英语毕业论文 文化差异在中英肢体语言交际中的影响

On Cultural Differences of Body Language Between English and Chinese

Written by:

Supervised by:

English Department

College of Foreign Languages

Anhui Normal University

October 2015

Abstract

Body 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, principles

I

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

II

Contents 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)