ENG 305- Project 2-1 - Writing a memo about low-context and high-context business writing in India. PDF

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Writing a memo about low-context and high-context business writing in India. ...

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To: Dr. Greene From: Sidney McDonald Subject: The Professional Norms and Expectations for an Indian Business Correspondence Date: September 24, 2018 Purpose This memo will contain two parts within the discussion. The first will elaborate on traditional business patterns in India. The second part will evaluate a letter to an Indian business and elaborate on its problem areas.

Discussion Indian Business Patterns India, traditionally, has a high context culture. They gravitate towards indirect answers and a more positive outlook in writing (Nishimura 791). In a more modern state, India is slowly moving towards a low context culture through technology, trade, travel, and television (Chella). However, when talking to your elders, a high context culture is preferred and more respectful. When writing a business communication with India, it is best to use the high context communication style because it would be looked at as more respectful. Creating a bond would be important in this sense because it is not just the individuals who must bond, it is the entire company (Pakiam). The communication styles in India are overall very outgoing. In India, it is a very extroverted and lively communication style. In a business setting with someone they are not close with, many professionals tend to say something that the other person would want to hear. Both parties want to avoid conflict as much as possible. People from India use a lot of indirect communication. The word ‘no’ is seen as harsh, and having a known disagreement is seen as aggressive. If an individual is inclined to say ‘no’, they might say “maybe” instead. Direct communication is usually only used around people that the individual is close with and has a high level of trust (Pier). When greeting an individual in a business communication, it is best to be as formal as possible. Individuals from India are very family oriented and loyal to the company. In the greeting, it is best to wish their family in good health and mention how they have a successful company (Nishimura 787). There is a certain tone that one must maintain throughout the entirety of the communication. The individual writing the letter must have friendly and kindness connotations throughout the communication (Pier). In India, time is viewed as a loose construct. Many individuals will arrive 10 to 15 minutes after the allotted start time. In the United States, it is seen as inefficient and rude, but the people from India do not seem to mind the tardiness (Gupta). In the United States, the business communication is very direct. The United States get to the point without taking a roundabout path. This is considered low context. Problems would arise if a business in the United States were to communicate this way to an Indian business. Individuals from India would view the directness from the United States as rude, harsh, and aggressive.

Business would never be agreed upon because the individuals from India would be offended by how rude the United States were to them and their company. When coming to an agreement, the United States wants a definite answer, and they don’t want to change the agreement afterwards. In India, the agreement would waiver slightly if and when they needed. They also do not like direct answers, so the United States would receive answers such as “maybe” or “that might work” (Pakiam).

Assessing the Business Letter The beginning of the letter opens with “Dear Nikhil.” However, she has never met Mr. Gupta and does not know him. Mr. Gupta would most likely view this as inconsiderate and not formal enough. Addressing him as “Sir” would be the best way to go because it is more formal. This would also work best because occasionally, in India, men are seen as superiors to women. The first paragraph is straight to the point and very direct. There is no opening wishing for his and his family’s wellness or complements to his business. Although this is a letter that has negative connotations, there still must be kindness and an indirect feel throughout the letter. This second paragraph is low context, and Mr. Gupta would view this as the person sending the letter talking down to him. It is a direct report as to what happened with the Indian business. The author of this letter also addresses him by his first name, which is too friendly for Mr. Gupta’s culture. The third paragraph is also direct. She explicitly says that she is upset and is criticizing his business. The tone is rather harsh and aggressive even for a low context culture. In a high context culture, this would lead to several problems. The business between these two individuals might come to a complete stop because of this harsh tone. The fourth paragraph explicitly tells Mr. Gupta what to do. This paragraph also uses a phrase that an English as a Second Language individual might find very confusing. Because of Mr. Gupta’s low context culture, he would more than likely be offended by her using the word “obviously” to begin this paragraph. It is a word that is surrounded with negative connotations. The word would make Mr. Gupta feel inferior. The closing paragraph is most likely a persuasive strategy. She finally compliments something in his business and asks about new products. Although she uses his first name again, this paragraph has high context qualities. Overall, the tone of this letter is too harsh whenever she is speaking of the products and shipments. The usage of Mr. Gupta’s first name is overly friendly considering the two have likely never met. If this letter was sent to Mr. Gupta, it would likely end a business relationship.

Bibliography Chella, Ganesh. “The Changing Face of Indian Work Culture.” The Hindu BusinessLine, The Hindu BusinessLine, 10 Sept. 2007, www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tpopinion/The-changing-face-of-Indian-work-culture/article20175213.ece. Gupta, Subodh. “Indian Business Culture – Punctuality in India and Enlightment.” Journalism.co.uk, Indian Business Culture, 11 Aug. 2011, www.journalism.co.uk/press-releases/indian-business-culture---punctuality-in-india-andenlightment/s66/a545571/. Pakiam, Ashok. “'Face-Saving' in Cross-Cultural Communication.” The Hindu BusinessLine, The Hindu BusinessLine, 17 Dec. 2007, www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tpnew-manager/lsquoFace-savingrsquo-in-cross-culturalcommunication/article20190003.ece. Pier. “Indian Culture.” Cultural Atlas, IES, culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/indian-culture/indianculture-communication#indian-culture-communication. Nishimura, Shoji. “Communication Style and Cultural Features in High/Low Context Communication Cultures: A Case Study of Finland, Japan, and India.” 14 Feb. 2008. pp. 784-796....