Body language refers to various forms of
The Differences of Body Language Between Eastern and Western
Cultures
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Body language refers to various forms of non-verbal communication, wherein a person may reveal clues as to some unspoken intention or feeling through their physical behaviour. These behaviors can include body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Although body language is non-verbal or non-spoken, it can reveal much about your feelings and meaning to others and how others reveal their feelings toward you.It is well-known that body language exists in both western countries represented by America and Europe and eastern countries represented by China.However,body languages possess different meanings in different cultures on account of regional differences ,historical differences ,cultural diversity and social differences.Body language is significant to communication and relationships.It is conducive for our advanced study in English if we acquire more knowledge of body language in eastern and western countries .So,though it is essential to attach much importance to grammar and vocabulary during the course of English learning ,as a special language, body language is very significant as well.
Generally speaking,body language can be classified into three categories:facial expression language,gesture language and posture language.
A facial expression is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face. These movements convey the emotional state of an individual to observers.When Americans talk with someone else ,they tend to look into the other side’s eyes because they view it as a sign of integrity and honest.American people have an old proverb:never trust a person who cannot look you in the eyes,which interprets perfectly the importance of eye contact to Americans .I n my opinion,that’s a yield of a society with freedom and equality.nevertheless ,traditional Chinese people are not used to the directly eye contact with the person they are talking to,especially between strangers.They often deliberately avoid continued eye contact to show their humility,obedience,respect and so on.This may be a result of a long history of centralized feudal monarchy in China and Chinese traditional ethical and moral concepts which are rooted deeply in Chinese peop le’s minds.However ,though Americans are customed to making eye contacts with people they are talking to,they hate being stared at.They regard this behavior as rudeness and offence,as if they are animals rather than human displayed in the zoo,which make them feel uneasy and furious.But it is very common in China to stare at someone you are curious about or surprised at.In term of cultural differences,it reflects that Americans attach much importance to individual privacy and Chinese are not so aware of the sense of privacy.
A gesture language is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal
communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech. Gestures include movement of the hands,face,or other parts of the body.the implication of gestures is diversified in different cultures. Here are some examples of different gestures and their implications.(1)Chinese people stretch out index finger to express 1 and stretch out index and middle fingers to express 2.American stretch out thumb to express 1and thumb and index finger to express 2 .(2)American people use thumb and index finger forming a circle to mean ‘OK’.However ,in China this gesture stand for zero.(3)If you give someone a thumb-up in China,you give him a praise.however,in Britain or Austria ,the thumb-up gesture means that you ask for a lift.(4)Chinese use the index finger scratch face to mean a shame.American people express this meaning by using right ha n d’s index finger to whittle on his left index finger in front of the ridicule object.
A posture is the position in which you hold your body when standing or sitting.In humans, posture can provide a significant amount of important information on non-verbal communication and emotional cues.In intercultural communication, the presentation of posture also reflects the differences between eastern and western countries.W estern people value individual privacy very much,so they don’t like staying a close distance with others when they are talking or do something else.While Chinese people don’t pay much attention to individual privacy,they suppose it is friendly to keep a close distance with others. Americans stand stomping to show their impatience while Chinese to show their anger frustration and regret.Westerns embrace people to show their friendliness and greetings.However,it would be an embarrassment if you embrace others in China,especially between the opposite sex.
Body language is an important way of communication as well as connecting bond,which is embodied in human beings’ cultural environment,living habit and the way of thinking.In term of intercultural communication,body language presents the differences between the eastern and western cultures.We ought to pay more attention to the learning of body language and apprehend their different meanings in different cultures.It will contribute to our English learning.