ABSTRACT
It is suggested that interpersonal communication occurs as a hierarchy of formally determined cybernetic responses. How a given communication sequence develops can be seen as a function of the strength of motivations of the two parties, their knowledge of the system, and how they respond to each other's adumbrations. All communication in this sense can be viewed as a discourse, even though different styles are used, while ability to participate in the discourse is a function of programing. Intuitively, the specialist in intercultural communications has known for a long time that neither of these positions is appropriate as a matter of policy. In the international political arena, adumbrative space has proved to be significant indeed. All other things being equal, and given a willingness to negotiate in the first place, there is little adumbrative significance for Americans regarding the choice of the place of a negotiation.
