分析跨文化交际中的身势语.doc

Abstract

Since language has been created, it plays a commanding role as a means of communication, but it is not the only means of communication. Body language also takes an important role to help people transfer information and improve human communication, which is an indispensable power to break up language obstacles in intercultural communication. Body language, as a non-verbal symbol system and a collection of facial expressions, gestures, body movements and posture changes, is an important part of the non-verbal communication and connects with culture. 

With the deepening of international economic and cultural exchanges, there appear more obstacles caused by the differences of language and culture. In intercultural communication, the most effective way to deal with the obstacles is to master the meaning of body language. However, even if we understand the meaning of some general body language, there are also some difficulties to master it thoroughly. Because even the same body language have different meanings in different cultural backgrounds. This article makes a comparison and contrast of body language in different cultures in terms of facial expressions, physical contact, eye language, gestures, and etc. It aims to illustrate the differences and similarities of body language and put forward the principles of reducing barriers in intercultural communication so that people can achieve efficient communication and avoid misunderstanding.

Keywords: nonverbal communication, body language, cultural differences and similarities, communicative principles

摘  要

自从语言产生以来，言语交际便在人类交际中扮演最主要的角色，但它并非是交际的唯一手段。起辅助作用的身势语在人类交流中也起着不可忽视的作用。在跨文化交际中它帮助人们传情达意，突破语言障碍，促进交流。身势语，作为一种非语言符号系统，面部表情，姿势，身体动作和姿势变化的集合，是非语言交际的重要组成部分，并和文化紧密联系在一起。

随着国际经济文化交流的加深，由于语言和文化差异而产生的障碍随时都可能存在，在跨文化交际中，消除这些障碍最有效的方法就是了解身势语的含义。然而即使我们对常用的身势语有所了解，我们仍然面临着一些困难，即使同一身势语在不同的文化背景也会有不同的含义。本文通过从面部表情，身体姿态，目光语，手势语等方面对不同文化的身势语进行对比，目的在于通过列举身势语的文化差异与共性，提出交际中应当遵循的原则，从而促使人们有效地进行跨文化交际，避免出现误解。

    关键词：非语言交际；身势语；文化异同；交际原则 

Contents

Abstract in English

Abstract in Chinese

Preface 1

1 Introduction 2

1.1 Research Background and Necessities of Studying Body Language 2

1.2 Organization of the Present Thesis 3

2 Body Language and Culture 3

2.1 Review of Body Language 3

2.1.1 Definition of Body Language 3

2.1.2General Characteristics of Body Language 3

2.2 Cultural Differences and Similarities of Body Language 4

2.3 The Relationship between Body Language and Culture 5

3 The Characteristics and Classification of Body Language 5

3.1 The Characteristics of Body Language 5

3.1.1 Synonymy 5

3.1.2 Obscurity 6

3.1.3 Symbolic 6

3.1.4 Cultural Difference 6

3.2 Classification of Body Language 6

3.2.1 Innate acquired and conscious body language 7

3.2.2 Social environment effects on body language 7

3.2.3 The control of some body language 7

4 Cultural Differences and Similarities of Body Language and Principles of Reducing Barriers in Communication 7

4.1 Cultural Differences and Similarities of Body Language 7

4.1.1 Cultural Differences of Body Language 7

4.1.2 Similarities of Body Language 10

4.2 Principles of Reducing Barriers in Communication 10

4.2.1 Knowing More about Different Countries’ Body Language 10

4.2.2 Being Tolerant and Avoiding Prejudices 11

4.2.3 Appreciating Similarities and Accepting Differences 11

5 Conclusion 12

References 13

Acknowledgements 14