely impeded?

If one is used to receiving more explicit contextual cues or if one is not able to fully and correctly interpret these contextualizers.
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To what are directness and indirectness also related?

Quantity: minutely detailed agreements have a form of explicitness that some cultures consider excessive and sometimes even insulting.

What is an important and culturally difficult way to express meaning in an indirect way?

The use of allusions, a technique currently under investigation.

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