Body Language on Nonverbal Communication.docx

1、Body Language on Nonverbal Communication非言语交流中的身体语言摘要：语言和文化都属于社会现象。不同的语言反映了不同的国家文化。身体语言，和我们的口语一样，也是文化的一部分。但并不是所有的身体语言在不同的文化中都表达同样的意思。不同的人们有不同的非言语交流方法。因此，为了有效的用外语交流，我们必须要知道身体语言中的姿势，身体活动，方式等。从某种意义上说，在一定的语境中，所有的身体语言都应该被翻译过来。忽视身体语言就会导致误解。中西方身体语言有相同点也有很多不同点，不同的文化对非言语交流也有很大的影响。关键词：非言语交流；身体语言；不同文化；不同方式Body

2、LanguageonNonverbalCommunicationAbstract：Both the language and the culture belong to the social phenomenon. Different languages reflect the differences of national cultures. “Body language”, like our verbal language, is also a part of our culture. But not all body language means the same thing in di

3、fferent cultures. Different people have different ways of making nonverbal communication. So in order to communicate effectively in a foreign language, one should know also the gestures, body movements, and manners etc. that accompany a particular language. In a sense, all body languages should be i

4、nterpreted, within a given context; to ignore the overall situation would be misleading. A comparative study of Chinese and western body languages show a number of similarities and diversities of body languages, whichhave different influence on nonverbal language after stating different cultures.Key

5、 words: nonverbal communication; body language; different culture; different ways1. IntroductionCulture consists of the values, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs shared by a group of people. Different countries have different cultures. Culture is the collective programming of the mind, which distingu

6、ishes the members of one category of people from another. (Hofstede, 1991) to live in a new century means experiencing the different ways of communication. This is very exciting and interesting, but it can also be a little challenging at times. The cultures of all countries are unique, which means t

7、hat people who have grown up in different places will have different ways of behaving, different ways of thinking about things and different ways of expressing themselves. This means that culture is like a kind of glue that holds society together. We learn about the culture of our own society in a v

8、ery natural way as we grow up- it is in the dos and donts about how we treat people, how we behave and what we believe in that we learn as children.Nonverbal communication, composed of pictures, dresses, eye contact, spatial signals, gestures and so on, is as important as verbal communication. The s

9、tudy of nonverbal communication should be complementary to the study of language. The understanding of one should be helpful in the further understanding of the other. Some authorities feel that the two are dependent on each other. This is certainly true in most situations. But it is also true that

10、in some certain situation body action contradicts what is being said, just as the spoken words may mean something quite different from what nonverbal communication communicates. When this occurs, one must try to get further information, or guess the meaning from the context of the situation. In a ca

11、se, all nonverbal communication should be interpreted within a certain given context; to ignore the overall situation could be misleading. Therefore, in this paper, we attempt to discuss the intercultural differences in body language, especially those in gesture, posture, eye language, touch and dis

12、tance.2. The Necessity and Importance of Learning Body Language on Nonverbal CommunicationAlthough we may not realize it, when we converse with others we communicate by much more than words. By our expressions, gestures and other body movements we send messages to those around us; a smile and an out

13、stretched hand show welcome. A form is a sign of pleasure. Nodding ones head means agreement“Yes”. Waving an outstretched hand with open palm is the gesture for “goodbye”. Leaning back in ones seat and yawning at a talk or lecture shows lack of interest, boredom. These gestures have come to be accep

14、ted in general as having the meanings mentioned, at least to Chinese and Americans. There are parts of the way in which we communicate. This “body language”, like our verbal language, is also a part of our culture. But not all body language means the same thing in different cultures. Different peopl

15、e have different ways of making nonverbal communication. So in order to communicate effectively in a foreign language, one should know also the gestures, body movements, mannerisms etc. that accompany a particular language.Body language is an important way through which people communicate with each

16、other. Sometime body language prevails over words. It refers to the patterns of facial expressions and gestures that people use to express their feelings in communication. The specialist on body language researchFenLafleAngles, once said: Once it was lost, a baby couldnt have grown into a normal per

17、son. Its also true to the juveniles. In school education, body language plays a positive role in cultivating the students characters.3. The Concrete Types and Application of the Body Language3.1 Types of body language3.1.1Distance between people conversingDistance between the two is the key factor.

18、Different people have different ideas about the proper distance between people conversing. We have found that the important thing to keep in mind is that most English-speaking people do not like people to be too close. Being too far apart, of course, may be awkward, but being too close makes people

19、uncomfortable, unless there is a reason, such as showing affection or encouraging intimacy. But that is another matter. In some Asian countries, it is quite common to see people shoving and crowding on buses and in most public places, which might startle the English-speaking people greatly. Therefor

20、e, the lack of knowledge of cultural differences may lead to considerable misunderstanding.3.1.2In English-speaking countries, physical contact in conversation is generally avoided among ordinary friends or acquaintances.The appropriateness of physical contact varies with different cultures. In Engl

21、ishspeaking countries, physical contact is generally avoided in conversation among ordinary friends or acquaintances. Merely touching someone may cause an unpleasant reaction. If one touches another person accidentally, he/she usually utters an apology such as “Sorry, “Oh”, “Im sorry”, “Excuse me”,

22、etc.InChina, a common complaint of western mothers is that Chinese often fondle their babies and very small children. Such behaviorwhether touching, patting, hugging or kissingcan be quite embarrassing and awkward for the mothers. They know that no harm is meant, and that such gestures are merely si

23、gns of friendliness or affection, therefore they cannot openly show their displeasure. On the other hand, such actions in their own culture would be considered rude, intrusive and offensive, and could arouse a strong dislike and even repugnance. So the mothersoften stand by and watch in awkward sile

24、nce, with mixed emotions, even when the fondling isrequiredby Chinese friends or acquaintances.The matter of physical contact between members of the same sex in English-speaking countries is a delicate one. Once past childhood, the holding of hands, or walking with an arm around anothers shoulder is

25、 not considered proper. The implication is homosexuality, and homosexuality generally arouses strong social disapproval in these countries.3.1.3Eye contactEye contact is an important aspect of body language. One could draw up quite a list of “rules” about eye contact: to look or not to look; when to

26、 look and how long to look; who and whom not to look at.In conversations with people who know each other, however, American custom demands that there should be eye contact. This applies to both the speaker and the listener. For either one not to look at the other person could imply a number of thing

27、s, among which are fear, contempt, uneasiness, guilt, indifferenceeven in public speaking there should be plenty of eye contact. For a speaker to “buryhis nose in his manuscript”, to read a speech instead of looking at and talking to hidden audience, as some Chinese speakers are in the habit of doin

28、g, would be regarded as inconsiderate and disrespectful.In conversations, a person shows that he is listening by looking at the other persons eyes or face. If the other person is speaking at some length, the listener will occasionally make sounds like “Hmm”, “Ummm”, or nod his head to indicate his a

29、ttention. If he agrees with the speaker, he may nod or smile. If he disagrees or has some reservations, he may slant his head to one side, raise an eyebrow, and have a quizzical look.The eyes communicate more than any other part of the human anatomy. Staring or gazing at others can create pressure o

30、r tension in the room. Gangs have fought over the way someone looked at them. Shifty eyes, too much blinking can suggest deception. People with eye movements that are relaxed and comfortable, yet attentive to the person they are conversing with are seen as more sincere and honest.“The language of th

31、e eyes”one of the most common and ancient ways of exchanging feelings between boys and girls, men and womenis especially elaborate in theUnited States. Much study has been made of this: how people of the opposite sex show interest or indifference, encouragement or discouragement, approval or disappr

32、oval, affection or aversion. However, there are many differences even within theUnited States.Men use their eyes in different ways women do; there are differences of age, class or social status and geographical region; there are differences of ethnic background.The story is told of a teenage Puerto Rican girl in aNew Yorkhigh school who was taken with a number of other girls to the principal for suspected smoking. Although there was no proof of any wrongdoing and although she had a good record, the principal decided she was guilty and suspended her. “There was something sl