Traits of High-context Culture in Koreans’ Communication

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The study aims to explore traits of high-context culture in Koreans’ communication. An interview is the main tool to gather data and a qualitative analysis is employed. The study interprets the result mainly in the framework of Hall’s high-context and low-context culture theory. Many characteristics of high-context culture have mentioned in the interviews and a role of context in communication is obvious in Korean communication. First, providing less information than required is the most commonly mentioned, and the unuttered information is expected to be understood at the expense of the listener’s effort and from the shared context. Second, Koreans’ ambiguous speech is said to be prevalent and deliberate. Third, the importance of relationship regulates many aspects of Koreans’ communication. Fourth, suppression of feelings or opinions can be rooted in Confucius tradition. Fifth, Koreans’ less rationalistic or logical way of thinking, compared to low-context culture, is mentioned by the interviewees. The study will benefit both English learners of Korean and Korean learners of English.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Literature Review
• 3. Research Design
• 4. Results & Discussion
• 5. Summary
• References