A Contrastive Study of Intercultural Nonverbal

Communication—Gestures Between English and Chinese jiang zi min Yang Yan

(Department of Foreign Language,China Wes t Normal Unives ity,Nanchong,Sichuan,637002) 姜自敏杨艳

(西华师范大学外国语学院四川南充637002)

【Abstract】Non - verbal communication as well as verbal communication is the carrier of culture. It is a lso a very important form, which

supplement and improve the verbal communication. In some specific

circumstances, it plays an important role that verbal language can’t take. This thesis, compared with chinese, introduce the gesture and its cultural connotation in English- speaking countries.

【Key Word】Non- verbal communication; Body language; Gestures, Cultural connotation 1. Introduction

Interpersonal communications carry out between the two forms of

communication—verbal communication and nonverbal communication, in the process of cross- cultural communication. Language, including written form and verbal form, which can’t be replaced by any other means on account of its communicative depth and effectiveness, is the main tool of communication. However, non - verbal communication is also a very important form, which supplement and improve the verbal

communication. In some specific circumstances, it plays an important role that verbal language can’t take. Non- verbal communication is important because we use the actions of others to learn about their affective or emotional states. If we see someone with a clenched fist and grim

expression, we do not need words to tell us this person is not happy: It is significant in human interaction because it is usually responsible for first impression; it has value in human interaction because many of our

nonverbal actions are not easily controlled consciously. Finally, nonverbal communication is important to the study of intercultural communication because a great deal of nonverbal behavior speaks a universal language. “Many scholars believe that nonverbal signals are part of a universally recognized and understood code.” (Larry, 283) Non - verbal

communication includes Body Language, Paralanguage, Object Language and Environmental Language. And Gesture is the core of Body Language. It is the most commonly used and is the most important means in the process of non- verbal communication.

Body language as well as Spoken language is the carrier of the

culture with a rich connotation, and can get misunderstanding because of

cultural differences. In China, for example, people get used to pointing to the direction with the index finger, which, in English culture, it is a crude gesture without respect for others. For Chinese, Touching nose unconsciously doesn’t make sense and it is not matter much. However, Americans regard this behaviour as a gesture to lie or conceal bad ideas, or disagree or reject the other side' s views. Few young Chinese walk on the street, with their arm crossed, are perceived to be close friends. In western countries, it is likely to be viewed as homosexual. If neglected, cultural differences and its affection of non - verbal communication will

frequently cause cultural misunderstanding and cultural conflict in crossculture communication. Now, there is a brief introduction, compared with Chinese, about the gesture and its cultural connotation in English - speaking countries.

2.Same meaning, differ ent movements.

(1) People of English speaking country use the thumb or index

finger pointed to his chest; Chinese only point to his chest or face with his index finger.

(2) When counting 1,3,6,7,8,9,10, English speaking countries is

different form Chinese. Pointing index finger, crooking middle, ring finger and pinkie to indicate 1; pointing the index, middle and ring finger, pressing the pinkie with the thumb to indicate 3; stretching out the

closing five fingers plus the index finger of the other hand to indicate 6; Primary stretching out the hand, then successively added the middle, ring finger, pinkie and thumb of the other hand to indicate 7,8,9,10. 3.Same movement, differ ent meanings.

(1) Speakers of English keeping their middle and index finger

crossed to mean that the person is hoping for good luck. But in china, it means the number 10(十).

(2) Turning one’s ring betrays nervousness or uneasiness in English speaking countries (Zhang, 127). But in china others might think that he is showing off his wealth.

(3) The “V for victory”sign is now accepted in both china and

English speaking countries. However, this sign previously mean the number 2 in china. If someone makes the “V”with the back of his hand toward the others, this gesture means something else instead of “V for victory”—something dirty. It is an obscene gesture! (Zhang, 127) (5) The gesture with the palm up is always used in English speaking countries to call a person. But in china it is very rude to do so, because it means that you think that person is like an animal. (Zhang, 124) (6) Making a circle with one’s index finger at the temple is

normally used when talking privately about a third person, meaning that person is crazy, often in a joking way. In china, it means thinking. (Zhang, 125)

(7) Woman bending pinkie, for instance, when taking a teacup, is

considered as grace in china. But in English speaking countries people would regard it as artificial and deliberately gracing, or it means “I don’ t want to dirty my fingers.”

(8) The gesture “OK”is now used everywhere. It is said that there

are two sources of its origin. One is from organization in the United States by the supporters of the eighth U.S. president Martin Van Buren, named O.K. (= 0Id Kinderhook) Club. These fans shouted O.K. and said

everything will go smoothly. The other source is form the initial letters of “all correct”respectively. No matter how reliable these sources are, the implication of this gesture is clear: great, perfect, acceptable. But in china, it is used to meaning “zero”.

(9) The speaker or performer clapping at the same time when the audience applauds is acceptable in china, but considered improper or immodest in English speaking countries, for he or she is thought to be applauding himself or herself.

4. Same movement, same meaning.

(1) Placing the index finger to the lips indicates others to be quiet.

This gesture has a similar meaning in both Chinese and English cultures. (2) People of English speaking countries are accustomed to

Spreading out forward the palms and turning both side out to show that there is nothing. This is similar to Chinese culture.

(3) The “thumbs up” gesture usually means “good, correct,

approval, affirmation”in both China and English speaking countries. But the “thumbs down”indicates “rejection”or “refusal”, “defeat”or “no good”or “bad news”to English speakers. (Zhang, 125)

(4) Both Chinese and English speaker using their right fist to beat their left chest or taping their forehead to express regret.

(5) Both waving hand at or above the head to say goodbye, with fingers stretch out slightly.

5.Gestur es one has but the other don’t have

(1) Making a cross in front of one’s chest is a commonly used

gesture by people of English speaking countries to bless themselves or beg God for blessing or preventing them from misfortune. However, in china there isn’t such a gesture.

(2) When English speakers want to pay their bill after dinner, they

will making a gesture as if they are writing—- put the thumb, index and middle finger together and point them in the air or on the other hand. There isn’t such gesture in Chinese culture.

(3) Chinese always pinch the pinkie with the thumb, with a little bit top of the pinkie left to show their disdain. It implied cursing at

somebody. However, English speaking countries don’t have such a gesture.

(4) In English culture, if straightening the thumb and clenching the remaining four fingers, it means cursing. If pointing somebody with the

thumb, it contains a mockery meaning.

(5) In English speaking countries, people always spread out a fist

with a raising thumb. This means they want to take a free car. Chinese don’t use this gesture to express that they want to take a free car. (6) In English speaking countries, people point their nose with the thumb up with the other four stretching fingers swinging in front of

others, especially a common gesture of children, to show contempt, scorn, mockery.

(7) The gesture seems to be used only in United States, and many

people feel it is not as common as it once was. This gesture is made by moving one index finger against the other, it is usually used with children. Or adult do it as a joke. It means “you did something bad, shame on you.”However, Chinese people don’t use that gesture to express the same meaning. (Zhang, 128) 6.Conclusion

From these cases, we can see that nonverbal communication is also associated with culture, as with verbal communication. People from

different cultures have diverse means of sending message without the use of verbal language. Understanding the culture differences in the

nonverbal behavior helps us to communicate successfully with members from other cultures. To do so, we must be aware of two things. First, we must pay attention to our nonverbal actions. Second, learn the nonverbal ways of the other language. But both things are difficult to do because of the way deep culture works. Most people are not aware of their own nonverbal communication because it is so much a part of them: it just feels like the only natural way to act. So to learn about another culture, we must watch carefully how the people act and how they react to us. In doing so, we may learn as much about our own culture as about theirs.