Abstract:Verbal communication and non-verbal communication are the two ways in communication activities for human beings. As a kind of non-vocal language, body language is an important part of non-verbal communication and it is a bond and a bridge of a successful communication between person and person. Body language plays the same important role in the process of intercultural communication as vocal language.

　　　People use different body language to express their views and feelings when talking to others. But differences of body language appear from cross-culture communication because of different regions, races and custom. That is to say, in different cultural background, the same body language may have different meanings. Therefore, when communicating with others in foreign languages, listeners should understand the meanings of gestures and movements of the speakers so that they can avoid misunderstanding. This article mainly discusses the functions and cultural differences of body language. It aims at making people know more about body language in different cultures and improve their capacity and awareness of intercultural communication.

Key Words: body language; functions; culture differences

中文摘要:人类进行交际活动的方式主要有两种：语言交际和非语言交际。身势语作为一种无声语言，是非语言交际的重要组成部分，是人与人之间沟通得以顺利进行的纽带和桥梁，它与有声语言一样，在跨文化交际过程中起着不可替代的作用。

　　　人们在交际中运用不同的身势语表达自己的观点和感受；然而，由于地域、种族、习俗等的不同，使身势语在跨文化中产生了差异性；也就是说，在不同的文化背景下，同样的身势语表达着不同的意义。因此，在用外语进行交际时，听者要了解说话人的手势、动作所表示的意思，以免发生误解。本文主要对身势语的交际功能和文化差异进行论述，目的在于强化人们对不同文化的身势语的认识，从而提高人们跨文化交际的能力和水平。

关键字：身势语；交际功能；文化差异