Abstract：Body language is an important cross-cultural subject, including eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and so on. From the perspective of cross-cultural communication and relevant cross-cultural theory, this paper makes a contrastive analysis of Chinese and American body language in the workplace . First of all, it classifies body language in the workplace, compares the differences between Chinese and American body language in the workplace from the aspects of eye contact, gesture, posture, and then analyzes the reasons for the differences. And gives the corresponding suggestion to the application of body language in the workplace .

The study found that Chinese and American workplace language varies according to religious culture, mindset, cultural bias and ethnocentric attitude. Body language has rich cultural connotation, Chinese and American body language presents great difference in the workplace. In the process of cross-cultural communication, people should understand the connotation of body language in different cultural contexts, pay attention to the frequency, validity and degree of body language, so as to avoid unnecessary cultural conflicts caused by misunderstanding of body language in work.

The first part of this study introduces the research background, research purpose and significance. The second chapter is a literature review, which provides a theoretical basis for this study. Chapter three makes a comparative analysis of the use of body language in Chinese and American workplaces and points out the role of body language in cross-cultural communication. The fourth chapter points out the use of body language in the workplace and relevant suggestions. The fifth chapter is the last part of the paper, focusing on the main findings and Limitations of the Study

Keywords:   Intercultural Communication   Nonverbal Communication   Body Language

中文摘要：身势语是跨文化领域的一个重要课题，包含眼神交流、面部表情、手势等。本文从跨文化交际的视角，结合相关的跨文化理论，对中美职场身势语进行对比分析。首先对职场身势语进行了分类，从眼神交流、手势语、身体姿态等方面对中美职场身势语的差异进行了对比，然后分析了形成差异的原因，并对职场身势语的应用给出了相应的建议。

研究发现，中美职场身势语因为宗教文化、观念模式、文化偏见和种族观念的不同而不同。身势语具有丰富的文化内涵，在职场中，中美身势语呈现出较大差异。在跨文化交际过程中，人们应了解身势语在不同文化语境中的内涵，注意体态语言的频率、有效性和程度，以避免在工作中对肢体语言的误解而产生不必要的文化冲突。

文章的第一部分介绍了本文的研究背景，研究目的和意义。第二章是文献综述，为本文的研究提供了理论基础。第三章对于中美职场的肢体语言的使用进行了对比分析，并指出了身势语在跨文化交际中的作用。第四章指出了身势语在职场中的运用以及相关的建议。第五章是论文的最后一部分，重点介绍了主要发现以及可能存在的局限性。

关键词: 跨文化交际；非言语交际；身势语

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introductionn-1

1.1 Background of the Study-1

1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Study-2

1.3 General Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-4

2.1 Definition of Body Language-4

2.2 Previous Studies-4

2.2.1 Previous Studies on Body Language-4

2.2.2 Previous Studies on Cross-cultural Communication-5

2.3 Theoretical Framework-6

2.3.1 High-context Culture and Low-context Culture-6

2.3.2 Individualism and Collectivism-6

Chapter Three Body Language in the Workplace in Cross-cultural Communication-8

3.1 Classification of Body Language in the Workplace-8

3.2 Functions of Body Language in the Workplace-8

3.3 Comparative Studies of Body Language in the Workplace-9

3.3.1 Eye Contact-9

3.3.2 Gestures-10

3.3.3 Posture-12

3.3.4 Others-12

3.4 Summary-13

3.5 Factors Contributing to the Differences-13

3.5.1 Religious Culture-13

3.5.2 Mindset-14

3.5.3 Cultural Bias-14

3.5.4 Ethnocentric Attitude-14

Chapter Four The Application of Body Language in the Workplace-16

4.1 Problems in the Workplace-16

4.2 Rules of Utilizing Body Language-17

Chapter Five Conclusion-19

5.1 Major Findings of the Study-19

5.2 Limitations of the Study-19

References-20