Abstract: Body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication, consisting of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously. When people talk with foreigners and express their ideas, they will use more body language to strengthen their opinions. People should know that English is not omnipotent and body language is often used as a complement. This paper discusses the similarities and differences of body language in Chinese and western cultures from different aspects, and analyzes the reasons that cause these differences. It is hoped that through comparison, it will reduce some misunderstandings in the intercultural communication and people will know more about western cultures.
Key Words: body language; similarities; differences; culture

摘要：体态语是一种心理以及身体的非语言形式的交流方式，它包括体态姿势，面部表情以及眼神交流。人们往往会无意识地做这些动作。当人们与外国人交流时，往往会用体态语来更清楚的表达他们的观点。体态语在非语言交流中又是很重要的一部分,因此作为外语学习者，体态语是不容人们忽视的一部分，要知道英语在交流过程中不是万能的，所以体态语往往能很好地作为一种辅助工具。本篇论文将从不同方面讨论中西体态语的相似点和不同点，并且分析造成差异的原因。通过这篇论文希望让外语学习者能更深入地了解西方文化，并且在交流过程中减少不必要的误解。
关键词：体态语；相同点；差异；文化

Body language is an important tool in the intercultural communication. According to many scholars’ researches, non-verbal communication accounts for about 65 percent in the intercultural communication.（Samovar Porter, 2007:235）People often use all kinds of body language to express their ideas and sometimes these expressions are more powerful than words. This paper will compare the body language in the Chinese and western cultures, with a focus on the differences.
Many researchers define body language in many ways and from various angles. Julius Fast in his Body Language gives the following definition, “Body language can include any non-reflexive and reflexive movement of a part or all of the body, used by a person to communicate an emotional message to the outside world” (Fast, 1970:11). It was defined in a broad sense. In an easy way, body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication, consisting of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously. All in all, body language is a good way for people to communicate with each other.