非语言交际在跨文化中的应用.docx

跨 文 化 交 际 结 课 论 文非语言交际在跨文化中的应用The Usage of Non-verbal Communication in Cross-cultural二级学院： 教 学 系： 专业班级： 学生姓名： 指导教师： The Usage of Non-verbal Communication in Cross-culturalA Thesis Presented toSchool of Foreign LanguagesTianjin University of CommerceIn Partial Fulfillmentof the Requirements for the DegreeofBachelor of ArtsIIAbstract (in English)IAbstract (in Chinese)II1. The definition of nonverbal communication12. The main categories in non-verbal communication22.1 Body language32.2 Posture32.3Paralanguage32.4Appearance32.5Vehicle43.The mistakes of non-verbal communication in cross-cultural 43.1In body languages53.2In gestures53.3In business contacts53.4In conversation distance64.The reasons of nonverbal communication failures in cross cultural 65.The role of non-verbal communication in cross-cultural communication86. Conclusion9Works cited11Abstract As a symbol of human community, the non-verbal communication is playing an indispensable role in cross-cultural. In fact, people always care the verbal communication, but overlook the misleading or conflict caused by cultural gap in non-verbal communication. Therefore, it is necessary for us to know the relationship between non-verbal communication and cross-cultural, realize their conception and interaction, analyze the reason of the communication misunderstanding in order to observe the customs of the place and seek common points while reserving difference.Key words: nonverbal communication; cross-cultural communication; cultural diversity摘要作为人际传播的一种符号，非语言交际在跨文化中扮演着非常重要的作用。在实际中，人们总是只注重语言交际,而忽略非语言交际所产生的重要意义及由于文化差异和运用不当所带来的误解和冲突。因此，人们有必要对非语言交际与跨文化传播两方面来了解其相互关系，明确其内涵与相互作用，分析传播隔阂的原因，从而入乡随俗，求同存异。 关键词： 非语言交际；跨文化交际；文化差异 II1. The definition of nonverbal communicationPeople in different cultures use different nonverbal gestures to communicate with others and this is a common atmosphere in our human society. Some of these gestures are conscious but some gestures are unconscious. What people say with their facial expressions, for example, is an important form of communication. What is acceptable is one culture maybe completely unacceptable in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is appropriate; another may consider this gesture rude. We are often not aware of how gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and the use of space affect communication, when we are not aware of their of their meaning within a culture. Just like cultural norms it would be impossible for anyone to learn all the possible nonverbal communication behavior meanings, while we expect language to be different, we are less likely to expect language to be different , we are less likely to expect and recognize how the nonverbal symbols are different.On the subject of nonverbal communication, western learners had proposed many definitions. Some of them are very simple, such as Nonverbal communication is communication without words(Alastair Penny, 1985).Many nonverbal expressions vary from culture to culture, and it is just those variation that make nonverbal misinterpretation a barrier. Just like a book I read before had mentioned the nonverbal communication, in that book the author mainly has identified two perspectives on nonverbal communication: She writes that much nonverbal communication does have sensually recognized meanings and consistent usage within a culture and as much forms a vocabulary of nonverbal symbols. She also contends that some nonverbal communications, even in the same culture, are so ambitious that their interpretation is mediated by contexts. Comparing observations and interpretations of nonverbal symbols often will reveal their ambiguity.2. The main categories in non-verbal communicationTo be honest, according to the current situation, the nonverbal language especially in cross cultural is playing an important role with the development of information revolution and globalization. There is a growing increase in communication between people from different word and different cultures and the nonverbal communication especially in cross-communication has become an indispensable characteristic in our life. There are two ways of human communication, and this kind of communication includes the language way and the non-verbal way. In order to express thoughts and feelings, convey and accept information, communicate and understand each other, the speakers would like to refer to use their familiar sound languages in language communication. And these language communication behaviors are used in various language communication activities, it includes eyes, gestures, smiles, facial expressions, costumes, physical contact, distance, the volume of the speech, the concept of time, the use of space, and so on. Owing to their complex contents and varies functions in this nonverbal communication, the nonverbal language involved many kinds of types. The main categories in nonverbal language can be explained as follows:2.1Body languageIn order to definite the body language as strict as possible, the terms about this can be divided into two parts: one is kinesics, which is an important branch of the study in non-verbal communication. The other is body language, which includes body movements, gesture, and body behaviors. Body language is a kind of facial expressions or active movements in a process to pass the interpersonal messages. The two speakers can use body language to express their inner heart and willing. Ekman and Friesen classified continuous facial and body movements into five categories according to the reason, usage and code of various behaviors. (Knapp, 1978:13-18)1) Emblems2) Illustrators3) Affect display4) Regulators5) AdaptersThe body language is estimated in language learning and human body, it can move in many ways to express different meanings. There is much more than vocal sound. The classification of body language is also complex. Therefore, many different movements and gestures are in a position to expressing various meanings, some maybe vague articles, some maybe specific items, some may be used in social conditions, and some may be used for self-expression. 2.2PosturePosture is a look or a condition of someones poses, for example, sitting, lying, standing, crouching, walking, running, kneeling and so on. Famous anthropologist named Gordon Hew summed that there are more than one thousand postures after studying many cultures. Usually, postures can be classified into three types according to its characteristicstanding, bent-knee positions and lying. People from all cultures will share basic postures so that it can reflect their own culture background. But there are some subtle differences in walking, lying, crouching or standing, which sometimes cause culture shock in cross-cultural communication.2.3ParalanguageParalanguage commonly refers to the words or the unfixed semantic sounds, and it usually come into effect by the tone, volume, speed, quality and the clarity of the speech. The subject on paralanguage is paralinguistic. Whats more, the so-called Paralanguage is also named paralinguistic features. Paralanguage usually refers to nonverbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion.2.4AppearanceNo matter how important the appearance is considered in human life, people still care a bit of their looks or appearance. But in the world culture, appearance is standard of beauty, which has been heightened both commonness and individuality.Shaffer said, “Considerable evidence exists to suggest that a persons physical attractiveness, particularly affects the inferences others make about his or her personal attributes, popularity, social skills, and future life outcomes. Specifically, people consistently attribute more desirable attributes to physically attractive persons and expect these attractive individuals to experience more favorable life outcomes as well.” (Shaffer, David R., Nicole Crepaz and Sun Chien-ru, 2000, 557-583)In the modern western culture, naked body can be tolerated a lot; But in Chinese culture, exposing parts of the body is less tolerated in the west; But in Arab countries, women have to dress strictly and veil the face to cover the most of the body, and in public, womens bare legs is a big mistake. Therefore, different cultures have different dressing standards or wearing-style requirements. Especially in business settings, for example, some students, exchanged from France to the United States. They have spent more than 5 years on studying in USA, but they still feel frustrated and misled on their interviews in America, because the French business style is much more striated, while the American style is more conservative and severe. They would find their American business suits totally inappropriate in French interview situations. Not only France people but also the whole Europeans tend to wear suits that are more tailored and youthful than businesspeople in the United States do. So concerning dress, the suggestion here is: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.2.5VehicleVehicle, actually speaking, is no the tools that we always used in transportations, they are virtually playing an important role in paralanguage, which is the extension of peoples appearances. The vehicles could reflect the thoughts, conceptions, and the characteristics of a person; it could be able to send many background messages about the person: communities or groups, his or her socio-economic or political status and occupational identification, values, interests and personality. The messages revealed by vehicles, like other nonverbal behaviors, could not be regarded as precise. However, like the house, office and dresses, they can tell one something about the owner. 3. The mistakes of non-verbal communication in cross-culturalThe non-verbal communication is also called gesture language communication or the body language, which could be able to express the progress of message by humans body, for example, by means of the postures, facial expressions, actions and so on. And the mistakes could be found like the examples follows in many cross-cultural ways:3.1In body languages The example is given of a United States technical instructor in Iran who complained that his students werent paying any attention to him. The basis of the instructors inference was that his Iranian students were passively sitting and staring at him instead of taking notes on the important points of his lecture. On the basis of his experience with students in the United States who expect lectures to supplement the texts, he believed that note taking is a cue signaling boredom or distraction. He failed to learn that Iranian students expect lectures to correspond exactly to the text so that they perceive no need to take notes.3.2In gesturesJust like some westerners would like to regard OK as saying the words Im very glad to negotiate a deal with you, but the Japanese are regarded OK as a suggestion that someone is asking for money from you. The reason is that, in Japan, OK is like COINSs shape, said the meaning of money. French people understand OK gesture for zero or worthless, in Germany and Brazil and other countries, this gesture is very rude or insulting in communicating.3.3In business contactsActually, the mutual visit or inviting date in business contacts are very common business activities, and people can draw the contracts in business invitation. Chinese people believe that the holiday time is the best period for their friends and relatives to gather together in the same time. Therefore, holidays are usually preferred by Chinese over the weekend. But the European and American countries people are in the contrary way, they dont like to cater or meet friends at this time or to accept this invitation. They regard the holiday is a time of people who could be able to be with their family numbers, it is a leisure, a relaxation, and a narcissism. If you are invited to an appointment, especially in the official weekly date, they will consider the other party intentionally disturb others rest, meddle in their private life, or a lack of respect to people. The German business people were once rejected dating his Chinese friends at the weekend because Sunday is the day when god arrange me to relax and enjoy myself.3.4In conversation distancePeople in the United States, the conversation distance for them is between 18 to 36 inches, and the conversation distance between the close friends is 6-18 inches, conversation for the average distance is between 6-18 inches. However, the distance to the Latin American descent is closely related to the people. Anthropologists have proved that the United States, Japan, Britain, Canada, the Nordic countries is a non-contact culture, but in Latin America, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Russia is a cultural contact. In fact, people in Latin America, touch is a way of talking, Latinos touch others when they meet greeting hello or as a form of request, such as can I talk to you?” When we meet people in Latin American countries, women would touch, kiss and warm hug each other, but this accident cannot be happened especially in Latin America, when men and women almost meet altogether, they never touch each other like Latin. If they meet for the first time, they just a nod to each other or gently hold the lauds hands with him.In conclusion, nonverbal behavior and culture has a very close relationship with the rich cultural connotation. It reflects the peoples value orientation and code of conduct. In intercultural business communication, therefore, not only requires appropriate language, but also requires appropriate non-verbal behavior. In order to achieve the aim of normal communication, and introduce the conceptionwhen in Rome, do as the Romans do. This is the basic principles of cross-cultural communication in business activities.4. The reasons of nonverbal communication failures in cross culturalThe reasons are manifold failures in intercultural nonverbal communication: The first is the differences of associative meaning. Goyern was famous for effective communication with such a formula: (Goyern Robert S., 1970) R/S = receivers fancy/senders fancy = 1. S is on behalf of the sender information or information source.R is on behalf of the information receivers. When the understanding of the meaning of information is smoothly explained at the same time, the answer is 1. However, in cross-cultural communication, it is almost impossible to reach 1, but it can be infinitely close to. The greater difference ratio less 1, the more mistakes you may make in your communication. Relevance theory believes that speakers of context, and his actual use of the mismatch between contexts, will lead to misunderstanding. (Sparser & Wilson, 2001) According to the information mention above, we can realize the character of nonverbal behaviors, namely ambitiousness. Thus, to decode the nonverbal behaviors, all of the above factors should be taken into consideration. We cannot read nonverbal symbols like reading a book. In addition to being cultural bond, the context in which the nonverbal communication occurs, the relationship between the sender and the receiver, the moods or feelings of the communicators and even the objects the communicators are talking about will affect the interpretation of the nonverbal behaviors. In order to measure the behavior of other people, the national centralism tendency is often used in our cultural standards. People always take it for granted that their nation or group of values, social norms and social language rules are more real and more correct. Cultural bias is a kind of preconceived notion; it is not a general view of the error, but the wrong judgment of other groups or individuals to take negative attitude. As a result, cross-cultural communication will unconsciously give priority to self-conscious; ignore the feelings of others, which caused communication failure. The stereotype is a particular cultural group for each member as the stereotype (a stereotypical representative), or a monolithic culture orientation of cultural image as a whole. As mentioned above, the foreign behavior is a kind of typical cultural stereotype.Nonverbal communication could be learned and imitated. At the infant period of human being, the babies cannot speak or understand the adults words. They know nothing about the world at that time. They find everything curious. Before they can understand adults words or have the ability to speak, the only way they perceive their culture is to observe and imitate. And before they can speak, they have learned a lot nonverbal ways to express their feelings or to communicate with the adults, for example they may cry to mean they are hungry and they may use their hands to scratch their eyes to show they want to go to sleep. From this fact, we could conclude that nonverbal communication could be learned and imitated. Actually, differences in associative meaning, and talked about several kinds of psychological cognitive factors above, in the final analysis is the difference of culture. The influence of culture and values differences, different cultures, different values, the communicative behavior will have differences, not only displays in language communication, there are a lot of in nonverbal communicative behavior. Raise your hand is cast sufficient between, often reflect the different cultural features and values. Because do not know or ignore the other values in communication, social and cultural background difference, often lead to misunderstandings and communication b