body-language.doc

Abstract Body language is an important part of nonverbal communication and it is connected with culture. In order to make successful exchange in cross-cultural communication, we should know the body language from different cultures. And we should realize that body language, like verbal communication and culture, also has many similarities all over the world. However, body language from different cultures has many differences because of different regions, races and cultural customs. And it is restricted by its culture and has different cultural connotations. That is to say, the same body language has different meanings in different cultures and has different social functions. This article devotes to a comparison and contrast of body language in different cultures in terms of eye language, gestures, postures, facial expressions and touch. It aims to illustrate the differences and similarities of body language and put forward the principles of reducing barriers in communication so as to achieve efficient communication and to avoid misunderstanding.Key Words Nonverbal Communication; Body Language; Cultural Differences and Similarities; Principles【摘 要】身势语是非语言交际的重要组成部分并和文化紧密联系在一起。为了在跨文化交际中能够成功地进行交流，我们应该了解不同文化的身势语，必须承认世界各国的身势语与语言和文化一样，也有相似之处。然而，由于地域，种族，文化习俗的差异，不同文化的身势语有许多差异。它们由文化制约并拥有独特的文化内涵。也就是说，同样的身势语在不同文化背景下有不同的含义，行使着不同的社会功能。本文致力于从目光语，手势语，身体姿态，面部表情，体触语方面对不同文化的身势语进行对比。目的在于通过列举身势语的文化差异与共性，并提出交际中遵循的原则，从而促进有效交流，避免误解。Cultural Differences of Body LanguageDifferent believes are the causes of the differences of body language. According to the theories proposed by American anthologists Barnettt Pearce, Verrion Cronent, peoples behavior, the way of thinking and so on are affected by their believes. And every culture has its distinctive belief system. A normal action in this culture will be abnormal in another one. A positive behavior in one culture will be negative in another. People from eastern world advocate modesty, tolerance, mutual-support and responsibility for the group. But western people admire independence, self-respect, free development, and requiring individual space and so on. Next, we will go to the differences of body language from five parts.4.1 Eye LanguageAs saying goes “The eyes are the window of the soul”. That is to say, we can read ones mind through his/her eyes. Eye language can express complicated feelings and it is an important way to judge the intimacy of communicators. People from English speaking countries have more eye contact when they are in conversation. According to American tradition, communicators must gaze at each other. “But there are many rules about eye language: Whether to look at the other communicator or not; when it is the time to look at them, how long we can look at; who we can look at and who we cant; they all imply different meanings in communication.”6p94 In Juliets Fasters book “Body Language”, there is a paragraph which can explain the problem. “Two strangers sit face to face in the dinning room in a train; they can introduce themselves to each other. When they are eating, they can talk anything else. They also can avoid eye contact and do not show interest in each other. A writer described this situation in an article “They look over the menu again and again, play with knives and look at their nails. It seems that they look at them for the first time. If their eyes meet, they will turn away immediately and look out of the window.”(4) Americans pay great attention to the time and the way of eye contact. In common conversation, they will look at each other about one minute and then they will look away. If two Americans gaze at each other, which indicate they are intimate. In North America, the children there have learned to look at the other communicator directly. If they dont, they are regarded lack of enthusiasm or confidence. They believe the saying “Never trust a person who cant look you in the eyes.”7p36 (5) If two Arabians are in conversation, they will look at each other warmly. Because they think eyes are the key of their existence. But in American eyes, they think this behavior is unsuitable or a homosexual behavior. The educated Englishmen believe direct eye contact with our communicators is gentlemanly. But Swedenians use eye language more often than Englishmen. And the French especially like to look attentively at the other communicators with admiration. Japanese often look at the other communicators neck when they are in conversation. They believe eye contact is impolite. And Chinese consider gazing people is an unfriendly behavior and it is a challenge. Some South American Indians used to look at different directions when they are talking. In the Middle East, it is considered extremely provocative for a woman to let a man catch her eyes, let alone, return his gaze. (6) Another example, Americans have a trip to a village and the local people stare at them. They are annoyed and think the local people are rude. In fact, it is normal in the village. They are just curious. “American social psychologist Michael Argyle found out: People who like each other have more eye-contact than people who dislike each other.”8同5p35 In communication, looking down frequently can indicate submissiveness or embarrassment. Looking away constantly may express dissatisfaction. Females are likely to communicate with more eye contact, especially among females. But too long eye contact will cause embarrassment. Most people feel uneasy and uncomfortable under the strong staring. When people always stare at us, we will feel we are threatened or suspect their sincerity. From what is mentioned above we can conclude that different cultural background has a great influence on body language. And eye language also reflects different cultures and believes. So we need to observe and compare and contrast carefully so as to improve cultural exchange and to blend well.4.2 Gestures “Gesture means we communicate and express by the movement and manners of our hands and fingers.”9p123 “Without gestures, our world will be static and colorless. We may literally roll up our sleeves when talking about cleaning up the room and run to meet the person we are eager to see. It seems natural to clench our fist or perhaps even pound to the lectern to let every one realize the importance of our message when trying to communicate a strong feeling, which emphasize our words.”10p64 In our daily life, every one makes gestures, but many gestures have distinct regional and cultural features. “Dont assume that every one in the world understands one gesture in the same way.”11p44 For example，(7) Americans often touch their temples to express somebodys cleverness. But this action means there is something wrong with ones mind or one is stupid to Chinese. Chinese are often surprised to see Americans lay their hands on their necks when they are full. Because it is an suicide action to Chinese, who used to express fullness by patting their stomachs. And another example, (8) In western culture, people stretch out ones fore finger and swing it left and right, which signals to warn somebody not to do something. The phrase “cross ones fingers” means blessing somebodys good luck. The gesture of thumbing a ride signifies asking for a free ride in motor vehicle by stretching up ones thumb. In America, people hold their thumbs and fore fingers into a circle and stretch up the other fingers, which means “OK” in America, but it means somebody is fired by boss in Japan. In China, holding up ones thumb means good, and raising ones litter finger means bad. But Japanese will hold up their little fingers to express one is their lover. In America, waving ones hand means goodbye. But South Americans will not leave when they see this gesture, in turns; they will run towards you.(9) People from English-speaking countries turn around their rings constantly to show nervousness or uneasiness. Now people from Taiwan and Hong Kong also have this gesture. But if people in the mainland of China act like this, they will be regarded they are showing off richness. It is clear to see the same gesture with different meanings in different cultures, and people from different cultures will express same meaning by different gestures. So it is necessary for us to know the cultural difference to avoid misunderstanding. 4.3 Postures “Posture is a matter of how people sit, walk, stand and move.”12同8p65 What kind of posture people use also can reflect the cultural differences between east and west. “Hewes pointed out culture mostly determined what kind of postures people use and the meaning and emotion they suggested.”13同7p35 (10) According to Chinese tradition, people who are sitting have right to take charge of others: Monarch sits and officer stands; father sits and son stands; leader sits and employee stands and so on. So the younger give the old a seat to show respect. But in America and Britain, people who are in charge of others have tendency to stand. They will make use of the height of space to indicate the high status. People who have high status choose to sit when they are conversing with you, which mean they want to create harmonious and equal atmosphere and lessen space. So adults will bend down when they are talking to children. “Froyd once said “ No one can really keep secret. If he does not talk and keep silent, he will talk with his fingers. In a whole, part of his body will sell him out.”14同5p36 In fact, this statement refers that peoples postures, attitude and other body language can deliver more hidden information. People may control their facial expressions successfully and appear calm. But they do not realize that his nervousness and eagerness have let out from his body language. Their feet may be stamping on the floor. Madness is the emotion that may let out from our feet and legs.(11) When we are quarrelling with others, our feet will be nervous and trembling unconsciously. And females will make some teasing postures with their legs. And postures can also reflect peoples attitude towards their communicators. The research indicated: males communicate with the person they dont like, whether they are relaxed or nervous determined by whether their communicators are threatening or not. In this experiment, females will express dislike with very relaxing postures. Postures will be the clue of the internal relationship of a group. For example, (12) Guests are quarrelling because of dispute; we can make out the two quarrelling parts by their postures. People who agree with them will put their legs on the other legs. And people who are against will stretch out their legs straight. And some neutral people will hold arms. Somebody suddenly changes his/her postures, which may mean he disagrees with the person who is speaking or he/she is changing his/her mind. For example, (13) People from English speaking countries prefer kneeling or sitting on the ground to bending down. They think it is the posture of uncultivated people when they are surrounding the fire, and they are willing to kneel or sit on the ground. But people from the countryside of Northern China get used to this posture. In Indonesia, people often bow and put the other peoples hand on their forehead to express modesty. But Americans will not do it. Americans informalness is famous. Teachers can sit on the platform or desk when they are teaching. And the students neednt to sit straight. But in China, people are required to have a good manner. For example,(14) In interpersonal communication, good manners show great respect to the other people. For example, having an interview for job-hunting, we should behave well. “And we can conclude something from peoples posture. When we listen to people, we believe they are more energetic, confident and competent if they stand erect. On the other hand, when we see a person slouching over a lectern or standing lazily, we make a negative interpretation. We say the person is not very interested in what they are discussing.”15同10p654.4 Touch Touch refers to the way people exchange information by touching ones body. The most common touch behavior is hands shaking and hugs. Chinese belong to low-contractual cultures. (15) In China, people greet with each other with head nodding, smile, hand shaking and so on. Even good friends just hold hands for a short time or hammer softly on the other friends shoulder. As for hand shaking, people in North America shake hands when they greet with each other. As children, they have learnt to hold other peoples hands tightly. East Asian people often shake hands slightly; because they think tight hand shaking means challenge. Nowadays, hand shaking has become a custom to show hospitality and friendliness in many countries. But the way of hand shaking is a little different. For example, (16) The French will shake hands with his host when they come into and leave the hosts house. But Germans only shake hands only with their host when they come into the house. Some Africans will make a sound by fingers after hand-shaking to show freedom. And Chinese shake hands for a short time and loose and then they stand away from each other. But Chinese shake hands tightly and keep closer to express politeness and respect. (17) In English speaking countries, people used to hug or kiss each other in public between males and females, which is unacceptable and only exists between lovers and couples in private in China. In America, common friends and acquaintances will avoid body touch. Even in the elevator, body touch is not allowed. Touching the other people slightly or unconsciously, people will say “Sorry”, “Very Sorry”, “Excuse me” in a hurry to express apology. Or they will be abused. In western countries, people particularly mind their private space, which often represents peoples privacy and intimacy. But Chinese pay less attention to their private space. It is crowded in China because of a large population. So Chinese have got used to it and they often show their understanding and tolerance. Though Japanese also pay less attention to private space, they have strict rules in body touching. Arabians like body touching. Whether at home or in public, they like to be together and often hug together when they meet. Even they often touch each others nose and smell each other, which will frighten Englishmen and Americans. (18) In English speaking countries, like America and Britain, females often hug males and kiss their faces to say goodbye. And in East Asian countries and western countries, males seldom hug but often shake hands to show welcome. Japanese often show welcome by bowing. In the countries like Arab, Russia, France, East Europe and some countries at the bank of the Mediterranean, males often hug tightly and kiss each others cheeks to show welcome. People living in Latin America also do the same thing. It is common to see youth of the same sex hold hands and hug in China. But in English speaking countries, it will be regarded homosexuality. “Scientists have made a survey on “touch” for the people from different countries. They spent an hour observing the people in couples in caf and counting their touching times: Englishmen-0; Americans-2; French-10; Puerto Rico-18.”16同6p94 In daily life, when teachers encourage their students or leaders appreciate their employees, they will pat their shoulders to express encouragement.4.5 Facial Expressions “The face has been called an organ of emotion because we constantly read facial expressions to understand what others are feeling. The face provides vital clues to our own feelings and those of the people around us. Of all the nonverbal channels, the face is the most important broadcaster of emotions.”17同10p64 (19) “There was once a dumb show called “eating chicken” at the spring festival party. The actor, Wang Jinyu, performed the whole process of eating chicken by his facial expressions and gestures without saying a single word, which gained a lot of applause.”18p58 If he can not convey his true feeling and exaggerated postures of eating chicken, the performance would be a failure. For example, (20) Journalists deliver information to the pubic mainly from what he interviewed from interviewees. So the interviewees cooperation determines the success of the report. And the reports on killing or robbery, not all the witness are willing to narrate the real situation of the scene. So experienced journalists will use facial expressions such as smile, head nodding to show they are interested so as to make the witnesses relax and feel easy and cooperate with the journalist actively and voluntantly. (21) And in many cultures, smiles are signs of happiness or friendliness, like America and China. We will find out others will return a smile to the person who is smiling at them but will turn away or stop talking with the person who are pulling a long face. “When we are speaking English, it is generally good to smile at your listener from time to time, especially when he has made an interesting comment. Also nodding your head up and down to show you are really interested in it. From time to time, you can add a sound of agreement, such as “Uh huh” or even just “mmmm”, to show you are listening.”19同11p44 For example, (22) When we have guests at home, we will smile to show welcome. But American Indians will cry to express welcome. Smiles will not only represent happiness and friendliness but also indicate apology and understanding. For instance, we stamped others feet on the bus because of a sudden brake; we will smile to the person. It means to say “Sorry”, “Very Sorry”. When colliding with a stranger, we will smile to show we have no hostility. The smile on the face of waiters or waitress means they welcome us. But sometimes, western people will feel disgusted about Chineses smile. For