The significance of body language in cross-culture communication英语专业毕业论文.doc

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1、The significance of body language in cross-culture communicationAcknowledgementFirst of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, for her instructive advice and useful suggestions on my thesis. Without her encouragement and guidance, this thesis could not have reached its pr

2、esent form.Then I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Professor , who led me into the world of translation and triggers my love for this beautiful language. I am also greatly indebted to the all the professors and teachers who have instructed and helped me a lot in the past two years.Fin

3、ally my thanks would go to my beloved mother who has always been taking care of me and supporting me without a word of complaint.BAbstractLanguage is the principal way of communication in our social lives. People can communicate with one another not only through verbal communication but also through

4、 nonverbal communication, in which body language plays a very important role. Therefore his paper intends to present different types of body language in order to make our communication free and smooth. However, sometimes we feel confused due to the misunderstanding of it. It is different cultures th

5、at influence body language. Thus in this paper the relationship between culture and body language is also dealt with and how different cultures affect body language is elaborated on, so that we can improve our communication skills and abilities by understanding it well.Key Words: body language；nonve

6、rbal communication；culture ContentsAcknowledgementAAbstractBIntroduction1Chapter One On the TermBody Language21.1 Concept of Body Language21.2 General Characteristics of Body Language21.2.1 Accessorial21.2.2 Habitual21.2.3 Actual31.2.4 Diverse3Chapter Two Types of Body Language42.1 Distance between

7、People Conversing42.2 Facial Expression42.3 Eye Contact52.4 Physical Contact52.4.1 Handshake62.4.2 Hug and Kiss62.5 Gesture6Chapter Three The Relationship between Body Language and Culture83.1 Cultural Influence on Body Language83.2 Different Body Languages in Different Cultures9Conclusion12Bibliogr

8、aphy13 IntroductionPeople communicate through a variety of channels. Successful communication in intercultural requires the understanding of both verbal messages and nonverbal messages. Although we may not aware of it, when we talk with others, we make ourselves understood not only by words but also

9、 the message which we send to the people around us, our facial expressions, body movements and so on. Nonverbal communication is about all the things that people say and do without saying any words. In fact, sometimes words are the smallest part of communication. Research suggests that more than 70%

10、 of communication occurs without any verbal communication at all. Without verbal communication people may still be communicating. Sometimes they may not want to say, but their body language has already shown their real wish.As a matter of fact, people often use body language in their daily life. We

11、communicate with others nonverbally, just like with words. Few people use body language consciously, but most of them even do not realize. People wave hands with open palm when saying “goodbye”, smile when they feel happy and so on. These actions are instinctive and incidental. But researchers have

12、discovered that these actions are not as easy as we think and they can really help us a lot though we use it unconsciously. There is a system in them almost as consistent and comprehensible as language, and it contains a whole range of body language, including the distance between people conversing,

13、 facial expression, eye contact, physical contact, gesture and so on.The way people communicate nonverbally varies from country to country because of their different cultures. Therefore, it can be very difficult to define the meaning of the same body language. Usually body language occurs unconsciou

14、sly. It is helpful for us to become conscious of others body language so that we can pick up much information. It is important to notice that body language has different meanings in different cultures. Culture is one of the most vital things for us to interpret body language, and the situation or co

15、ntexts, the relationship we have with the person are important, too. Body language is also related to verbal language and they depend on each other. Its signs can help us to express ourselves clearly and vividly and can also reinforce and support what we have said.Body language is indispensable to n

16、onverbal communication, and this thesis is to present its meaning and analyze it briefly.Chapter One On the TermBody Language1.1 Concept of Body LanguageWhen people talk with others, they make themselves understood not only through words. Whether they realize it or not, they send messages to others

17、also with facial expressions, eye contact and body movements. We call it “body language”, which is a kind of communication, nonverbal communication. Body language is a kind of nonverbal behavior which can transmit information through gestures, actions and facial expressions. People communicate with

18、each other by their body language in the ways of nodding, eye contacting, shrugging, waving, and stamping and so on. According to the research results of psychologists, these ways can strengthen and complement verbal language. Scholars have different opinions about the concept of body language, but

19、most of them agree that body language is a broad term for several forms of communication. 1.2 General Characteristics of Body Language1.2.1 AccessorialThere is no doubt that nobody can express himself all by body language except deaf-mute. Body language can support and strengthen verbal communicatio

20、n. In other words, body language hardly operates just by itself. However, body language is not footy and can not be replaced.Body language serves various functions. Firstly, it can replace verbal communication for we can send the message to others although we never say a single word. The use of gest

21、ure is a good case in point. Secondly, it can modify verbal communication. When we communicate with others, body language can help us to express ourselves concretely and vividly. Thirdly, it can convey our emotions. Finally, it conveys our attitude towards ourselves and towards the people we are com

22、municating with. This is very important for successful cross-cultural communication (Qiu Lifang, 2004).1.2.2 HabitualBody language is a product of both genetic and environmental influences. Blind children will smile and laugh even though they have never seen a smile. It is easy to understand that bo

23、dy language is habitual. People do not need to prepare for it at all. When people talk with others, they have to prepare for the verbal language, not their gesture or smile. Take several types of body language for example. People usually frown when discontented, yawn when fatigued, and smile when ha

24、ppy, cry when sad, blush when ashamed, and bite teeth when angry.1.2.3 ActualLanguage is the reflection of society, and it is very complex. In the long period of social competition, language has become more and more beguiling and covert. While body language, the reflection of ones consciousness, whi

25、ch is truer than verbal language.Ones own body is the best instrument for others to find out what is going on with him; there must be a reflection of his consciousness. This information is very useful and helpful to him and others. The best thing is that the person can express himself well with his

26、body language and can feel what is going on with his body. But even if the person doesnt, the others also will be able to get much information.A persons external body language can send a lot of information to us. By observing ones posture, eye movements, gesture and other body language, we can gain

27、information about what is in his mind and what he really wants to express, though the person may not show it in his verbal language. Thats a vital part in the communication.1.2.4 DiverseSometimes the same body language can express different meanings, and also the same meaning can be shown by differe

28、nt body languages. The discrepancy of body language is because of the different cultures. Various peoples form unique body languages due to the language backgrounds of their lives. The gesture of Britain and American is totally different when they sit with their legs crossed. In China, when people m

29、eet each other, they dont kiss or hug except lovers. And in Turkey, the gesture of putting ones hand in pocket is a sign of disrespect. In some Asian countries，you must not touch the head of another person. For an Arabian man, it is a good manner to stand close to his friend when they are talking, b

30、ut for English people, they dont like to stand too closed. And in parts of Asia, you must not sit with your foot pointing at another person, which can be considered impolite.13Chapter Two Types of Body Language2.1 Distance between People ConversingIn the communication, distance plays a very importan

31、t role, it can not only tell us the relationship and psychology of the communicators, but also reflects their different cultural characteristics. Psychologists found that people need to have a personal space around him, which is diverse because of the different cultural backgrounds, different person

32、al characteristics, and different environments. When people in different countries talk with each other, they usually have different opinions about the distance. According to the research of American psychologist Edward T. Hall, there are four kinds of distance in American and European countries. Th

33、ey are intimate distance, personal distance, social distance and public distance which are used in different situations. Intimate distance is about 0 to 45 centimeters, which is used for peoples most private relations and activities, between lovers, for instance. Personal distance is about 45 to 120

34、 centimeters and is suitable for friends, acquaintances and relatives. Social distance is about 120 to 360 centimeters which is common for people who work together or people doing business, as well as most of those in conversation at social gatherings. Public distance is farther than any of the abov

35、e and is about 360 to 750 centimeters, generally for informal get-together. From the examples above we can see that people keep different distances because of different personal relations and cultures. In English-speaking countries, people do not like to be close to each other in the communication,

36、and they always keep a certain distance. On the contrary, the Arabian men and Spanish would like to stand close to the person who they talk with. In fact, they just want to find a proper and convenient place and distance for themselves. Western culture focuses on the individual intimacy, but eastern

37、 culture does not pay much attention to it (Bi Jiwan, 2001).The important thing to keep in mind is that most English-speaking people do not like people to be too close. Being too far apart, of course, may also make people awkward, but being too close makes people uncomfortable, unless there is a rea

38、son, such as showing affection or encouraging intimacy. But that is another matter. (Deng and Liu, 1989: 128-129) We need to know this information well so that we can keep a proper distance when talking with others. It really does well to the quality of our communication. 2.2 Facial ExpressionDiffer

39、ent facial expression such as smiles, frowns, winking and yawns can have enormously different consequences. Facial Expression is a common and direct way to express ones emotion. Peoples mood and attitude can be distinguished by facial expressions in comparison with other body languages. We can imagi

40、ne the miserable life of Jewish people in the Second World War, according to the Nazis malicious and cruel facial expression. We can also feel the happiness and excitement of Chinese people since the reform of China just from their big smile. Facial expressions also can be different due to the diffe

41、rent cultures. It is reasonable for Chinese people to welcome their friends with a big smile. On the contrary, American Indians will burst into tears in the same situation. Facial expression is a common but very useful body language, and wed better apply it properly to achieve effective communicatio

42、n with others.2.3 Eye ContactIt is necessary to keep a certain eye contact with others in the communication. Eyes are the most effective way to show ones real wish in mind, which is called “the windows of the soul”. We can feel the emotion from peoples eyes, such as guilt, excitement, fear, indiffer

43、ence and so on. All the changes of ones attitude, mood and emotion can be found out from ones eyes. We can not ignore the function of eye contact in our communication. However, how long we should keep our eye contact is hard to say. It depends on the different cultures. When two Arabian men talk wit

44、h each other face to face, they always stare at each other for a long time, because they consider that eye is the key of ones own. In America, this kind of eye contact is not used between two men, or they will be considered as homosexual. In fact, holding a glance too long is considered improper in

45、most English-speaking countries, which may make people uneasy and embarrassed. But French like to stare at others. In their opinion, this kind of eye contact means that though I am not familiar with you, I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. Japanese always look at others neck but not their

46、eyes in the communication; because eye to eye is impolite in their culture and younger people always do not stare at an older person. If they do so, they must be the first to lower their eyes.2.4 Physical Contact2.4.1 HandshakeToday，in most countries，handshake has become a common friendly ceremony,

47、but the form of which is different. French shake their hands twice when they visit friends. They have handshake with friends when they just enter the room firstly, and the same is true with their department for the second time. In America, the handshake between men is powerful. And Chinese would lik

48、e to say “Hello”when they shake hands with others.2.4.2 Hug and KissDifferent cultural backgrounds have great influence on the etiquette. In most western countries, it is common for two girls to hug and kiss when they meet each other. However, in Asia, handshake is the main way for men to greet and hug and kiss is rare.2.5 GestureOne important area in the study of non-verbal communication is that occupied by the language of gesture. This is mainly a matter of how we use our hands to convey a message. Like verbal language, the language of the hands differs f