The Importance of Body Language in

Intercultural Communication

Contents

Abstract.............................................

.....................................................

............1

I.

Introduction.........................................

.....................................................

.......2

1.1 Definition of Body

Language.............................................

..................2

1.2 The significance of Body

Language.............................................

........2

II. Reasons for Differences of Body Language between

the Western

Countries and

China................................................

....................................3

2.1 Differences in Traditional

Cultures.............................................

..........3

2.2 Differences in Ethnic Character

Traits...............................................

...4

2.3 Differences in Social

Customs..............................................

................4

III. The Differences and Application of Body

Language...............................5

3.1

Distance.............................................

....................................................5

3.2 Eye

Contact..............................................

.............................................6

3.3

Gesture..............................................

....................................................7

3.4

Touch................................................

.....................................................

7

3.5 Facial

Expression...........................................

.......................................8

IV. Principles to Avoid Intercultural Communication

Barriers

4.1 Do as the Romans

Do...................................................

.........................8

4.2 Be Sensitive about the Situation of the

Communication.......................9

4.3 Try to Participate More Actively in

Intercultural Communication........9

4.4 To Maintain Different Cultural

Tolerance............................................

.10

Conclusion...........................................

.....................................................

.........10

Bibliography.........................................

.....................................................

........11

1

Abstract

This paper explains in detail on body language

functions, differences and application in

intercultural communication .Body language, which is

the nonverbal behavior, plays a important role in

intercultural communication. Sits, stands, smiles,

winks, etc, all convey information during

communication. In particular occasions, same body

language in different cultures has different

meanings. According to Wikipedia, research has

suggested that 60 to 70 percent of information is

delivered by nonverbal behavior rather language

itself. In order to communicate effectively in a

foreign language, it is significant for us English

2

majors to get a thorough understanding of this topic.

Key words: body language, intercultural

communication, function

3

I. Introduction

1.1 Definition of Body Language

According to The Oxford English Dictionary, body language

is a form of nonverbal communication, consisting of

body pose, gestures,personal space and eye movements.

Human sends and interpret such signals unconsciously.

Body language, which goes with the verbal

communication, is an important tool of human

communication. In general, the study of body language

began in 1950s.

The Oxford Advanced Learners English-Chinese

Dictionary definition is: “Body language is not a

language in the strict sense of word language. Body

language is expressing how one feels by one’s

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sitting, standing, moving, etc, rather by word.”

The Oxford English dictionary (revised 2005)

definition is: “ Body language is the conscious and

unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes

and feelings are communicated. For example: his

intent was clearly expressed in his body language.”

1.2 The significance of Body Language

People couldn’t live without each other because we

are social beings. As soon as we are in contact with

others, we are communicating. It is quite significant

to talk with others when one tells others who has

been the winner of the football match yesterday, when

he would like to know his son’s performance at

school,or when he buys some beef home to make steak.

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Still, those words are inadequate. For example, we

can’t tell each other easily that how we feel about

each other, or how the word of a message is

interpreted. To make such meaning more clearly , we

use body language. Somebody was watching TV, reading

newspapers, listening to radio, chatting, these all

indicate that he is communicating with others.

Language is not the only tool. It is impossible not

to have the verbal behavior in human’s communication,

but the non-verbal communication goes with the verbal

communication.

Body language varies from person to person because

it could be used between different cultures. In other

words, everybody uses body language. People from one

culture communicate with one from other cultures by

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body language. However, each culture has its own

interpretation of body language, and some of them are

not the same. Using body language in a wrong way may

lead to confusion, or even misunderstanding between

speakers.

Body language is a way to express one’s inner

world. It is the most outstanding tool of non-verbal

communication. Body language is irreplaceable, which

represents people’s psychological activities richly

and accurately. More than 50% message are conveyed by

body language between face-to-face communications,

and the average time of speaking only account for 30%

of communication. This means that most of information

is expressed by body language. In some occasions, it

is better to use body language rather than speaking.

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II. Reasons for Differences of Body Language between

the Western

Countries and China

2.1 Differences in Traditional Cultures

The difference of the traditional culture

results in the different characteristics. Historians

considered that culture is the entire form of

movement of a nation. China and western countries

have their own different social soil and cultural

atmosphere. They have their own long history of

independent development and special space, and each

of them has its own distinct ethnic characteristics.

Body language reflects the characteristics of a

nation. It not only includes the nation’s historical

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and cultural background, but also contains the

attitude for life of the nation; it is a concrete

manifestation of people’s lifestyle and way of

thinking. Chinese civilization system is accurately

called “Chinese cultural circle”, people call it

“circle” indicates that it stays in an obdurate and

self-sufficient status for thousands of years as a

result of geographical factors and profound influence

of Confucian thought. In the inward-looking “circle”,

the Chinese people came into being a respected

family-centered culture system. Reviewing history, we

may find their homes are “siheyuan”; the board is

“cubic city”. It fashions a family-style country.

“Unification” is emphasized, meaning they pursuing

cooperation and living together. The strong family

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concept is very dim. No wander they say: “East,

West , home is the best”. Therefore, cultural

difference has clearly been reflected in their body

languages between China and the West.

2.2 Differences in Ethnic Character Traits

The nation character is a comparatively jar less

characteristic which is formed in the process of long

history of cultural development. This characteristic

is like a bright brand. It makes each nation has its

own characteristic and differences. There is a sharp

contrast between Chinese and Western ethnic character

traits, which lead to the different interpretation of

body language. China is a proprieties country with a

long history, whose feudalism, centralization of

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power pattern and the traditional culture have long

been existed. So chines ethnic character features

carefulness, modest, continence, etc. In the west,

because of geographic matters, different races and

social status, they tend to uphold autocephaly and

peace, extroversion, assuredness, candor and

voluntaries. Two different character traits bring on

two different kinds of body languages. Western may

think that China’s modest, connotation is short of

assuredness or self-contemptuous. Chinese may believe

western emotional exposure as arrogant attitude.

2.3 Differences in Social Customs

Folk-custom is a kind of special culture form, it

is the sedimentation of traditional culture, it is a

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kind of cultural phenomenon that goes along from

generation to generation. Body language and folk

culture are closely related. The former expresses the

latter one. Therefore, body language is heavily

affected by folk-custom. Much of the early history of

body language has lost, but new generations have been

shaping their own body language. They accumulate in

the folk custom and were retained, but many people

are not aware of these body language’s source. For

example, the word “ matzo” means people extending

their open palms to others face. Chinese people never

find any hostility in it as westerners do.

III. The Differences and Application of Body Language

Some body languages are the same to everyone, such

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as smiling and frowning, but other may convey

specific meanings to people from some cultures.

Awareness of different cultural body language is

especially important in world today.

3.1 Distance

Distance between speakers not only reveals the

relationship between them, but also reflects their

cultural trait. In other words, the personal space

preferred by people of a culture doesn’t correspond

to those from other cultures. People in different

culture have different ideas about the proper

distance between people conversing.

Interpersonal distance can be divided into 4

kinds.

1.Intimate distance (0-45cm). This is proper distance

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for spouses and lovers.

2.Personal distance(5-120cm). This is proper distance

for friends, acquaintances, and relatives.

3.Social distance (120-360cm). This is proper

distance for dealing impersonal matters.

4.Public distance (360cm-750cm). This is proper

distance for informal party.

Despite this norms, culture shock is not a mere

sight.

An Arab and an Englishman are talking. The Arab,

in order to show his friendliness, stood too close to

the Englishman. This, however, causes the Englishman

continuously stepping back. Then the Arab moved

forward to be closer, the Englishman moved back

again. In the end, they have stood far away from the

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beginning spot.

It may seem a little funny, but it infers to other

information that how important the interpersonal

space is during a conversation.

Spanish people may be a good friend of Arab

because they share the same understanding of personal

space. Russian an Italian stand closer than Spanish

and Arab. Latin American is the closest one, so the

fervent Chinese cannot adapt to it easily. In fact,

those people just try to adjust their habitual

distance to make a better conversation, which may add

stress to others because of culture variety.

In elevators, buses or other public places the

easterners have gotten used to the crowding, but the

westerners haven’t. So Chinese, Japaneses and the

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majority of Asian people see privacy not as important

as westerners do, and they require much less personal

distance.

3.2 Eye Contact

Eye contact is an important aspect of body

language. It reflects one’s inner feeling. However,

difference between the understanding of eye codes

varies quite obvious from culture to culture.

People in Arab expect the person to look at the in

the eyes during a conversation. But staring at others

or holding a lance too long is considered to be rude

in American culture, even when the look means

appreciation, because it may cause uneasiness and

embarrassment. In addition, the speakers of same

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gender who keep staring at each other for a long time

may be viewed as gay or lesbian by Americans. To the

British, eye contact properly is polite. French

people like looking appreciatively into the eyes of

others. There, in France, it is regarded courtesy

when ladies are stared by men in public. In Japan,

people always focus their eyes on others necks

because to them, direct eye contact are impolite.

Similarly, Chinese also feel uneasy by direct eye

contact.

3.3 Gesture

Gesture means to use one’s hands or fingers to

express meanings. But what is acceptable in the US

may be considered rude, or even obscene in other

17

cultures.

Take the most widely used gesture “OK” for

example. It conveys the same meaning for Americans,

Chinese and most western cultures. However, this

gesture has different meanings in given cultures. In

France, it also means “zero” or “nothing”; in Japan,

it means “money”; and in some Mediterranean

countries, it is often used to express one male is

homosexual. Even many Chinese accept this gesture as

a sign of “YES”, they are still using it to express

“three” or “zero”.

Once a TV program describes how a Chinese

housekeeper worked in an Austria family. One day the

housekeeper curved her forefinger with palm facing

outward to the Austria child in the family and called

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them over. But the child ran away angrily saying that

he isn’t a dog. So we should avoid using such

gestures in Austria.

What’s more Chinese will be surprised when they

see Americans who are taking their palm across their

neck in a dinner party. Chinese may consider this

kind of gesture as a signal of suicide, whilst

Americans use this gesture referring to “I’ve had

enough food.”

3.4 Touch

The manner of touch may serve as a reflection of

that culture’s attitudes and values. We can find from

cultures of Germany, England and Scandinavia that

people believe in emotional restraints. So they will

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do very little touching as compared with cultures of

Latin America, Middle East, Jewish, Greek and Eastern

Europe, which stress collectivism and outward

affection. Besides, Southeast Asians seldom touch

during a conversation, especially with opposite

gender.

What’s more, according to different cultures,

touching same places may convey different meanings.

Here are some examples. In Germany, women as well as

men shake hands at almost every social encounter; in

the US, however, women seldom shake hands; in Arabian

culture, men often greet each other by kissing and

hugging. It is also known to us that some parts of

body are not allowed to be touched in some cultures.

For example, in Thailand, head is sacred and it is

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offensive to touch others head. And in Korea, young

men are socially forbidden from touching the

shoulders of their the elders.

3.5 Facial Expression

In general, facial expression shows joy, fear,

boredom, anger and other emotions. A subtle change in

the emotion can be caught in facial expression.

Compared with eye contact, this one is easier to

identify. Though many expressions do convey the same

meaning such as smiling for happiness, encouragement

and friendliness while frowning for anger, pain and

dissatisfaction. Certain facial expressions have

unique meanings in some cultures. People in most

cultures give their warm welcome by smiling to the

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guest; while Indian tribes in America cry loudly to

welcome the arrival of guests. Smile and laughter

usually convey friendliness, approval, satisfaction,

pleasure, joy and merriment. This is generally true

in China as well as English-speaking counties, but

there are situations when Chinese laughter causes

negative reactions by westerners. When an American is

parking his bicycle, it fell over accidentally. He

felt embarrassed, and even humiliated then a Chinese

onlooker laughed at him. The Chinese onlooker may

convey signals: take it easy and don’t be so serious.

However, this manner is interpreted as impolite.

Sucking mouth in some cultures means agreement, but

it also refers to the deliciousness of food in China.

IV. Principles to Avoid Intercultural

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Communication Barriers

4.1 Do as the Romans Do

Just as the saying goes, “ When you’re in Rome, do

as the Romans do.” This is our main principle of

communicative activities. This principle means that

one should respect the communication culture of the

country and try to eliminate the interference caused

by their culture. According to this principle, we

should be familiar with customs and cultural

differences, beliefs so as to understand the real

meaning of their body language.

4.2 Try to Learn Body Language on Purpose

Although we have gained the brief understanding of

body language’s features, we are still unable to

identify the meaning of a behavior directly. Despite

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of the fact that many studies have been carried out

on body language, no regular pattern have been set up

between different cultures. Therefore we should learn

body language on purpose.

While reading books, attending a lecture, watching

foreign movies or communicating with foreigners, we

can observe much a lot of body languages. In daily

live, we can learn it in various ways, and those are

the very basic ways to learn it.

4.3 Be Sensitive about the Situation of the

communication

We know that the application of body language is

influenced by the situation of the communication. To

express one meaning, the body languages we use in a

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job interview is totally different from that in a

party. One’s body language at home comes easier than

that at workplaces. If we are not aware of the

situation, we will be unable to read the information

correctly, then misunderstanding may follow.

Therefore, to be sensitive about the situation, we

can understand some unusual body language easily.

4.4 Try to Participate more actively in

intercultural communication

The best way to get a thorough understanding of

the body language of other cultures is to communicate

with the native people. If we are frequently involved

in intercultural communication, we can understand the

body languages they use easily and effectively. Also,

we can practice what we’ve learned directly, which in

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turn strengthens our ability of the application of

body language. Thus, to participate in intercultural

communication is significant and helpful.

According to the above analysis, we need to work

hard to strengthen our intercultural communication

ability, so that we are able to perform better in

intercultural communication.

4.5 To Maintain Different Cultural Tolerance

In china, people will give chrysanthemum to the

patients. But Westerners never do the same thing

because they believe chrysanthemum is used in

funerals. Such differences are also true when it

comes to intercultural communication. Every culture

has its own interpretation towards certain body

languages, which is hard to understand for others. So

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we should respect such differences and maintain

tolerance between different culture. In doing so, two

points should be noted. One, we should not worship or

imitate the whole body language blindly. Two, we

should not be trapped in the fixed mode of cultures.

For example, people think Americans are always

informal while Britain are always conservative and

formal. This is not true, because all communicative

modes change with places, situation and contents.

The second point indicates that we should conclude

the rules by comparing different cultures and exclude

the interference to avoid culture conflicts. In

following these principles, a tolerant attitude

should be kept in mind. Remember, no culture,

religion, custom is superior.

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Thus in intercultural communication, theses

principles should be followed, so that we can keep a

right attitude towards cultural differences, then get

a thorough understanding of body languages easily.

V. Conclusion

In this essay the author have studied the body

language and introduced the applications and

principles in intercultural communication. From the

above study, we are more clear of the importance and

complication of body language, which will promote our

performance in intercultural communication. The

understanding of body language is conducive to the

daily communication and interaction with people from

other cultures. The specific culture tradition,

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national spirit, cultural character are deeply rooted

in the culture, so we should value the differences

between cultures. Meanwhile, we should understand

body languages in different cultures, which will help

us understand other culture correctly, establish

equal communication, and free us from the feeling of

cultural superiority, cultural prejudice and possible

cultural barriers.In short, body language serves as a

magic tool in intercultural communication. By

studying it, we can have a better understanding of

the differences between cultures, which will

facilitate our intercultural communication.

Bibliography

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29

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Benjamin’s Publishing Company, 1940,), 79.

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5 Aboyoun, Darren C, Dabbs and James M Jr, Sex or

Novelty? Social Behavior and Personality (Washington Press, 1988), 137

6 Edward Hall, Understanding Cultural Differences - Germans,

French and Americans, (International Thomson Publishing

Ltd.1990), 35

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1966)

8 Bhawuk, D.P & Brislin, R., The Measurement of Intercultural

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