Culture of indirection communication driver#

Cries of pain or sign language gestures that portray the shape of the thing are also natural expressions. On the most natural level, the person communicates by doing (for example, taking something to indicate it is wanted). The dimension of abstraction runs from NATURAL to CULTURAL, and indicates the degree of separation from precisely defined words and actions. In order to decode subtlety, the listener has to have enough sensory integration to be able to process all the senses at once. Voice inflection can be subtle or blatant. Gestures can often be more subtle than words, although grand gestures can also be more blatant than words. The dimension of subtlety runs from BLATANT to SUBTLE, and indicates the degree of dwarfing of the communication. Sarcasm is the particular case of ambiguity that includes two opposites in the same expression. In order to decode ambiguity, the listener has to understand all meanings at the same time, without discarding some of them or settling on any one. (In the example above, the autistic might understand that the speaker has a prior commitment until the approximate hour when she happens to be going, and nothing more than that). An autistic listener might be confused, and not seek out multiple meanings, or might assume the simplest one. A message given as a question or with a “maybe” (or some other noncommital word) or in the subjunctive mood can express vagueness, or a range of possibilities without nailing down one of them. A statement that has a tone/inflection or gesture that doesn’t match creates an ambiguous way of saying it. It leaves open the possibility that the lateness is an invitation to go together, or a threat of some kind. The sentence “I’m not going to be there until you get there” does not specify the reason for being late.

The dimension of ambiguity runs from UNITARY to AMBIGUOUS, and indicates the degree to which multiple meanings are included in one expression.

In order to decode metaphor, the listener has to test multiple meanings and determine which is the suitable level of indirection for the current situation.

Culture of indirection communication driver#

A great example from Look Me In the Eye is when a taxi driver approaches an apartment complex to drop oft the passenger, and asks “Where are you?”, which is a substitute for “Which apartment is yours?” An autistic passenger said “I’m right here,” because she missed the metaphorical indirection.

Metaphor is a manner of speech using a substitute or proxy for the intended thing. The dimension of metaphor runs from LITERAL to METAPHORICAL, and indicates the degree of substitution in communication. 52-74.There are several kinds of indirection employed in neurotypical communication. (1996), 'POLITENESS AS A UNIVERSAL VARIABLE IN CROSS‐CULTURAL MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION', The International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. The implications of a universalistic approach to cross‐cultural communication training are discussed. Implications of politeness for managerial cross‐cultural communication are explored. This paper reviews anthropological/sociolinguistic research on one universal variable, “politeness.” Politeness, or linguistic indirection used to show social consideration, is a crucial element of interpersonal communication in all human cultures, yet it has received little mention in the literature. This paper argues that an etic approach, one based on universal variables that occur in every culture and that vary across cultures, comprises an important alternative. Training programs designed to enhance managerial effectiveness at cross‐cultural communication tend to be directed at specific target cultures.