Abstract:Language, as an important tool of interpersonal communication, includes verbal language, written language and body language. Body language consists of eye contacts, facial expressions, gestures, body postures and touch. When a person communicates information, the body language usually carries much more information than the verbal language. Since the body actions are often done by people subconsciously, body language can better reflect people’s real state of mind and deliver correct messages. However, the functions and significance of body language have always been overlooked in the course of communication. Moreover, due to the cultural dissimilarities, different customs and some other reasons, body languages from different cultures contain many different features. In cross-cultural communication, ignorance of these kinds of cultural differences in body language is likely to cause misunderstandings and even cultural conflicts. 

This paper is intended to probe into possible causes of the differences in body languages  through an analysis of body languages’ communicative functions and a comparison of body languages under different cultures for the purpose of  arousing people’s awareness of the different body languages and improving the quality of cross-cultural communication.

Keywords: body language; communicative functions; differences; causes

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

1.1 Definition of Culture-1

1.2 Culture and Language-1

Chapter 2 Body Language-2

2.1 Overall View of Body Language-2

2.2 Classification of Body Language-2

Chapter 3 Functions of Body Language in Communication-4

3.1 Substituting-4

3.2 Contradicting-4

3.3 Supplementing-4

3.4 Emphasizing-4

3.5 Repeating-5

3.6 Regulating-5

Chapter 4 Differences of Body Language in Communication Between China and Foreign Countries-6

4.1 Eye Contact-6

4.2 Facial Expressions-7

4.3 Gesture-8

4.4 Posture-8

4.5 Touch-9

Chapter 5 Possible Causes of the Differences in Body Language Between Different Countries-10

5.1 Religion-10

5.2 Living Habits and Customs-10

5.3 Character Traits of People-10

5.4 Environment-11

Chapter 6 Conclusion-12

References-13

Acknowledgements-14