The concept of language is very interesting. It both allows and restricts us from communicating, defining people before they even speak, interpreting culture and values. Language can refer to complex systems of communication, or the simplest of symbols and gestures. I have spent a lot of time thinking about language and it's control over our communication since class on Monday. The video clip of the student whose project was majorly restricted by language/vocabulary made me nervous for my own project in Tonga. How can I word my surveys and interviews so that the English and Tongan meanings are exactly parallel? Will there be a drastic language barrier? Will I offend people with my lack of understanding? These are some of the questions that were brought to my attention after class.
The Low and High Context Communication handout is both enlightening and funny. So sad, but true. We live in a world filled with these communication gaps. People may technically be speaking the same language, but the message can still be lost in translation. A perfect example of low and high context communication is found in my family. My mom, prime low context speaker. She is as direct as it gets, and to some people who don't really know her, she might even be offensive. My mom says what she means, when she means it. Now, a high context example. My little sister Jenny. It takes serious effort to get anything direct from this girl. She practically makes 'beating around the bush' into a science. I think many girls are this way. They think hiniting at something is and effective way of getting what they want. Many women expect other peole to just read their minds. I've even been guilty of this tactic, but to no success. I definitely believe there's a balance between low and high context communication, at least in the English language. It's polite to be somewhere in the middle.
I read in my book Making Sense of Tonga that Tongans will tend to say "yes" to every yes/no question they are asked, whether it's true or not. They have learned this in their culture, to please people. It's polite. This is a very important lesson for me to learn as I am definitely a low context communicator. I need to practice both skill sets and find a healthy balance. I need to be prepared for the Tongans' way of indirect communication and adjust my interviews accordingly.
People will say yes a lot in Tonga just because it is the polite thing. That's what makes gathering information so challenging. People you speak with may simply answer how you want them to rather than saying what they actually think.
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