2.3. Субкультурные особенности коммуникантов в речевом событии

Intercultural and subcultural differences often can cause a culture clash or even a culture bump. Cultural peculiarities of the participants influence the results of the communication event. The aim of this analysis is to observe what impact can have subcultural peculiarities on this speech event.

Both participants are representatives of one ethnic culture (Russian), but there are some differences in their subcultures, the participants belong to different generations. Both Anastasia and Svetlana refer to low power distance culture and to individualistic culture. The hierarchy of power is imperceptible in spite of the fact that if Svetlana get the job she would be managee. This communication event refers to person-oriented communication style. All questions asked by Anastasia concern the personality of Svetlana, her experience and achievements. It’s also a sign of individualistic culture. Svetlana definitely has motivation based on personal achievements. Anastasia asks about new and unique methods of management and Svetlana is aware of it, Anastasia also gives prominence on truth by saying: “Насчёт рекомендаций от бывших работодателей, если я позвоню работодателю, например, Морозовой Анне Николаевне, что она может про вас сказать?” But Svetlana uses collectivistic culture-oriented communication once. She tries to show her authority implicitly by telling to Anastasia about horizontal and vertical types of careers as if Anastasia is young and inexperienced.

The communication style of both participants is direct and contains explicit verbal messages. Anastasia gives a direct personal opinion: “Что-то у вас, Светлана Петровна, получается всё так слаженно отвечать на вопросы.” Svetlana gives full and informative answers; she doesn’t embarrass Anastasia’s personal remark. This communication event has topic-comment structure. Anastasia gives a topic and then comments it (if it’s necessary) and Svetlana’s answers begin with the main thought and then some more details are given. While answering Svetlana uses self-enhancement and elaborate communication: her answers look like self-promotion and her style is expressive because the extent of clauses is rather big.

Concerning masculine and feminine culture-oriented communication, this communication event is a balancing act. It combines both styles at the same time: Anastasia challenges and affiliates the interviewee at a time, she also takes control of the whole communication event and she is dominant. Svetlana perceives this interview as a competition but she’s also ready for mutual cooperation taking into consideration her nonverbal behavior (open gesture with her hand).

Another problem of this communication event is that each participant has different level of uncertainty avoidance. Anastasia asks concrete questions (e.g. “Кто такой рекрутёр?”) without any excessive information (high uncertainty avoidance) while Svetlana goes into details and even starts explaining to Anastasia what horizontal and vertical careers mean (low uncertainty avoidance), sometimes she loses logic while answering.

The different age subcultures of the participants are expressed in different levels of uncertainty avoidance and in different treatment of the authority. It, of course, causes some misunderstandings but they are not essential and make no barrier for communication.