A Contrastive Study of Body Language Between Chinese and English-speaking Countries.doc

毕业论文(设计)B.A. Thesis A Contrastive Study of Body Language Between Chinese and English-speaking Countries B.A. Candidate: Zhang YutaoAdvisor: Wu Bifang Foreign Language DepartmentJiaying UniversityMay 22, 2008Acknowledgements As my B.A. thesis draws to a conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those individuals who assisted me to accomplish this dissertation. My deepest gratitude goes first and foremost to Miss Wu Bifang, my supervisor, for her constant encouragement and guidance. She has walked me through all the stages of the writing of this thesis. From the very beginning of reading books to the final draft, she helps me a lot as it always. Without her consistent and illuminating instruction, this thesis could not have reached its present form.Secondly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the professors and teachers at the Department of English: Mr. Zhu, Ms. Zhang, and Ms. Li, who have instructed and helped me a lot in the past four years.Last but not the least; my thanks would go to my beloved parents for their loving considerations and great confidence in me all through these years. Without their understanding and mutual support, I dont think I could enjoy the four years campus life.I also owe my sincere gratitude to my friends and my fellow classmates who supported me and accompanied with me during the difficult course of the thesis.AbstractIn human communication, people use body language to communicate, as well as verbal language. Body language is also called Kinesics. It belongs to the scope of nonverbal communication.Body language, like verbal language, is also a part of culture. But in different cultures body language means the different things. Different people have different ways of making nonverbal communication. Understanding the different cultural implication of English and Chinese body language can promote peoples cross-cultural communication competence, reinforce the heart-to-heart understanding and in the end will benefit the communication between English and Chinese people. This paper mainly explains the features and functions of body language in pragmatics, presents the meanings of body language in different cultures from the point of cultures, researches body languages cultural differences between English-speaking countries and Chinese, especially those in gesture, posture, facial expression, eye contact and physical distance, and discusses the importance of knowing cultural meanings. The research of English and Chinese body language in nonverbal communication is helpful for people to diminish or avoid misunderstandings caused by the cultural differences of body language.Key Words: body language English-speaking countries China contrast摘 要人们在进行交流的过程中，除了运用语言这种普遍的方式外，也经常运用身势语。身势语又称体态语，是人类交际中最常见的一种非语言交际手段。身势语对话语意义起着补充，强调，表情，象征或替代作用。身势语同语言一样，都是文化的一部分。在不同文化中，身势语的意义并不完全相同。各个民族有不同的非语言交际方式。了解英汉身势语的不同文化内涵，有助于英汉国家的人民之间更好地交流，提高跨文化交际能力，增进感情与心态的理解，做到“入乡随俗”，传情达意。本文重点论述了身势语的语用特征，功能，并从文化角度对身势语在不同的文化背景中的含义作了介绍，探讨了中国和英语国家在手势，姿态，面部表情，眼神与体距等方面的文化差异，论述了了解文化含义在非语言交际中的重要性。对跨文化交际中的英汉体态语进行探讨，有助于人们减少或避免在跨文化交际中因体态语的文化差异而引起的误解。关键词: 身势语 英语国家 中国 对比ContentsAcknowledgements.iAbstract (English).iiAbstract (Chinese). iiiContents. iv1. Introduction.12. A brief introduction of body language.2 2.1 The functions of body language22.2 The definition and context of body language. . . . . . . . 33. A comparative study of body language between Chinese and English-speaking countries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3.1Contrastive study of gestures. . . . . . . . . . . 53.1.1 The same gesture with different meanings in different cultures. . 63.1.2Different gestures with same meaning. . . . . . . . 73.1.3Gesture and meaning in one culture without equivalent in other cultures73.2Contrastive study of posture. . . . . . . . . . . 83.3Contrastive study of facial expression . . . . . . . . 103.4Contrastive study of eye contact. . . . . . . . . . 12 3.5Contrastive study of physical distance. . . . . . . . . .14 3.5.1 Contrastive study of physical contact. . . . . . . . . .15 3.5.2Contrastie study of touch. . . . . . . . . . . 174. Conclusion. . . . 18 References. . . . . 19 A Contrastive Study of Body Language Between Chinese and English-speaking Countries1. IntroductionWhat is intercultural communication? Intercultural communication is the process of communication between people from different cultural backgrounds. It can be divided into two types: verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Using language to communicate is called verbal communication. Another kind is often overlooked by us, but it plays a very important role in communication. That is non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication mainly expresses real emotion and attitude through facial expression, posture, eye behavior, clothes, sound, etc. For instance, waving hand is to show farewell, and 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. Non-verbal communication has a close relationship with historical culture of nations, thus, the meaning it expresses differs from nation to nation, and its differences bring about a lot of obstacles, misunderstandings and conflicts. Generally speaking, non-verbal communication can make effects independently in communication, and it can be a complement of verbal communication too. Because of the language barrier, people communicate with one another not only through verbal communication but also through non-verbal communication. Psychologist estimates that sixty to eighty percent of all communication is passed through non-verbal communication. (Cai Ziliang,2005: 56） That is to say, non-verbal communication plays an important role in intercultural communication. 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 express more than ninety-three percent of information while language can only deliver seven percent of information. Compare with the communicative function of verbal language, non-verbal communication can transmit much more information and emotion.（Pan ke, 2003:52） Body language, as a means of non-verbal communication, varies with culture and society. Because of different culture, the same body language has different meanings and communicative functions, which causes a lot of trouble in intercultural communication. Therefore, in intercultural communication, it is very important for us to understand the body language. 2. A brief introduction of body language2.1 The functions of body languageBody language is a means of non-verbal communication. It is the most natural part of non-verbal communication, and it helps verbal-communication achieve effective communication. During the study of communication, researchers just pay attention to the verbal communication without paying attention to body language, however, the message and information conveyed by body language is far better than words. “Abler Mebrabian, after a long-time study, he concludes a formula: the total impact of message = verbal (7%) + vocal (38%) + facial (55%).” （Zhang Jianqing,2004:26） Body language can reveal peoples hidden mind and feeling, but what is body language and what does it include? 2.2 The definition and context of body languageBody language is called kinesics. Birdwhistell, an American psychologist, is the first person that created the definition of “body language” and he called it “optics”, it means the system of motive power. Birdwhistell indicates that all parts of human body, all organs can express and exchange information, emotion and attitude. In the west, Birdwhistell is the leader in study of body language. He believes that among all means of expressing emotion and attitude, more than sixty percent is finished by facial expression, gestures, postures, etc.” （Jia Yuxing,1997:45） “This famous scholar indicates that face can make 250,000 kinds of expression and eyebrow can have 23 places.” （Jia Yuxing,1997:46） Yang xiaoli once analyzed the Chinese phases and gets a conclusion that more than one hundred and sixty Chinese phrases are used to represent the context of body language and they can convey emotion and intention separately. “The psychologist, David Abercrombie also points out “We say with our phonetic organs, but we talk with the whole body.”（Jia Yuxing,1997:59）Body language is nonverbal action that delivers information through posture, action including body movement and facial expressions. The context of body language is very comprehensive. It includes eye contact, posture, gesture, facial expression; etc. In this paper, we will discuss them in details.3. A comparative study of body language between Chinese and English-speaking countriesDifferent nations cultures are formed for a long time. Further, its not easy for people to absorb the signs, because they are familiar with their habits, it is not easy for them to change. So, they cant ignore the influence exerted on body language by cultures, and they must pay attention to the different meanings of body language in different cultures and contexts. Body language is an important part of nonverbal communication. If people dont understand its cultural connotation, they will not interact properly. And sometimes they will make themselves or others embarrassed. A well-known case is a gesture made by Winston Churchill, the doughty prime minister who led Britain through the Second World War. As he appeared before a large crowd, he was greeted with cheers and applause. The occasion was a momentous one and Churchill flashed the “V” for “Victory” signwith the forefinger and middle finger rose to form a “V”, whether by mistake or ignorance, instead of facing the palm of his hand to the front, he made the “V” with the back of his hand towards the audience. Some in the crowd applauded; some gasped; some broke out in laughter. The prime ministers gesture, as given, meant quite something else. Instead of “V” for “Victory”, it meant something dirty; it was an obscene gesture. From this example, people can see that body language plays an important role in communication. Since body language can express certain meaning and it is conventional, it can make the communication less effective. People who live in the same culture believe that some gesture indicates some meaning. However, different countries have different cultures, so the meaning of body language will not be the same in different countries. If people dont realize this, it will affect their communication and cause misunderstanding. In English study, the comparative study of body language between Chinese and English-speaking countries is very important for us to master and understand the variety of cross-cultural communication.3.1 Contrastive study of gesturesGesture is the expressive movement of a part of body, especially the hand and the head. People are normally not aware of it, but they use gestures when they are talking. If they want to understand gestures correctly, they must take the context or situation into account, otherwise gestures can be confusing indeed. For instance, a thumb in the air might mean a request for a ride on the highway or “ok” on the launch pad. To touch the nose can show “dishonesty” in conversation or “failure” in situations such as a game of chess. Compare with verbal language, nonverbal codes are not universal. A lot of gestures are different from culture to culture. Here are some examples:3.1.1 The same gesture with different meanings in different culturesAs the cultures in different countries are different, the same gesture would have different meanings in different countries. Please look at the table1:Table1GesturesMeaningsChinese andEnglish-speaking countries（both: Chinese and English-speaking countries, C: Chinese, E: English-speaking countries）GesturesMeaningsRaising forefinger and middle finger to form a “V”.The figure of twomeans Victory.(both)Making a circle with thumb and index finger while extending others.It meansOk. (both)Hand rose to throat, fingers extended and palm down.It means“Suicide”.(E)Im very full.(C)Moving the index finger in a circle in front of the ear.Think about(C)Think of (C)Thats crazy (E)!He/she is crazy (E)!Thump upHigh praise(both)GoodA(both)Request for ride on the highway.(E)Index finger touches the temple or the forehead.He/she is very foolish.(C)There is something wrong with his/her mind. (both)He/she is very clever/intelligent.(E)Hand extended toward person, palm open and down, with all fingers crooked in a beckoning motion.Come here(C)Goodbye(E)Hand extended toward person, closed hand, palm up, with forefinger only moving back and forth.Offensive(C)Come here(E)Forefinger near lips with the sound “shhh”.Disapproval(both)Hissing“Be silent/quiet” (both)SnapRude, uneducatedQuick, brisk and sharp.(E)A speaker or performer clapping at the same time audience applauds.Appreciation(both) Mutual positive feeling(C)Immodest, applauding oneself.(E)Touching or pointing to tip of ones own nose with raised forefingerIts me(C)Im the one(both)Slightly funny(E)3.1.2 Different gestures with same meaningThough the same gesture would have different meanings in different countries, the different gestures would also have the same meaning. Please look at the table2:Table2Gestures Meanings Chineseand English-speaking countries（both: Chinese and English-speaking countries, C: Chinese, E: English-speaking countries）MeaningsGesturesBadRaising little finger(C)Thumb down(E)I dont know.Shaking the head(both)Waving the hand(C)Shrugging the shoulders(E)Come hereHand extended toward person, palm open and down, with all fingers crooked in a beckoning motion(C)Hand extended toward person, closed hand, palm up, with forefinger only moving back and forth.(E)Shame on you! (semi-joking gesture)Forefinger of one hand extended, tip touches ones face several times quickly, similar to scratching, but with the forefinger straight(C)Forefinger of each hand extended, palms down in front of ones body, one forefinger makes several brushing movements over the back of the other forefinger.(E)Punish oneselfGiving oneself boxes on the face(C)Giving oneself boxes on the ear.(E)Welcome, congratulationApplauding and snapping ones fingers.(E)Applauding and clapping hands(both)Im very full.After a meal,one or both hands open, lightly patting ones own stomach(both)Hand raised to throat, fingers extended, palm down.(E)High praise, the bestThumb up(both)Closed hand, forefinger up(E)“No, dont do that”Moving the head from side to side. (both)Moving the index finger from side to side. (both)“Thats crazy!”“He/she is crazy!”Moving the index finger from side to side(E)Moving the index finger in a circle in front of the ear. (both)3.1.3 Gesture and meaning in one culture without equal in other culturesThere are also many gestures only existing in one culture without equal in other cultures. For example, the American “No, dont do that” gesture, moving the index finger from side to side with forefinger up and others closed, it is not used in China. To express doubt, helplessness or baffle, people who live in English-speaking countries often shrug their shoulders. However, this gesture is seldom used in China. In English culture, the gesture, thumb against the tip of the nose, other four fingers wave from side to side together, indicates challenge and defiance; putting middle finger on the back of forefinger indicates “bless success”, which has a relevant phrasecross ones fingers. And people are very familiar with another phrase that is “thumb a ride” (standing on the side of the rode, closing hand with thumb up) which means a request for ride. Now, as the Western media cultures such as Western films come to China, such kinds of gestures have been used by more and more Chinese young people. There are also many gestures only existing in China. In Chinese culture, to express respect, people must take something that can be hold with one hand to their guests or others with two hands. And when others pour tea or wine for them, they must hold the cup with both hands to express “Thank you” or tap the tabletop with forefinger to indicate “Its enough”. Touching or pointing to tip of ones own nose with raised forefinger means “Its me.” “Im the one.” Upraised forefinger of each hand coming together in front of the body until the two touches, means a good match. These gestures are unique to China. From above examples, people can come to a conclusion: if they want to learn a language well, they must not only learn the verbal language, but also study the gestures of that country.3.2 Contrastive study of posture Postur