On Cultural Differences of Body Language Between English and ChineseWritten by:Supervised by:English DepartmentCollege of Foreign LanguagesAnhui Normal UniversityOctober 2015AbstractBody language is an important part of nonverbal communication is closely connected with culture. In order to make successful exchange in cross-cultural communication, we should know body language from different cultures. B ody 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. Take nodding the head as an example, we know it means “yes” among Chinese and many English-speaking countries. But to some Indians, it means “no”. This article devotes to a comparison and contrast of body language in different cultures in terms of eye language, gestures, postures, facial expressions, touch, and distance. It aims to illustrate the differences of body language between Chinese and English cultures, and to put forward the principles of reducing barriers in communication so as to achieve efficient communication and to avoid misunderstanding.Key Words: intercultural communication, body language, cultural differences, principlesI摘要身势语是非语言交际的重要组成部分,和文化紧密相关。

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。

语言和文化一样,由于地域、种族、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。

例如,点头在中西方都表示赞同的意思。

但是在印度，点头却表示不赞同。

本文致力于从目光语、手势语、身体姿态、面部表情、体触语、体距语等方面对不同文化的身势语进行对，旨在通过列举中西方身势语的文化差异，提出交际中遵循的原则，从而促进有效交流，避免误解。

关键词: 跨文化交际，身势语，文化差异，原则IIContents Abstract (I)摘要 (II)I Introduction (1)II Definition, Functions and Importance of Body language (1)2.1 Definition of b ody language (1)2.2 Importance of body l anguage (1)2.3 Functions of nonverbal c ommunication (2)2.3.1 E xchange ideas (3)2.3.2 Complements and substitutes (3)2.3.3 C onvey sentiment (4)2.3.4 S how people’s psychology and character (4)2.3.5 D enote social relations (4)III Characteristics of Body Languag e (6)3.1 Synonymy (6)3.2 Obscurity (6)3.3 Cultural differences (6)IV Reasons for Different Body Languages Between the West and China (7)4.1 Different traditional cultures (7)4.2 Different ethnic t raits.............................................................. (7)4.3 Different social customs (7)V Use of Body Language in Communication (9)5.1 Different exertions between Chinese and the West (9)5.1.1 Postures (9)5.1.2 Gestures (9)5.1.3 Facial expressions (10)5.1.4 Eye c ontact (10)5.1.5Touch (10)5.1.6 Distance (11)5.2 Counter-measures (11)VI Conclusion (13)Bibliography (14)I IntroductionPeople can communicate with each other through not only verbal communication but also nonverbal communication. Moreover, the latter plays an essential role in human communication. Nonverbal communication is connected with cultures and it is the result of cultures. But many people pay great attention to the acceptance and correctness of the verbal communication and overlook the influence and cultural difference of nonverbal communication. The n the misunderstanding and cultural crash often occur in the cross-cultural communication. So in the process of communication, it is not a complete communication while ignoring the cultural differences of nonverbal comm unication. A famous anthropologist Ethel pointed out “Silent language expresses more information than verbal language. Because it contains much information.” According to some researchers abroad, in people’s daily life, nonverbal communication takes part over 65% in all of information exchange. And body language is an important part of nonverbal communication. Many experts have shown the importance of body language in the cross-cultural communication. “A psychologist proposed a formula: the total impact of message = 7% verbal + 38% vocal +55% facial expressions and behavior.” It is clear without body language we can’t finish our informational exchange. Body language, like verbal language can express emotions, exchange ideas and deliver information. So we must know the cultural differences of body language to achieve efficient communication.II Definition, Functions and Importance of Body language2.1 Definition of Body languageBody language is not a language in the strict sense of the word “language”. “Body language” is expressing how one feels by one’s sitting, standing, moving, etc, rather by words (Oxford Advanced Learners English-Chinese Dictionary, 1997). It is a way that we use the natural features of their bodies to deliver information and express specific meaning instinctively to the other communicator.2. 2 Importance of Body LanguageBody language is important in human interaction .It can be reflected by the countless times in a single day that we send and receive body language messages when in presence of other people .Body language is particularly important to the study of intercultural communication because a great deal of body behavior speaks a universal language whether in Dayton, Madrid, Spain or Guangdong china people tend to have a similar meanings for behaviors such as smiling ,frowning ,laughing ,crying.Barn laud highlights some of the reasons why the form of body language is important to the study of intercultural communication: Many and sometimes most of the critical meanings generated in human encounter are elicited by touch, glance, vocal nuance, gestures or facial expression with or without the aid of words. Consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or unintentionally, we make important judgment and descions, send message concerning the internal states of others_ states, they often express without words. For example ,The first time you move from holding hands with your partner to touching his or her face ,you are sending a message and that message takes on added significance if you touch is returned.Body language is also significant because we use the actions of others to learn their effective or emotional states .If we see someone with a clenched fist and a bowing, we do not need words to tell us that this person is angry: If we hear someone‘s voice quarter and see his or her hands tremble, we know that the person is fearful or anxious. Body language is important because we usually show our body language unconsciously; this means that they are relatively freed from distortions .It difficult to control a clenched jaw when we are angry.There exist a true thing that at beginning , human ancestors rely on all sorts of gestures and postures for mutual coordination and communication then developed into verbal communication .So body language is actually the most primitive instrument of communication, non _verbal communication come into being earlier than verbal communication, it is the organ and base of verbal communication, body language is the earliest communication tool of human. 2006zk09022.3 Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationBody language , is a part of culture and the carrier of a certain culture. The function of bodylanguage in the whole communication can’t be overlooked. “In the daily communication, we can see people can’t communicate efficiently by verbal language alone. And nonverbal communication will express clear meanings in a certain context. And a certain nonverbal communication should be connected with verbal communication or the other nonverbal communication to provide correct information.” So in communicative activities, nonverbal communication also plays a great role. Of course, we should pay close attention to the functions of nonverbal communication. “In any case, when verbal communication conflicts with nonverbal communication, people are willing to accept the information nonverbal communication delivers. Because nonverbal communication sounds more natural, more instinctive and it is hard to pretend.” Obviously, we should make full use of nonverbal communication to achieve efficient communication. Now, we will discuss the functions of nonverbal communication, body language.2.3.1 Exchange ideasTo exchange ideas is the most basic function of body language .In daily verbal communication ,people often use body language to match with the verbal language to express what they are trying to make .speakers consciously or unconsciously use body language to express ideas .For example ,we actually use the word ”stop” that signifies a person to stop and might hold up our hand in the gesture at the same time ,or we might point in a certain direction after we just said “The new library is north of that playground ”.The gestures and words have a similar meaning and reinforce one another .Sometimes body language even can express ideas directly ,especially at the kind of occasion that is inappropriate to speak or somebody doesn’t want to speak .For example ,at the place where is as quite as the reading room ,it is inappropriate for people to talk at that time body language is useful.2.3.2 Complement and substitutesAlthough messages that show can stand alone generally complementing adds more information to massagers . You can accent you anger by speaking in a voice that is much louder than one you use in normal conversation .You can tell someone that you are pleased with his or he performance. But if you pat the person on the shoulder at the same time this messages take on extra meaning. Body language can even substitute the words .If you see a very special friend ,you are apt to enlarge the size of your smile and throw open arms to greet him or her which is a substitute for all the words you want to convey the same feeling I miss” you very much“ .And we can also regulate our communication by using some form of body language .a smile and an outstretched hand show welcome .a frown is a sign of displeasure .Nodding one’s head means agreement _”Yes ”.Waving an。