2024年4月26日发(作者：)

Chapter Ⅰ Introduction

Spoken language is only 7% to 35% of communication according to McGraw

Hill. The majority of our feelings and intentions are sent through nonverbal

communication. Moreover people tend to search for signals when verbal

messages are unclear or ambiguous. Wordless messages or kinesics are the way

people communicate by sending and receiving signals, using body language,

gestures, postures, proximity, haptics, and facial expressions. Some signals are

consistent across cultures. To a certain degree body these are good news; if one

person does not speak foreign language, he can still communicate with people of

another country by using body language and facial expressions. However, even if

one person does speak the local language and is able to communicate with the

local people, he might still be puzzled by the use of body language and facial

expressions at his destination country. Why? Because nonverbal communication

has also cultural meanings and is being interpreted according to the cultural

context it occurs. Cultural norms regarding kinesics vary considerably between

countries; if he is not familiar with the local body language he might be

misunderstood, and sometimes misinterpret the local nonverbal signals. This can

certainly lead to embarrassing and uncomfortable situations Understanding body

language of the destination country and interpreting body language correctly will

not only assist people to avoid unpleasant situation also will grant people respect

from the locals.

Key Word: Body Language; Culture; Communication

Chapter Ⅱ The necessity and importance of body language

Most people can not live without each other, because everyone is social being.

As soon as people are in contact with others people are communicating. For this

people can make use of spoken and written language. In these ways they make the

content of a message clear to each other. However people can also communicate

without words though body language. This kind of communication tells people

something about the relationship between people. Often body language is more

important than getting the content of the message across. The communication

about this non-spoken communication, which tells you something about the

relationship between people, is called Meta-Communication. Usually body

language occurs unconsciously. Yet the body language people use according to a

large extent of our communication. People can learn to use their body language

for a purpose. It is important to note that body language has different meanings in

different cultures. How people can interpret body language depends on the

situation, the culture, the relationship they have with the person as well as the

gender of the other. This means that there is not one signal that has the same

meaning all over the world. Body language is also interlinked with spoken

language and a whole pattern of behaviour from a person. As well as that, various

body language signs can complement each other to make a particular meaning

crystal clear or strengthen the meaning of what we communicate. In almost any

Japanese film, it is obvious that people bow when they meet. If these men are fully

"Americanized," they might shake hands instead: People from different cultures

use different body languages or gestures, postures, facial expressions, and eye

contact-to communicate nonverbally. Understanding body languages of other

cultures can prevent a great deal of misunderstanding.

Body language communicates as effectively as words, or even more effectively.

Everyone uses gestures daily, almost instinctively, from beckoning to a waiter, or

punctuating visual signals to airport ground attendants to guide an airline pilot

into the jet-way or a parent using a whole dictionary of gestures to teach (or

preach to) a child.

Body language is indeed inextricably in social lives, and the "vocabulary" of

body language can be at once informative entertaining and dangerous. Gestures

can be menacing (two drivers on a freeway), warm (an open-armed welcome),

instructive (a police man giving road directions, or even sensuous (the liquid

movement of a Hawaiian hula dancer).

Bear in mind that some body languages are in general use, but there may

always be exceptions. In recent years, western and contemporary values and ideas

have become more popular and have been either influenced, altered, and even

replaced, but some body languages that are more traditional. Thus understanding

human behavior is a tricky stuff. No two people behave in precisely the same way.

Nor do people from the same culture all perform exactly the same gestures and

body languages uniformly. For almost any gestures there will probably be a

minority within a given nationality who might say, "Well, some might attach that

meaning to it, but to me " and then they will provide a different

interpretation.

Nonverbal communication ranges from facial expression to body language.

Multicultural differences in body language, facial expression, use of space, and

especially, gestures, are enormous and enormously open to misinterpretation.

Learning about body language is useful both in traveling and in international

relations. And in a multicultural society like the United States, it can also be helpful

in daily life.

Chapter Ⅲ. The application of body language

Without body language, the world would be static and colorless. The

movements of people’s arms, hands, eyes, constitute another important way of

communication.

3.1.1 The introduction of gestures

Different cultures have different gestures. When people communicate with

others who come from different cultures, they must know about their cultures.

The gesture of ok has different meanings in different region. In Europe and

North America it means ok, but in Mediterranean region, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey

it means sexual insult, gay man

The gesture of little finger in Mediterranean means Small penis, in Bali it

means bad, in Japan little finger means woman, in South America it means thin, in

France little finger means you can't fool me! The gesture of index finger and little

finger in Mediterranean means your wife is being unfaithful, in Malta and Italy it

means protection against the Evil Eye (when pointed), in South America the

gesture means protection against bad luck (when rotated).The gesture of thumb in

Europe means one; in Australia it means sit on this! (Upward jerk); in Widespread

the gesture of thumb means hitchhike; good; OK; in Greece: Up yours! (Thrust

forward) ; in Japan it means Man, five. The gesture of thumb and little finger in

Hawaii means 'Hang loose'; in Holland it means do you want a drink? The gesture

of thumb, index finger and little finger in USA and China means I love you. The

gesture of five fingers in the West means Ten, I surrender; in Greece it means Up

Yours -- twice! In Widespread: I'm telling the truth

3.1.2. The introduction of shaking hands

While Orientals saluted each other with a polite bow, Westerners shook their

hands and displayed their palms to appear honest and demonstrate no weapons

were being concealed, i.e, there was no hidden intentions, in ancient Rome

however, they didn’t shake hands but rather grabbed each others forearms as it

was common for them to carry daggers concealed around their wrists area.

3.1.2.1. Different types of hand shakes

3.1.2.1.1. Hand hug: The hand hug is popular with politicians. It’s when they

choose to wrap your handshake with their left hand creating this warm cocoon

protecting your hand. When done to the right person, they are perceived as being

warm, friendly, trustworthy and honest. Sometimes it is reciprocated creating this

pile of 4 hands, but this type of handshake is only done with people who share

close bonds, as similar to hugs. It’s seen as an invasion of intimacy when done by

people who’ve just met. On that same note, people will also see some one use

their left hand to grasp the other persons forearm, elbow, bicep and even shoulder

while shaking hands. We stretch out our arms to shake hands to keep people out

of our personal space and protect our body…the higher up the arm the other

person is seen putting their left hand, the closer the bond those two people share

(or at least the person doing the double hander handshake believes they do or

wants to portray it, which is like in some politicians cases).

3.1.2.1.2. Dominator: When people displays their palm downwards, it shows a

sign of authority or superiority, every now and again people notice someone who

likes to shake hands while his hand is on top and his palm is facing the ground.

It’s useful to know about this handshake as it may come in handy in certain

situations like let their boss feel powerful by ‘submitting’ to his dominance or if

one person apologize about something, let them have their palm on top will make

them feel in control of the situation.

3.1.2.1.3. Cold and clammy: Some people might be experienced this one

before…it’s one of those handshakes where the person has a cold sweaty hand,

sometimes it is associated with weak characters or lack of energy used by passive

or apathetic people. Though more commonly, it can be found in nervous people

whose blood flows away from the cells below the palm (dermis) and is diverted to

the arm and leg muscles as their ancestors needed the extra blood, they need to

fight their enemies or run away from nervous or dangerous.

3.1.2.1.4. Crusher: The overly aggressive personality types favorite because

they think it displays confidence and power, this is the handshake that makes your

knuckles grind each other when shaking, and leaves your hand in numbing pain

afterwards that you dread the moment you have to shake their hand goodbye

again. Depending on the pressure, it is also used with less strength by individuals

with a desire to dominate occasionally out of weakness or fear they will be

dominated by others if they don’t do it first.

3.1.2.1.5. Queens fingertips: This is quite common in male-female

encounters, as women need more personal space than men. They will stretch out

their hand (sometimes in an awkward position) from a distance, allowing the other

person to barely grasp the two or three fingers without a good grip of the hand. It

is also used by individuals, who feel superior to the other person, such as the

Queen, stretching out their hands with their palms downwards (sign of

authority/superiority) and only allowing a hold of the fingers.

3.1.2.1.6. Keep back: Another type of handshake used by the aggressive

types, the main purpose of this one is to keep you at a distant and away from their

personal space as they might feel threatened. They will lean forward or balance on

one foot to achieve needed distance. It can also be common to find this type of

handshake in people who are raised in country/rural areas as the personal space

for people in such areas is much larger than the personal space needed for

individuals raised in the crowded cities.

and pull: This one is considered a power play. It’s when a

person decides to grab another person’s arm and pull him in close towards them

and inside their territory/personal space. There are three possible reasons for this:

Firstly, the person is insecure and needs you to be in their own territory in order to

feel comfortable and safe. Secondly they come from a culture/city that requires

smaller space needs. Finally, they want to take control and get his off

balance…literally. In any of these cases , they should be considered manipulative

because they want things done in a certain way.

3.1.3. The introduction of greeting

There are many possible components of greeting as the styles vary

significantly across social groups and cultures. Greeting is a ritual that helps break

the ice and paves the way for appropriate other interaction.

3.1.3.1. Nonverbal communication in Japan

Bowing is a customary nonverbal communication in Japan - Bowing during an

introduction shows status. Business inferiors must bow lower than superiors.

Walking habits - The Japanese walk in short quick strides and drooping shoulders.

This low posture is called teishisei. Eye Contact - eye contact shows that you are

being aggressive, and rude. It is normal in Japan to avoid eye contact as it shows

respect. Pointing with the index finger is considered rude. When entering a private

home or traditional restaurants, it is usually customary to remove your shoes and

place them with the toes pointing toward the outdoors. Frowning while someone

is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. Most Japanese maintain

impassive expression when speaking. Japanese find it hard to say 'no'. The best

solution is to phrase questions so that they can answer yes. For example, do you

disagree with this?

3.1.3.2. Nonverbal communication in China

Chinese people don't like being touched by strangers. And hate people who

use index fingers to beckon them. Chinese don’t point with the index finger but

with an open hand. Chinese people use both hands when offering something to a

visitor or another person is considered being respectful. When walking in public

places, direct eye contact and staring is uncommon for Chinese people. During

conversations, Chinese people are especially careful about interrupting - Listening

is a sign of politeness and of contemplation. Chinese tend to smile easily when

they feel difficulty or embarrassment. Smile because of embarrassment by a

Chinese might be interpreted as being friendly by a westerner, but really they are

embarrassed.

3.1.3.3. Nonverbal communication in the U.S.A

In America greetings are casual and quite informal - A handshake, a smile, and

'hello'. Stand while being introduced. Only the elderly, the ill and physically unable

persons remain seated while greeting or being introduced. Handshakes are usually

brief. Light handshakes are considered distasteful. Use a firm grip. Eye contact is

important when shaking someone’s hand. Keep distance when conversing.

Americans are generally uncomfortable with same-sex touching, especially

between males. Americans smile a great deal, even at strangers. They like to have

their smiles returned. Men and women will sit with legs crossed at the ankles or

knees, or one ankle crossed on the knee. It is considered rude to stare, ask

questions or otherwise bring attention to someone's disability. Arrive on time for

meetings since time and punctuality are so important to Americans.

3.2 Facial Expression

The face has around 90 muscles in it, with about 30 of these purely for

expressing emotion. It can thus be used to send many non-verbal signals, using its

various features in concert.

3.2.1 Face

When people are happy, their crow’s feet wrinkles, cheeks pushed up. The

muscle in their face orbits the eye. When people feel sad, their eyelids droop upper,

their eyes lose focus, and their lip corners slightly pulling down. When people are

angry, their eyebrows are down and stick together. Their eyes are glaring. When

people feel fear, their eyebrows raised and pulled together. Their upper eyelids

raised, lower eyelids tensed lower. Their lips slightly stretched horizontally back to

ears. When people are surprised, their eyebrows raised, eyes widened, and

opening their mouth. When people show their contempt, their lip corner

tightened and raised on only one side of face. When people show their disgust,

their nose are wrinkling, their upper lip rose. When people feel shame, their eyes

and head turned down, eyebrows held low, and skin blushing red. When people

feel boredom, their eyes are looking away, face generally immobile, their corners

of mouth turned down or lips pulled to the side, and their head propped up with

hand.

3.2.2 Eye Contact

The eyes are often called, with some justification, 'the windows of the soul' as

they can send many different non-verbal signals. For reading body language this is

quite useful as looking at people's eyes are a normal part of communication (whilst

gazing at other parts of the body can be seen as rather rude).

3.2.2.1. Looking up

When a person looks upwards they are often thinking. In particular they are

probably making pictures in their head and thus may well be an indicator of a

visual they are delivering a speech or presentation, looking up may

be the recalling of their prepared words.

Looking upwards and to the left can indicate recalling a memory. Looking

upwards and the right can indicate imaginative construction of a picture (which

can hence betray a liar). Be careful with this: sometimes the directions are reversed

-- if in doubt, test the person by asking them to recall known facts or imagine

something. Looking up may also be a signal of boredom as the person examines

the surroundings in search of something more interesting. Head lowered and eyes

looking back up at the other person is a coy and suggestive action as it combines

the head down of submission with eye contact of attraction. It can also be

judgmental, especially when combined with a frown.

3.2.2.2. Looking down

Looking at a person can be an act of power and domination. Looking down

involves not looking at the other person, which hence may be a sign of submission

('I am not a threat, really; please do not hurt me. You are so glorious I would be

dazzled if I looked at you.')Looking down can thus be a signal of submission. It can

also indicate that the person is feeling guilty.A notable way that a lower person

looks down at a higher person is by tilting their head back. Even taller people may

do this. Looking down and to the left can indicate that they are talking to

themselves (look for slight movement of the lips). Looking down and to the right

can indicate that they are attending to internal emotions. In many cultures where

eye contact is a rude or dominant signal, people will look down when talking with

others in order to show respect.

3.2.2.3. Looking sideways

Much of our field of vision is in the horizontal plane, so when a person looks

sideways, they are either looking away from what is in front of them or looking

towards something that has taken their interest. A quick glance sideways can just

be checking the source of a distraction to assess for threat or interest. It can also

be done to show irritation ('I didn't appreciate that comment!'). Looking to the left

can indicate a person recalling a sound. Looking to the right can indicate that they

are imagining the sound. As with visual and other movements, this can be reversed

and may need checking against known truth and fabrication.

Lateral movement

Eyes moving from side-to-side can indicate shiftiness and lying, as if the

person is looking for an escape route in case they are found out. Lateral movement

can also happen when the person is being conspiratorial, as if they are checking

that nobody else is may also move back and forth sideways (and

sometimes up and down) when the person is visualizing a big picture and is

literally looking it over.

3.2.2.4. Gazing

Looking at something shows an interest in it, whether it is a painting, a table or

a person. When you look at something, others who look at your eyes will feel

compelled to follow your gaze to see what you are looking at. This is a remarkable

skill as we are able to follow a gaze very accurately. When looking at a person

normally, the gaze is usually at eye level or above (see eye contact, below). The

gaze can also be a defocused looking at the general person. Looking at a person's

mouth can indicate that you would like to kiss them. Looking at sexual regions

indicates a desire to have sexual relations with them.

Looking up and down at a whole person is usually sizing them up, either as a

potential threat or as a sexual partner (notice where the gaze lingers). This can be

quite insulting and hence indicate a position of presumed dominance, as the

person effectively says 'I am more powerful than you, your feelings are

unimportant to me and you will submit to my gaze'. Looking at their forehead or

not at them indicates disinterest. This may also be shown by defocused eyes where

the person is 'inside their head' thinking about other things.

It is difficult to conceal a gaze as we are particularly adept at identifying

exactly where other people are looking. This is one reason why we have larger eye

whites than animals, as it aids complex communication. The acceptable duration of

a gaze varies with culture and sometimes even a slight glance is unacceptable,

such as between genders or by a lower status person.

3.2.2.5. Glancing

Glancing at something can betray a desire for that thing. For example glancing

at the door can indicate a desire to leave. Glancing at a person can indicate a

desire to talk with them. It can also indicate a concern for that person's feeling

when something is said that might upset them. Glancing may indicate a desire to

gaze at something or someone where it is forbidden to look for a prolonged

period.

3.2.2.6. Making eye contact

Looking at a person acknowledges them and shows that you are interested in

them, particularly if you look in their eyes. Looking at a person's eyes also lets you

know where they are looking. We are amazingly good at detecting what they are

looking at and can detect even a brief glance at parts of our body. For example, if a

person says something when you are looking away and then you make eye contact,

then this indicates they have grabbed your attention.

3.2.2.7. Breaking eye contact

Prolonged eye contact can be threatening, so in conversation we frequently

look away and back again. Breaking eye contact can indicate that something that

has just been said that makes the person not want to sustain eye contact, for

example that they are insulted, they have been found out, they feel threatened, etc.

This can also happen when the person thinks something that causes the same

internal discomfort. Of course, a break in eye contact can also be caused by

something as simple as dried out contacts or any new stimulus in one's immediate

area, so it's important to watch for other signals. Looking at a person, breaking eye

contact and then looking immediately back at them is a classic flirting action,

particularly with the head held coyly low in suggested submission.

3.2.2.8. Long eye contact

Eye contact longer than normal can have several different meanings. Eye

contact often increases significantly when we are listening, and especially when we

are paying close attention to what the other person is saying. Less eye contact is

used when talking, particularly by people who are visual thinkers as they stare into

the distance or upwards as they 'see' what they are talking about. We also look

more at people we like and like people who look at us more. When done with doe

eyes and smiles, it is a sign of attraction. Lovers will stare into each others eyes for

a long period. Attraction is also indicated by looking back and forth between the

two eyes, as if we are desperately trying to determine if they are interested in us

too. An attraction signal that is more commonly used by women is to hold the

other person's gaze for about three seconds. Then look down for a second or two

and then look back up again (to see if they have taken the bait). If the other person

is still looking at them, they are rewarded with a coy smile or a slight widening of

the eyes ('Yes, this message is for you!').When done without blinking, contracted

pupils and an immobile face, this can indicate domination, aggression and use of

power. In such circumstances a staring competition can ensue, with the first person

look away, admitting defeat. Prolonged eye contact can be disconcerting. A trick

to reduce stress from this is to look at the bridge of their nose. They will think you

are still looking in their eyes. Sometimes liars, knowing that low eye contact is a

sign of lying, will over-compensate and look at you for a longer than usual period.

Often this is done without blinking as they force themselves into this act. They may

smile with the mouth, but not with the eyes as this is more difficult.

3.2.2.9 Staring

Staring is generally done with eyes wider than usual, prolonged attention to

something and with reduced blinking. It generally indicates particular interest in

something or someone. Staring at a person can indicate shock and disbelief,

particularly after hearing unexpected news. When the eyes are defocused, the

person's attention may be inside their head and what they are staring at may be of

no significance. (Without care, this can become quite embarrassing for

them).Prolonged eye contact can be aggressive, affectionate or deceptive. Staring

at another's eyes is usually more associated with aggressive action. A short stare,

with eyes wide open and then back to normal indicates surprise. The correction

back to normal implies that the person would like to stare more, but knows it is

impolite (this may be accompanied with some apologetic text). When a person

stares at another, the second person may be embarrassed and look away. If they

decide to stare back, then the people 'lock eyes' and this may become a

competition with the loser being the person who looks away first. The length of

an acceptable stare varies across cultures, as does who is allowed to stare, and at

what. Babies and young children stare more, until they have learned the cultural

rules.

ChapterⅣ. Conclusion

Culture is all-persuasive, multidimensional, and boundless; it is everywhere

and in everything. The same is also true of body language on nonverbal

communication. One can make hundreds of movements with his bodies: where

and how he touches people, his gaze and eye contact, and his use of space are just

some of the behaviors in which he engage that serve as messages. All human

beings perform actions to which other people attach meaning, but these

meanings are culturally based. And it is also found that all these differences in

body language among countries are cultivated over many years by an intricately

constructed mixture of cultural, historical and racial differences. To understand

such differences is essential in one’s attempt to understand another society.

Therefore, when communicating in a certain language, you’d better use the body

language that goes with that particular language, which can save you from anxiety

and ethnocentrism, and make the intercultural communication easier and better.

Understanding nonverbal communication improves with practice. The first step in

practice is to recognize the power of nonverbal communication. Along with your

life experiences, training, beliefs and all that make up your past, it’s your inner

expert on nonverbal communication.

Abstract

“Body language” is a kind of nonverbal communication with the richest

meanings and great function. Like verbal language, it is also a part of culture. But

not all body languages mean the same thing in different cultures. Different people

have different ways of making nonverbal communication. For example: different

people have different ideas about the proper distance between people conversing;

the appropriateness of physical contact varies with different cultures. One could

draw up quite a list of “rules” about eye contact: to look or not to look; when to

look and how long to look; who and who not to look at. Facial expressions also

vary among individuals and cultures; gestures can be particularly troublesome, for

a slight difference in making the gesture itself can mean something quite different

from that intended, and, a wrong interpretation of a gesture can arouse quite

unexpected reactions and so on. So in order to communicate effectively in a

foreign language, one should also know the gestures, body movements and

mannerisms etc. that accompany a particular language. Some authorities feel that

the two are dependent on each other. This is certainly true in most situations. But it

is also true that in certain situations body action contradicts what is being said, just

as the spoken words may mean something quite different from what body

language communicates. When this occurs, one must try to get further

information, or guess the meaning from the context of the situation. In a sense, all

body language should be interpreted; within a given context; to ignore the overall

situation could be misleading. A comparative study of Chinese and American body

language shows a number of similarities and diversities of body language. It shows

the importance of knowing the specific gestures that go with a language.

Observation shows that a truly bilingual person switches his body language at the

same time he switches languages. In the following, the importance of body

language on nonverbal communication in different cultures and their origins will

be focused in order to lessen conflicts in cross-culture communication and make it

much better and easier.

Key Words： nonverbal communication; body language; different culture;

different ways

摘 要

“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。各民族有不同的非语言交际方式

比研究表明，两者有相似的地方，也有差异的地方，说明了解另一种语言中身势语的

重要性。可见，真正掌握两种语言的人在转变语言的同时也改变了身势语。本文拟通过揭

示身势语在日常交流中的重要性并介绍各种不同的身势语及其文化差异，目的是尽量减少

跨文化交际中的摩擦冲突，使其更加轻松容易。

关键词 非语言交际 ；身势语 ；不同文化 ；不同方式

Acknowledgements