Abstract

Since the human society has created language, it plays a crucial role as a means of communication, but not the only means of it. Body language also plays a significant role to help people exchange information, which is the one of the most useful ways to break down the language barriers of cross-cultural communication. With the development of international economy and cross-cultural communication, it seems that cultural communication obstacles have been becoming more and more severe. Nevertheless, even if we understand the meanings of some conventional body language, it is still difficult for us to master it thoroughly. Because different languages have great differences in different cultural backgrounds and have different social functions. If we use the body language incorrectly, we would probably be caught in a dilemma in international communication, which would even cause conflicts. This article mainly discusses the comparison and flagrant contrast of different body languages in various cultures in terms of gestures, postures, facial expressions, eye contact and physical distance. It aims to illuminate the differences and similarities of body language and concludes some principles of reducing cultural barriers in order to make people avoid misunderstandings.

Keywords: international communication; body language; cultural difference

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-1

3. General description of Body Language-2

3.1 Conception-3

3.2 Characteristics-3

3.3 Categories-4

4. Differences of English and Chinese Body Language-4

4.1 Gestures-5

4.2 Postures-5

4.3 Facial expressions-6

4.4 Eye contact-7

4.5 Physical distance-7

5. Reasons for the Differences of English and Chinese Body Language-8

5.1 Religious beliefs-8

5.2 Values and ways of thinking-9

5.3 Morals and social regulations-9

6. Principles of Reducing Barriers in Cross-Cultural Communication-10

6.1 Trying to learn body language purposefully-10

6.2 Trying to participate in more cross-cultural communication-11

6.3 Sustaining different cultural toleration-11

7. Conclusion-11

Works Cited-13