Applying the High— and Low—Context Cultures to Analysis the Mother—daughter Conflicts in The Joy Luck Club

【Abstract】：Because of the various cultural backgrounds， there exist many different communication contexts. In order to make the communications more effective， it is essential for us to learn the high- and low-context cultures of Edward T. Hall. Basing on The Joy Luck Club， this article is going to use high- and low-context cultures to analysis the reasons of the mother-daughter conflicts in this novel.

【Key Words】： high- and low-context cultures， The Joy Luck Club， mother-daughter conflicts， reason

This article is going to explore the reasons of mother-daughter conflicts in The Joy Luck Club by using the high- and low-context cultures.

1. The high- and low-context cultures

1.1The conception of the high- and low-context cultures

In a higher-context culture， many things are left unsaid， letting the culture explain， while in a low-context culture， the communicator needs to be much more explicit and the value of a single word is less important.

1.2 The characteristics of the high- and low-context cultures

Because of the same history backgrounds， traditions and customs， when members from the high-context cultures talk with each other， the major information is stored in the context established. On the other hand， members from low-context culture are fond of talking with a straightforward way. In high-context culture， interpersonal relationship is very tight. People always put the interests of the collectivity in the first place. While in the low-context culture， its interpersonal relationship is loose.

3. Applying the high- and low-context cultures to analysis the reasons mother-daughter conflicts

3.1 The differences of the language expression

Since the daughters grow up in America， the way they organize their thoughts is to express them directly. However， their mothers go the opposite way. They don't express their feelings or purposes clearly， but like using an indirect and implicit way.

3.2 Collectivism and individualism

In traditional Chinese culture， Chinese people are willing to share happiness and if one of them has an achievement， they will thanks to the group they belong to. But in America， independent consciousness is stronger and American culture encourages personal struggle.

4. Conclusion

This novel shows us the process of cultural collisions and fusions between China and America， reflecting the trend of intersection and integration between Chinese culture and American culture. We should respect and tolerate these differences， trying to learn something good.

References

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