论肢体语言在跨文化交际中的应用_英语论文

On the Application of Body Language in Intercultural Communication

摘要

近年来，随着中国改革开放步伐的加快，对外交往日益频繁，国与国之间的交流越来越广泛，而非语言作为跨文化交流沟通的一大重要手段，和语言交流发挥着同样关键的作用。肢体语言是非语言中的重要部分，也是各国文化的体现。由于各国所处的社会及宗教等因素的不同，产生了不同的语言习惯，因而在不同的文化中，肢体语言的意义也不完全相同。跨文化交际时，如果对肢体语言理解不到位，可能会造成误解，闹出笑话，甚至容易引起不必要的交际冲突。本文首先介绍了国内外对肢体语言的研究现状，其次阐述了其在跨文化交流中的四个主要作用，即消除语言壁垒、表达与语言所述相反的意思、补充和重复语言所表达的含义以及将跨文化交流变得规范化；最后通过身体距离、身体接触、目光接触、笑容、手势和点头摇头这六方面展现了肢体语言在不同国家间的交流和沟通上存在的差异和正确应用原则。

关键词：肢体语言；应用；跨文化交际

Abstract

In recent years, with the pace of China’s reform and opening up to the outside world, bilateral and multilateral exchanges become more frequent and wider. The nonverbal language, an important means of communication, plays the same role in cross-cultural communication as verbal language does. Body language is an important part of nonverbal language and it is also a reflection of culture. Because of the different social background and religious factors in different countries, people have different language habits. And that is why the meaning of body language is not the same in different cultures.  If we have a misunderstanding with the meaning of body language, we may cause misunderstanding, make funny mistakes and lead to unnecessary communication conflicts. In this article the author first introduces domestic and overseas researches on body language and then the author discusses the main functions of body language in intercultural communication. The four main functions are eliminating language barriers, expressing opposite meanings, sustaining and repeating verbal messages and regulating cross-cultural communication. Finally, the author introduces the correct application and principle of body language in intercultural communication from six aspects, i.e. body distance, physical contact, eye contact, smile, gesture and nodding and shaking of the head.

Key words: body language; application; intercultural communication

Contents

Acknowledgements i

Abstract & Key words in English  ii

Abstract & Key words in Chinese.iii

Introduction.1

1. Brief introduction of body language.1

2. Related theories .2

3. Functions of body language in intercultural communication5

3.1 Eliminating language barriers5

3.2 Expressing opposite meanings5

   3.3 Sustaining and repeating verbal messages6

   3.4 Regulating cross-cultural communication.6

4. Application of body language in intercultural communication.6

   4.1 Body distance7

   4.2 Physical contact8

   4.3 Eye contact9

 4.4 Smile.11

 4.5 Gesture11

 4.6 Nodding and shaking of the head.14

Conclusion.14

References.16