A Contrastive Analysis of Body Language in Between Chinese and American Culture.doc

毕业论文(设计)A Contrastive Analysis of Body Language in Between Chinese and American CultureA Contrastive Analysis of Body Language in Between Chinese and American Culture11.Introduction2People communicate with each other not only by verbal means, but also by nonverbal. Non-verbal communication mainly expresses real emotion and attitude through facial expression, gesture, eye behavior, clothes, sound, etc. For instance, waving hand is to show farewell; offering our hand with a slight smile to others means welcome. When listening to a report, people lean against the chair, which suggests that they are not interested in the report.22. The differences of body language in between Chinese and American culture32.1 Eye contact32.2 Touch52.3 Facial expression82.4 Gestures102.4.1 The same gestures with different meanings in the two cultures112.4.2 Different gestures with the same meanings in the two cultures112.4.3 Gestures with certain meanings in one culture, no equivalent in the other culture122.5 Postures13Postures are usually classified into three categories: stance, bent-knee position (which includes sitting, squatting, and kneeling) and lying.13There are many similarities between Chinese and American people in stance and sitting position. Still, there exist differences which may confuse both parties. In China, a slouching posture is a sign of poor manner on many occasions, for Chinese value proper stance and sitting position. However, Americans often fall into chairs or slouch when they stand, because being casual and friendly is valued in America. There are also cultural differences as far as gait is concerned. Chinese people may reproach Americans for being arrogant because of their long strides. On the other hand, Chinese peoples gait may be thought as shy and timid. The differences are caused by the simple reason that Americans need more space than Chinese do. Besides, there is another underlying reason: Chinese culture stresses modesty, so it is improper to swagger. Standing with arms akimbo is common in America with neutral meaning. Such a posture may be adopted both by men and women. Women adopt this posture to show their impatience. However, such a posture is regarded as a threat in China.13Sitting posture is a constant source of cultural misunderstandings. For example: Americans feel very relaxed at home and in their private offices. They may sometimes sit on the carpeted floor or the ground. This is taken as a dirty habit in China. When Chinese have to sit on the floor or the ground, they invariably spread a handkerchief or a newspaper. Americans in turn would interpret this to be a dirty habit because to them, handkerchiefs should not be used to mop the floor, nor should newspapers be littered here and there. When American teachers sit on the desk in class to create a light atmosphere, Chinese students are often shocked by that. Besides, an American in his private office may lean far back in his chair or even put his legs up on desk when talking on the phone or to other people. To them, it is a sign of being relaxed. A male leader may put his legs up on the desk to show his amicability and friendliness. Nevertheless, such a posture is extremely offensive to Chinese.14From these differences, we may note the values, norms, and beliefs of Chinese and American of culture, which is reflected in the nonverbal codes. In the United States, the emphasis is upon informality, but Chinese emphasize the good manner reflected in standing or sitting. A well-known saying may prove it: (we should) stand as straight as a pine and sit as upright as a bell.152.6 Distance153. The similarities of body language in between Chinese and American culture164. Conclusion171.IntroductionPeople communicate with each other not only by verbal means, but also by nonverbal. Non-verbal communication mainly expresses real emotion and attitude through facial expression, gesture, eye behavior, clothes, sound, etc. For instance, waving hand is to show farewell; offering our hand with a slight smile to others means welcome. When listening to a report, people lean against the chair, which suggests that they are not interested in the report.All of us feel that it is more difficult to communicate with the foreigners by telephone than to do it face to face. This is just because there is no help from nonverbal or body language. Psychologist estimates that sixty to eighty percent of all communication is conducted through non-verbal communication. Its believed that the information delivered by a persons appearance and action is much more than that of a persons words. Birdwhistell, an American scholar, deems that among all means of expressing meaning and emotion, more than sixty-five percent is finished through facial expression, action, gesture, posture, etc. Some studies in America indicate that in expressing emotion and attitude, intonation and facial expression can convey more than ninety-three percent of information while language can only deliver about seven percent of information. From the fingers mentioned above, we know that non-verbal communication plays an important role in intercultural communication. It can transmit much more information and emotion. Body language is a means of non-verbal communication. With the globalization of economy and culture in the world, communication between different cultures has become an inevitable trend. Owing to cultural differences, the same body language has different meanings in different cultures, which causes a lot of trouble in intercultural communication. Therefore, it is of great importance for us to be aware of the cultural differences of body language in intercultural communication. This thesis focuses on the contrastive analysis of body language in between Chinese and American culture.2. The differences of body language in between Chinese and American culture2.1 Eye contactEyes are a very important communication tool. Theyre “the window of soul”, because eyes can give us a lot of real information. Eye contact is one of the most important aspects of dealing with others. It happens between two persons. The sender uses them to convey information and the receiver uses them to get information. In drama, fiction, poetry and music, eyes have always been a fascinating topic, from Shakespeares “thou talks me there is murder in mine eye” to Bob Dylans “Your eyes said more to me that night than your lips would ever say” to the lyric “your lips tell me no, no, but theres yes, yes in your eyes” Gaze and glance are special use of eye contact. They are important in all cultures, and can signal interest, attraction, approval, challenge, or turn-taking.The main difference of eye contact in between Chinese and American culture focuses on eye etiquette. The Chinese do not have much eye contact in conversation because in Chinese culture, staring at another for a long time is considered as an invasion of privacy, an act of defiance or demonstration of lack of trust. Contrast to that, American adult demand children look at them while they are speaking. American custom demands there should be eye contact to indicate attention. Too little eye contact may be seen impolite. This applies to both the speaker and the listener. If they dont do so, it would imply a number of things, such as fear, contempt, uneasiness, guilt, and indifference. The saying “never trust a person who dare not look you in the eyes” confirms the importance of eye contact in conversation. In America, even in public speaking, there should be plenty of eye contact. If the speaker bury his nose in his manuscript instead of looking at and talking to his audiences, which some Chinese speakers are in the habit of doing and the listeners can choose to listen, take notes and even glance over the data in the past, it would be regarded as inconsiderate and disrespectful. In American culture, people are expected to pay their attention to the people they talk to by maintaining corresponding eye contact. Staring at people or holding a glance too long is considered improper in America. It may make people uneasy and embarrassed. However, it was interesting that the ordinary and implicit Chinese stared at the strange foreigners curiously in the open time. In fact, the behavior had violated the taboo of communication. Americans can only stare at non-persons like animals, pictures, and scenery. If people are stared at, they are not regarded as human beings. Being unaware of it, Chinese people offend them many times. Many Americans traveling to China find being looked at is an unnerving experience because their cultures definition of it is being rude and unwelcoming. However, according to Chinese culture, this practice is quite common and it is nothing more than curiosity.2.2 TouchLike our words, movements are messages about what we are thinking and feeling. It is true with touch. Touch can indicate many things, including affection, aggression, and the type of status or relationship which exists between people. The way a dentist, doctor, or barber touches someone will differ from the way he/she touches or is touched by his/her friends and families.Generally speaking, we can regard America as non-contact culture. Americans try their best to avoid touching strangers in public. When Americans stand in line, they always try to keep a distance from others. If someone is too close with him, the first reaction is falling back. If not, he will incline aside and contract his muscle. If the invader hasnt reacted to the signal, he will use the bag which he takes with him or other things to protect him. In contrast, China is a country of togetherness, and China belongs to contact culture. In China, the sense of private space is comparatively weak. Crowdedness is quite ordinary because of the large population. People may feel uncomfortable with the physical contact in crowd, but in most of times, they would forgive and endure this kind of behavior rather than get angry. Although there is not much body contact or touch in public among strangers, Chinese people stand closer and touch more among intimates than Americans.In China, pushing and shoving are tolerated in crowded shops, buses, restaurants and other gatherings due to the large population. However, when Chinese have to touch strangers, they stiffen their body to compensate for the discomfort. Such crowded may seem unpleasant and aggressive to Americans. When showing the way, Americans seldom walk side by side. Instead, one often leads the others way by walking in front of him/her. If two persons walk side by side, they often keep a distance of 3 to 4 inches. Physical contact is also avoided either in conversation among ordinary friends or acquaintances or in queuing up among strangers. Merely touching someone may cause an unpleasant reaction. If one touches another person accidentally, he/she usually makes an apology such as “sorry”, “oh, Im sorry”, or “Excuse me”. The touch of babies and small children is also different due to different cultures. In America, such acts are avoided. In China, a common complaint of American mothers is that Chinese often fondle their babies and small children. Such behavior-whether touching, patting, hugging or kissing-can be quite embarrassing and awkward for American mothers. They know that it means no harm, and such gestures are merely signs of friendliness or affection, so they can not openly show their displeasure. However, such action in their own culture would be considered rude, intrusive and offensive and could arouse a strong dislike and even repugnance. Therefore, the American mothers often stand by and watch in awkward silence, with mixed emotions, even though the fondling is by Chinese friends or acquaintances.The matter of physical contact between members of the same sex in America is a delicate one. Once the childhood has passed, the holding of hands, or walking with an arm around anothers shoulder or waist, as is common in China, is not considered proper since it has the implication of homosexuality, which generally arouses strong social disapproval in America. Americans feel shocked when they come to China and find many Chinese “express feelings” like that in public. In America, its only common between husband and wife, lovers or members of the opposite sex. Actually, such gestures in China only mean intimacy or friendship. Besides, if a junior holds an elders hands, it may show the intimacy between them or the young persons respect or concern towards the elder.On the other hand, Chinese feel uneasy at the sight of hugging, embracing or kissing members of the opposite sex in public, which is a common practice in America. In America, it occurs frequently between husband and wife or close members of the family when meeting after a period of absence. A warm hug and embrace are a standard way of welcome. But these practices are seldom in China, for Chinese are reserved. They usually discourage the display of emotions and intimacy, thus they forbid such touching in public, especially from an opposite sex. So, when Americans touch or pat Chinese people on the shoulder in conversation, Chinese often avoid.Apart from such intimate contact, there is ritualized touch. The most obvious of a ritualized touch in America is handshake. This mutual gesture is widely practiced and serves as a substitute for a number of verbal messages: “hello”, “goodbye”, “its a deal” and “congratulations”. Handshake is common in China, too. People, especially men, tend to shake hands during initial meetings. There exist differences of handshake. To American people, Chinese shake hands are too long and less firmly. They call Chinese peoples handshake “dead-fish handshake” and Chinese regard theirs as “bone-crusher”, which means the handshake is too firm.2.3 Facial expressionThe face has been called “an organ of emotion”, because we constantly read facial expressions to understand what others are feeling. The face provides clues to our own feelings. For example, people make a big smile on their faces when they feel very happy, whereas, they make a long face when they feel unhappy. The face is the most important barometer of emotion among all non-verbal channels. We may be able to hide our hands, and may choose to be silent; however, we cant hide our faces. Since we cannot “put the face away”, we should pay much attention to the facial expression when we communicate with other people.We know the importance of facial expression in communication. However, the intercultural implications of these expressions are difficult to assess. For example, the Chinese dont readily show emotion. Most of them have the concept of saving face. Smiles and laughter usually convey friendliness, approval, satisfaction, pleasure and joy. This is generally true in China as well as in America. However, there are situations when some Chinese will laugh, which will cause negative reactions by Americans. For example: when a foreigner accidentally broke a glass, he was originally embarrassed. However, the laugh which the Chinese gave out on the spot made the foreigner more angry and disgusted. In fact, Chinese laugh of the foreigner didnt mean to take pleasure in the foreigners miss. It conveys a number of feelings: do not take it so seriously; laugh it off; its nothing; or such things can happen to any of us, etc. However, to people who are unaware of this attitude, the smile is usually quite unpleasant and often generates the feeling of laughing at them. So, in America, the Chinese smile is described as “inscrutable”.While making apologies the Chinese often use a smile either as a display of embarrassment or to placate the speaker. However, Americans dont accept apologies with a smile. When a mistake or an unfortunate incident has occurred, Americans will squeeze his or her lips together or lower the bottom lip, as Clinton repeatedly did during his televised appearances during the Lewinski Scandals. Any smile that seems less than apologies will make Americans angry. Sometimes, a smile with Americans tends to signal an intention to keep the atmosphere cordial, but for Chinese culture, it can mean an area of tension. After all, Chinese culture often uses the smile to display embarrassment or a feeling of discomfort with the conversation. American teachers in China often comment that on that first day of the class, students appear so happy. In fact, many are nervous and yet their smiles give the new inexperienced teacher some encouragement.Facial expressions carry meanings determined by context. Pain is conveyed by a grimace, which also signifies disgust or disapproval. Surprise, shock, or disbelief can be shown by raising eyebrows. A wink given to a friend may mean “You and I have a secret” or “Im just kidding”. Between a man and a woman, a wink can be flirtation. Our faces easily reveal emotions and attitudes.2.4 GesturesGestures are an important component of non-verbal communication. Without gestures, our word would be colorless. In a broad sense, they refer to special body movements that carry meanings. In a narrow sense, gestures are hand movements that are closely related to speech and are made by a speaker to illustrate what he is saying. Here we study on the narrow sense. Some gestures have been widely accepted and understood. For example, handshake is a gesture that goes with greeting. However, it must be emphasized here that gestures vary in meaning from culture to culture. They can be troublesome, for a slight difference in making the gesture can mean something quite different. A wrong interpretation of a gesture can arouse an unexpected reaction.2.4.1 The same gestures with different meanings in the two culturesBoth in China and America, there are many gestures practicing the same, but conveying a different meaning. A gesture with t