Abstract
In man-machine communication, there is a relationship between what may be described as tacit (human) and explicit (machine) knowledge. The tacit lies in practice and the explicit in the formulation of the processes and content of this practice. However, when a human communicates with another human face to face, we may describe them as communicating aspects of the tacit and explicit dimension of their knowledge, i.e. the expression and its background of meaning for the particular situation. When this is unsuccessful in being communicated, some mediator (not necessarily a third person) is needed to provide the bridge for the particular discrepant aspects of the tacit and explicit dimensions to meet. This is achieved by making the tacit nature of the discrepancy in the communication explicit to both participants such that they both understand the background to their discrepancy. Once they become aware, it is possible for them to begin to resolve it.
In considering what has been termed here the ‘cultural interface’, i.e. communication across cultures, the paper will explore the nature of discrepancies in communication and the means by which we can accommodate to each other's differences, either via third party help or between ourselves. The interaction of each person's tacit (background of practices) and their interpretation, set against this background, of the explicit (the utterance, silence, gesture) needs to find some mutual ground, involving their cultural self. The operation of mediation and negotiation will be considered in this context.
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Gill, S.P. Mediation and communication of information in the cultural interface. AI & Soc 13, 218–234 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01174778
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01174778