communication. When we examine the case of Madagascar, people like
communicating indirectly. It is clear that those who are unfamiliar
with this practice have trouble understanding the messages.
Culturally, Malagasy people communicate indirectly and inexplicitly
with people. They use this kind of communication when they convey
messages. Malagasy people dislike saying something directly. When
they want to transmit messages, they have to convey it indirectly in
order to show the importance of the message. In addition, when
Malagasy people give a speech, the speaker has to introduce his
lecture by using proverbs and long excuses. For this reason, if the
speaker made mistakes during his speech he is already excused.
Whereas, when there is someone telling a message in a direct way, that
person has a bad attitude. This way of speaking shows the haughtiness
of the speaker. The goal of indirectness is saving face and living
in harmony.
"Miala tsigny, miala fondro raha hiteny eto anatrehareo satria ny
tsigny dia mavesatra; tsy zakan'ny teo aloha ka ombako tsy mahazaka
koa; raha lolohavina ny tsiny dia maha sola loha, raha babena ny tsiny
dia maha fola-damosina ary raha dia kosa ny tsiny dia maha solafaka."
This means, a speaker excuses themselves in front of an audience
because tsigny (blame) is heavy. Former generations could not bear
carrying it. If you carry it on your head, you will be bald, if you
carry it on your back, your spine will be broken and if step over it
you will trip. They make a long excuse before speaking because they
believe that human beings are not perfect.
To illustrate Malagasy communication, when Malagasy people admonish
their children they narrate a story and then they tell central
messages. Besides, when someone wants to borrow money or tools from
neighbors he or she first tells of the problems—and then the need to
borrow something.
To conclude, conveying messages indirectly is wisdom for Malagasy
people. They do this to keep harmony because we are a collectivist
culture.
It was really nice learning about the communication style. Being from India living in US, I can totally relate it to myself. I was not aware of my own communication style while living in India. In India too people have an indirect style of communication. Whereas in US its more of an direct style. Sometimes it does feel little rude, but then after living here for so long made me little used to it. And now it doesn't bother me much. I have kind of accepted it....but still I have an indirect style of communication.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice reading about the communication styles. I feel that in the U.S. people communicate to directly with one another making it very rude at certain times, this would be a problem if the two different cultures were to collide. I view this as sad because this happens in every day life with communication. i think everyone could benefit in life if respecting others cultures and communication styles at that.
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