跨文化交际导论课件 第7章

Components of nonverbal communication




Body language: gestures, postures, eye contact, direction of gaze, nod, head movements, facial expression, general appearance and dress/ clothes, bodily, adornment orientation Spatial language/Proximity: body distance , body touch, personal space, seating, furniture arrangement Temporal language: monochromic time and polychronic time Paralanguage: voice modulation, silence
Mini-case

In class a British professor leaned back in his chair, put his feet up on the desk, and went on with the explanation. The class was furious. Before the end of the day, a demonstration by the University’s full student body had taken place. Petitions were submitted to the deans of the various facilities. They denounced British arrogance and demanded that the professor be sent home. The next day, the situation even made the newspaper headlines. Yet, to the native, the students’ behavior was logical and in context. The students and their supporters were outraged because of the implications of the breach of the native behavioral pattern. In the Middle East, it is extremely insulting to have to sit facing two soles of the shoes of somebody.
the cultural variations in eye contact
Facial Expressions



six basic emotions: surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness, and sadness. Shock, honor, revulsion, fury, ecstasy and grief are strongly felt variants of each of these. Combinations of the six basic emotions give rise to others, such as embarrassment, shame, pride, shyness, boredom, suspicion, and confusion.
Body posture




The Japanese value the ability to sit quietly. People in different countries walk and carry themselves differently. Informal postures of Americans and Australians Squatting posture of Chinese farmers
Australia Estonia France China Ireland India Middle East countries
Touch
Japan United States Canada Scandinavia Other Northern European countries
Latin American countries Italy Greece Spain and Portugal Some Asian Countries Russia
Laughing and Smiling


The Chinese laughing The Japanese smiling
Spatial language / proxemics


Body Distance
Short distance: Latins, Mediterranean Arabs, Mediterranean Europeans medium distance: Americans, Northern Europeans long distance : Japanese

The single finger beckon.
Eye contact



“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, etc. All cultures have their unique social rules governing their eye contact. What would you do according to Chinese custom? You can choose more than one answer from the given choice.
Use of space in the office



Location of office to indicate rank. Difference in office arrangement Ma culture in Japan (Ma=space) Furniture Arrangement Seating




Thumbs up Approval: U.S.;Britain; Russia Highly offensive:Iran Rude: Australia Thumbs down Disapproval: U.S.;Canada Rude: Greece
Gestures Around the World


cultures in non-verbal communication are a major source of friction, misunderstanding, and annoyance in ICC. Nonverbal communication is also rooted in culture.
Temporal Language

Leabharlann Monochronic (M-time): the United States, Germany, and Switzerland Polychronic time (P-time) : Punctuality and promptness Time frame Informal time (Text. p.167) Past, Present, Future




Closed Fist Obscene Gesture: Pakistan Obscene: Lebanon The V Sigh Victory: Britain;U.S. Peace: U.S
Gestures Around the World


To Hell with You Offensive Gesture: Britain; South Africa The Finger Highly Offensive: U.S.;Most of Europe; Many parts of world
Talk 6
Culture’s Impact on Non-verbal Language
Non-verbal communication
Communication theorists assert: less than 30% of communication is verbal in nature. Over 70% of communications takes place nonverbally. Edward Hall : “Silent Language” in 1959, laid the foundation for the study of non-verbal communication.
Body Language



Eisenberg asserts that body language vocabulary totals over 270,000 items. Samovar declares that it comes to 700,000. The Webster’s Third New International Dictionary records no more than half a million words
Functions of non-verbal communication


Replacing Modifying Regulating Conveying