英语专业论文-A Contrastive Analysis of Body Language in Between Chinese and American Culture

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Apart from such intimate contact, there is ritualized touch. The most obvious of a ritualized touch in America is handshake. This mutual gesture is widely practiced and serves as a substitute for a number of verbal messages: “hello”, “goodbye”, “it’s a deal” and “congratulations”. Handshake is common in China, too. People, especially men, tend to shake hands during initial meetings. There exist differences of handshake. To American people, Chinese shake hands are too long and less firmly. They call Chinese people’s handshake “dead-fish handshake” and Chinese regard theirs as “bone-crusher”, which means the handshake is too firm.

2.3 Facial expression

The face has been called “an organ of emotion”, because we constantly read facial expressions to understand what others are feeling. The face provides clues to our own feelings. For example, people make a big smile on their faces when they feel very happy, whereas, they make a long face when they feel unhappy. The face is the most important barometer of emotion among all non-verbal channels. We may be able to hide our hands, and may choose to be silent; however, we can’t hide our faces. Since we cannot “put the face away”, we should pay much attention to the facial expression when we communicate with other people.

We know the importance of facial expression in communication. However, the intercultural implications of these expressions are difficult to assess. For example, the Chinese don’t readily show emotion. Most of them have the concept of saving face. Smiles and laughter usually convey friendliness, approval, satisfaction, pleasure and

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joy. This is generally true in China as well as in America. However, there are situations when some Chinese will laugh, which will cause negative reactions by Americans. For example: when a foreigner accidentally broke a glass, he was originally embarrassed. However, the laugh which the Chinese gave out on the spot made the foreigner more angry and disgusted. In fact, Chinese laugh of the foreigner didn’t mean to take pleasure in the foreigner’s miss. It conveys a number of feelings: do not take it so seriously; laugh it off; it’s nothing; or such things can happen to any of us, etc. However, to people who are unaware of this attitude, the smile is usually quite unpleasant and often generates the feeling of laughing at them. So, in America, the Chinese smile is described as “inscrutable”.

While making apologies the Chinese often use a smile either as a display of embarrassment or to placate the speaker. However, Americans don’t accept apologies with a smile. When a mistake or an unfortunate incident has occurred, Americans will squeeze his or her lips together or lower the bottom lip, as Clinton repeatedly did during his televised appearances during the Lewinski Scandals. Any smile that seems less than apologies will make Americans angry. Sometimes, a smile with Americans tends to signal an intention to keep the atmosphere cordial, but for Chinese culture, it can mean an area of tension. After all, Chinese culture often uses the smile to display embarrassment or a feeling of discomfort with the conversation. American teachers in China often comment that on that first day of the class, students appear so happy. In fact, many are nervous and yet their smiles give the new inexperienced teacher some encouragement.

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Facial expressions carry meanings determined by context. Pain is conveyed by a grimace, which also signifies disgust or disapproval. Surprise, shock, or disbelief can be shown by raising eyebrows. A wink given to a friend may mean “You and I have a secret” or “I’m just kidding”. Between a man and a woman, a wink can be flirtation. Our faces easily reveal emotions and attitudes.

2.4 Gestures

Gestures are an important component of non-verbal communication. Without gestures, our word would be colorless. In a broad sense, they refer to special body movements that carry meanings. In a narrow sense, gestures are hand movements that are closely related to speech and are made by a speaker to illustrate what he is saying. Here we study on the narrow sense.

Some gestures have been widely accepted and understood. For example, handshake is a gesture that goes with greeting. However, it must be emphasized here that gestures vary in meaning from culture to culture. They can be troublesome, for a slight difference in making the gesture can mean something quite different. A wrong interpretation of a gesture can arouse an unexpected reaction.

2.4.1 The same gestures with different meanings in the two cultures

Both in China and America, there are many gestures practicing the same, but conveying a different meaning. A gesture with the thumb and forefinger in a circle is a

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friendly one in America, but it has a different meaning in China: “it is worth zero.” In America, when seeing a person put the index finger on the temples and then make a circle, people would think that this person is too odd or almost mad, but it is a signal to ask others to think over in China. In America, people wish good luck to one another by using the gesture----crossing the middle finger over the index finger of the other hand. However, it’s a symbol of the number “10” in China. During a speech, the speaker or performer claps at the same time when the audiences applaud. In China, this gesture conveys the mutual positive feelings by each other or means “thank you”. But in America, it is improper and immodest for one speaker or performer to do like that. Producing one’s tongue is a scorn for American while it means astonishing for the Han nationality and the Zang nationality in China.

2.4.2 Different gestures with the same meanings in the two cultures

There are a number of different gestures which mean the same thing in China and in America. When the Chinese want to express “shame on you”, they use forefinger of one hand extended, and sliding over one’s own face several times quickly, which is similar to scratching. But Americans use forefinger of each hand extended, palms down in front of one’s body, and one forefinger makes several brushing movements over the back of the other forefinger to give this meaning; When Chinese express “I’m very full” after a meal, they use the gesture with one or both hands open, lightly patting one’s own stomach. In U.S. people raise their hands to

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