比较中美文化中肢体语言的异同

浅谈中美文化中肢体语言的

异同

李贤凤

A Comparative Study of Body Language in Chinese and American

Culture

Li Xianfeng

Abstract: Body language is an important way of non-verbal communication; it has effect and implications which can not to be neglected in people's daily lives. Nowadays, body language is used broadly in cross-culture communication, so it is necessary for us to study body language.

This paper focuses on the comparative study of the body language in Chinese and American culture. First is the brief introduction to body language. Then, in part two and three，the author illustrates the differences and similarities of body language in Chinese and American culture. And the conclusion will be given in the last part. Through the study, the author hopes that a better understanding of the cultures of the two countries and an effective communication will be achieved.

Key words: body language; differences and similarities; effective communication

摘要：肢体语言是非语言交际的一种重要方式，在人们的日常生活交际中有着不可忽视的作用与影响。目前，在跨文化交际中，肢体语言的运用越来越广泛，为此我们有必要研究肢体语言。

这篇文章主要对比研究中美文化中肢体语言的异同，第一部分是对肢体语言的简要介绍，在第二和第三部分，作者通过举例子来强调中美文化中肢体语言的异同，最后一部分是结论。作者希望通过研究能让我们对两国文化有更好的了解，从而能达到更有效的交流。

关键词：肢体语言，异同，有效交流

Outline

1. Introduction

1.1 Definition and functions of body language 1.2 Classifications of body language

2. Differences of body language in Chinese and American cultures 2.1 Eye language and facial expressions 2.2 Sign language (gestures) 2.3 Postures

2.4 Body language with distinctive features in two cultures 3. Similarities of body language in Chinese and American cultures 3.1 Eye language and facial expressions 3.2 Sign language (gestures) 3.3 Postures 4. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Body language is an important means of non-verbal communication. Scholars reckon that “Body language is information”. It is first created by an American psychologist Birdwhistell who is the leader in study of body language in the west. He believes that among all means of expressing emotion and attitude, more than sixty percent is finished by facial expression, gestures, postures, etc.(贾玉新1997:449---456) The psychologist, David Abercrombie also points out “We say with our phonetic organs, but we talk with the whole body.” (贾玉新1997：448). In China, Yang Xiaoli once analyses the Chinese phases and gets a conclusion that more than one hundred and sixty Chinese phrases are used to represent the context of body language and they can convey emotion and intention separately. So many scholars have studied on body language in many aspects, which better illustrates the important of body language. This paper focuses on the contrast study of the body language in Chinese and American culture. First is the brief introduction to body language. Then, in part two and three，the author illustrates the differences and similarities of body language in Chinese and American culture. And the conclusion will be given in the last part. It aims to enable us to better understand the Chinese and American cultures, thus to achieve an efficient communication.

1.1 Definition and functions of body language

Body language, also called kinesics, is the means to use the body movements or actions to replace or assist the sound, oral language, or other means of communication to communicate with others. Psychologists believed that the information delivered by a person’s appearance and actions is much more than that of a person’s words.

“Albert Mebrabian, after a long-time study, he concludes a formula: the total impact of message = verbal (7%) + vocal (38%) + facial (55%).” (张健青 2004:33).That is to say body language can help verbal-communication achieve more effective communication. Body language can reveal people’s hidden mind and emotion, Birdwhistell indicates that all parts of human body, all organs can express and exchange information, emotion and attitude; moreover, these can make efforts that words cannot obtain(贾玉新 1997:449-456). And through people’s body language we can get some information about their own culture. Due to space limitations, here only gives a brief description about the function. 1.2 Classifications of body language

The context of body language is very comprehensive. Psychologists believe that body language includes the following aspects:

(1) Facial expression

The face has been called an “organ of emotion” (陈邦玲2004（3）：64), compare with words, facial expression is a natural way to reveal person’s emotion, is a very common way that we use to communicate and constantly to understand what others are feeling everyday. The face is the most simple and important broadcaster of emotion among all non-verbal channels. For one thing, we are able to hide our hands, cover our eyes, shut up our mouth, or choose to be silent, however, we can not succeed in hiding our face without making people feel we are intend to deceive them, then we can not put our face away. We suffer great pains and make great efforts to control the expressions we reveal to others, so “to read one’s face” becomes an indispensable way in intercultural communication. (2) Eye language

Eye behavior is an important part of facial expression. People often say that eyes are indeed “the window of soul”, because eyes can give us a lot of real information. Eye behavior happens between two persons. “The sender uses them to convey information and the receiver uses them to get information.” (刘白玉2005:47).We can know whether people like us or not from the way they look at us. When we are talking with someone, if the person stares at us, we can infer that he is attracted by us and he is interested in what we say or what we do, however, if the person looks around, glancing at his watch time to time, we often wander whether he is listening to us or absent-minded.

(3) Sign language (or gestures)

Everyone has hands and everyone uses them to communicate everyday. In fact, gesture is the core of body language. Instead of words, people can convey ideas, information and message by using the movement and style of hands and fingers. Using our hands, we can point out what we intend to buy and we can remind our listener how many things we want to have and we can emphasize our viewpoints, e.g. clapping our hands together loudly or putting our fingers in a ball as if we want to hit someone, wall or desk. To show that we welcome somebody, on the other hand, we have our hand out with the palm up and then move it to a seat to invite someone to sit.

When expressing doubt or helplessness, westerners like to shrug their shoulders and spread out hands, but Chinese people only wave their hands simply. Chinese people like to use the middle finger to point something that is an impolite and slighting presentation in American culture. The improper use of gestures will bring about much trouble and jeer. (4) Postures

Posture is a matter of how people sit, stand, walk and move. Our posture can give others many messages. “Freud said that nobody could really maintain secrecy despite his lips can keep silent, his fingers can talk and any part of his body will betray him.”(张建青,2004:36). This sentence means that people’s posture delivers more information that was concealed. From people’s posture, we can conclude something, for instance, when we see a person doesn’t stand up and tall, we say the person is not energetic, competent and unconfident. On the other hand, we can conclude that a person is not concentrated in what they are discussing if he standing lazily, and so on.

2. Differences of body language in Chinese and American culture

The meaning body language expresses differs from nation to nation due to cultural diversity and the differences bring about a lot of obstacles, misunderstanding and conflicts. Therefore, it is of great importance for us to understand the body language in intercultural communication. This paper will discuss them in details. 2.1 Eye language and facial expressions

When American talks, the two sides face each other, in their view, this is a sign of integrity and honesty. American people have an old proverb: Never trust a person who can't look you in the eyes. (Do not believe those who dare not look directly at you.) While the Chinese people in conversation, the two sides are not necessarily time to time to look at each other, some people have also deliberately avoided continued eye contact to show humility, obedience or respect. This may be one of the reasons that the American people in China think Chinese are not warm and friendly; but also explain why the American people like to talk face to face, and the Chinese people tend to “have a heart-to-heart talk.”

It is a habit of American people that the two sides look at each other while they are talking, but they hate eye-gazing (staring), because in their view this is a very rude behavior, a kind of imperil, as if they were “objects” rather than people, that they are “impersonal”. Ten years ago, when China had just opened the door of reform and opening up, usher in a small number of foreigners, the American people find that they are as statues of “rare animal” camel being looked up and down, and the stare at them makes them feel very angry. However, to gaze at people in China, sometimes means only a curiosity and surprise, not rude.

It is said that when people see an interesting or favorite thing in mind, the pupil will be expanded; and see something they do not like or dislike, the pupil will be reduced. This phenomenon is said in ancient times the jeweler had noted that their pupils change from customer to know whether the other party interested in the goods

to raise prices or decline in value of the decision. This situation, if true, is not what cultural differences, but who is more versed in this road, there are cultural differences, such as American businessmen dealing with the Chinese jewelers, is said to wear sunglasses to avoid pupillary changes are seen by jewelers. 2. 2 Sign language (gestures)

The implication of sign language is diversity, especially in cultural differences. Here we will take some gestures for example.

(1)Chinese people with continuous number from “1” count to “5” by fingers, first is to open a palm, and fingers cling to the palm one by one; American count number in contrast, first is to make a fist, and then straight out fingers one by one.

(2)American people with the thumb and index finger to form a circle, means “OK” (good), but in China the “0”-gesture is often used to represent the “zero”, so when old Chinese students asked American teacher about their exam results, American teacher used “OK.” sign to answer, but the old Chinese students felt surprised that: an absolute zero?

(3)Indicate the number “3”, the Chinese people have thumb and index finger form a circle fingertips phase, the other three fingers stretched open (if bent were “zero”, similar with the American people’s “OK” gesture); the American people straight index finger, middle finger and ring finger, little finger to thumb catch.

(4)Chinese use the straight index finger scratch the face, means shame; the American people express this meaning by using right hand’s index finger to whittle on his left index finger in front of the ridicule object.

(5)The “V” gesture (putting up index finger and middle finger with the palm towards out), In America, it means victory but not the number. In China, when seeing people doing this, the first impression came to mind of most people is that this gesture means the number “2”.

(6)American require a lift, the gesture is thumb-up when facing a coming traffic, (Note: in Australia and New Zealand, this is a carnal actions); in China, facing a vehicle, riders stretch one arm to the side, palm forward, make a “stop” gesture, or holding the right hand or both hands, say hello to the driver.

(7)In China, beckon to the people to come to the speaker, the gesture is that hand stretching, palms down, several fingers while bending a few times (American consider this as a sign to make the listener go away); but in America the gesture is on the contrast, which is hand stretching, but palms up and makes a fist with the index finger bending a few times (the Chinese consider this as a provocation).

(8) Put the index finger on the temples and then make a circle: In America, when

seeing a person is doing this gesture, people would think that this person is too odd or almost mad, but it is a signal to ask other to think over in China. 2. 3 Postures

In intercultural communication, the presentation of posture also reflects the differences between Chinese and American, such as, according to the Chinese tradition, the seated person is the dominator, so the young generations always give up their seat to the old. However, in America, it is quite opposite. Western culture emphasizes the “Ladies first”, so it is a courtesy that Ms. seated before the men pulled out a chair obligation to help them, and this is also a cultured, civilized performance. The dominator prefers to stand to show their high station. Chinese students cannot accept that the foreign teacher seat on the chair optionally in class. In China, it is demanded that the atmosphere in class should be active but cannot be too serious, so the foreign teacher’s gesture will be considered as unserious.

Moreover, in the classroom, the Chinese teacher questions, students usually stand up and answer the questions; in the U.S., students generally sit to answer the United States teachers.

American people sitting at home like a carpeted floor; in the United States Avenue near or public places, many people sit down wherever. In China, some American people sit down wherever they met, the Chinese people feel unsafe. Chinese people have to sit underground; they often find a newspaper or shop with a handkerchief in the ground, which American people consider as unhealthy, because in their view, how can a handkerchief be placed underground? The behavior of throwing scraps is not health and contrary to public morals.

American people stood stamping their feet, means impatient; Chinese stomping, shows angry, angry, frustrated, and regret.

American people are standing and walking with the posture of athletes and military, standing up tall, swaggering, big strides forward, to some Chinese students that the American people to walk, “as if the whole world as the property of all his”; in the eyes of Americans, Chinese with standard posture of scholars and civilians.

All cases cited above, either the Chinese or the American action similar, but the meaning is different; or the same meaning, but the expression of different body language.

2.4 Body language with distinctive features in two cultures

(1) The following is typical of American match with the body movements: ---Cross-arms at the waist, then down the stretch to go along your sides, saying “finished”, and “can not be saved.”

---Arms move up and down in front, to outline the contours of her body, said that “beauty.”

---Shrug: dynamic forehead wrinkles, brow lift shrugged, elbows bent, palms upward spread, even slightly bent legs, etc., said “I do not know”, “what to do”, “This situation cents no hope,” “ I can do nothing with this” and so on.

---Beating their hands upon the shoulder, that “self-congratulation.”

(2) Chinese also make many body languages which Americans are difficult to understand:

---To send things to other people or receive things with two hands, as a token of respect.

---Put up with one’s two index fingers out in front slowly approaching means that “men and women love,” or “Match happy match,” and so on.

---Speak with one open hand muzzled, saying that “secret talk.”

---With the index finger pointed at his little nose means: “It's me,” “I did it.” (Westerners consider this gesture as a bit ridiculous)

3 Similarities of body language in Chinese and American culture

We have discussed different meanings of body language between Chinese and American. We also should admit that body language has some similarities. As the countries are developing in the world, they communicate with each other more and more closely and frequently. At the same time, economy and culture become mingled. The world becomes smaller and smaller. We often called it “Global Village” in which the cultural meaning of body language tends to be similar. The United States and China will be no exception. For instance: 3.1 Eye language and facial expressions

When we are talking with someone, if the person stares at us, we can infer that he is attracted by us and he is interested in what we say or what we do, however, if the person looks around, glancing at his watch time to time, we often wander whether he is listening to us or absent-minded.

People make a big smile on their face when they feel very happy, whereas, they make a long face when they fell unhappy and anger. Smile also conveys the information of apology and forgiveness: when meeting or running into a strange person, smile means we don’t have enmity. On a crowed street, we step on someone’s foot incautiously, smile means “sorry”. To show that we don’t know, we often smile to the question master. People laugh when they feel happy. People cry when feel sad. Their faces turn red when they feel shy. If a person is hurt, he/she will cry to express

painfulness, etc.

3.2 Sign language (gestures)

(1) The signal “V” means “victory” — “we can see a SARS infected person use it to show his firm confidence to overcome this disease in China.”(陈邦玲 2004:114).

(2) “OK” means “consent” — we often use it to show our positive ideas in a meeting. 3.3 Postures

Even some Chinese and American expressions and their meanings are totally same. For example,

(1) “Shrug one’s shoulders” means “negative, uninteresting” — we use it to show that we don’t know when asked by others in our daily life.

(2) Patting on the back means encouragement and appreciation. standing with folded arms means indifference and so on.

(3) Waving one’s hand means goodbye.

There are still lots of special body language, as space is limited, had to be omitted.

Some body languages are gradually accepted by easterners. Here is an advertisement on CCTV that can be used to explain it. A Canadian named “Da San” can use submissive ceremony to show his best wishes. Americans are able to imitate the Chinese common body language. According to the study of anthropology, body language is the signal and tool of human communication and human being has the same ancestors, so the signal they express through their body language may be the same. We called it “innate” so some body language belongs to all nations in the world.

4. Conclusion

From the above, we have studied the differences and similarities of body language used by Chinese and American. Through the study, we can better know that the importance of knowing body language properly. With a very wide range of application body language can help us solve a lot of problems we meet in our daily life. In intercultural communication, we not only pay attention to the verbal language study, but also emphasize the study of body language. Only in this way can help us break down obstacles, which, in turn, achieves an effective communication.

It is difficult to master body language because of its complexity, but we can improve our intercultural communication abilities if we try our utmost to learn what we should know. If we do it better, we can not only understand others very well but also behavior ourselves in proper ways without making too many mistakes. And body

language cannot be separated from culture. Many body languages have cultural feature.

Hence, in order to make a successful intercultural communication, we should know the body language of different cultures.

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