英語專業(yè)畢業(yè)論文--淺析肢體語言禁忌在中西文化中的差異

1、<p><b>　　研究方向：文化</b></p><p><b>　　作者姓名：</b></p><p><b>　　所學(xué)專業(yè)：英語</b></p><p>　　論文題目：On the Taboo differences in Body Language in Chinese and We

2、stern cultures</p><p>　　淺析肢體語言禁忌在中西文化中的差異</p><p>　　論文字?jǐn)?shù)：4,200</p><p><b>　　指導(dǎo)老師：</b></p><p><b>　　提交日期：2</b></p><p>　　A thesis submit

3、ted to the Foreign Languages Department of Northwest University for Nationalities for the degree of Bachelor of Arts</p><p>　　Table of Contents</p><p>　　1Introduction…………………………………………...….....1&l

4、t;/p><p>　　2The Significance and Features of Body Language………. 2</p><p>　　2.1 Significance of Body Language…………………………………………. . .2</p><p>　　2.2 The Features of Body Language………………………………

5、……………3</p><p>　　3Taboos in Body Language…………………………………..3</p><p>　　3.1 Taboos of Facial Expressions………………………………………………. 3</p><p>　　3.1.1 Smiling……………………………………………………………………4</p>

6、<p>　　3.1.2 Smacking………………………………………………………………….4</p><p>　　3.1.3 Covering the Mouth……………………………………………………….4</p><p>　　3.2 Taboos of Eye Contact……………………………………………………….4</p><p>　　3.3

7、Taboos of Gesture…………………………………………………………….5</p><p>　　3.3.1 Waving…………………………………………………………………….5</p><p>　　3.3.2 “V” Gesture………………………………………………………………..6</p><p>　　3.3.3 “OK” Gesture…………………

8、…………………………………………...6</p><p>　　3.3.4 Middle Finger-up…………………………………………………………..6</p><p>　　3.3.5 Thumbs-up………………………………………………………………....7</p><p>　　3.3.6 Shaking Hands………………………………………………………

9、……..7</p><p>　　3.4 Taboos of Posture……………………………………………………………..8</p><p>　　3.4.1 Sitting…………………………………………………………………….. .8</p><p>　　3.4.2 Crouching…………………………………………………………………..9</p>

10、<p>　　3.4.3 Walking………………………………………………………………….. .9</p><p>　　3.5 Taboos of Touch…………………………………………………………….. .9</p><p>　　3.5.1 Touching with Stringers’ Body…………………………………………..10</p><p&

11、gt;　　3.5.2 Touching with Bodies of the Same Sex………………………………….10</p><p>　　3.5.3 Touching with Children’s Body………………………………………….10</p><p>　　4 Conclusion…………………………………………...……..11</p><p>

12、;　　5 References……………………………………………………...…….…12</p><p>　　6 Acknowledgements…………………………………………………... .13 </p><p>　　Taboo in Body Language between China and West</p><p>　　【Abstract】</p&

13、gt;<p>　　The two ways of human communications, the verbal communication and non-verbal communication are complementary to each other and become undivided entirety. Body language is the most normal non-verbal commu

14、nication in human communication, including facial expression, eye contact, gesture, posture and touch, etc. The same act of body language can be considered as the different signal and information by the people with diffe

15、rent cultural background. Once leaving it out, one may outrage others. There</p><p>　　【Key words】</p><p>　　Non-verbal communication, body language, taboo, intercultural communication</p>

16、<p><b>　　【摘要】</b></p><p>　　人類交際有兩種形式:語言交際和非語言交際。這兩種形式相輔相成，構(gòu)成人類交際不可分割的整體。體態(tài)語是人類交際中最常見的一種非語言行為,它包括眼神、手勢、身姿、面部表情和體觸行為等。由于文化差異,同一動作的體態(tài)語會被不同文化背景的人理解為不同的信號和不同的信息,稍不注意就會犯忌。因此,在中西方跨文化交際中,人們應(yīng)了解彼此的體態(tài)語

17、禁忌,這樣才能避免因不當(dāng)?shù)捏w態(tài)語行為而引起文化沖突。</p><p><b>　　【關(guān)鍵詞】</b></p><p>　　非言語交際 肢體語言 禁忌 跨文化交際</p><p>　　1. Introduction</p><p>　　Human being communicates with each other b

18、y two ways. One is verbal communication, and the other is non-verbal communication. The successful cross-cultural communication needs to understand not only the verbal behavior but also the non-verbal. Body language is t

19、he most common non-verbal communication and it is a symbol system, an information carrier of people exchanging ideas and expressing emotions which generally accompany and give a hand in message delivery. Merriam-Webster&

20、#39;s Collegiate Dicti</p><p>　　Body language of human beings has something similar among those who speak varied languages, live in different regions and have diverse cultures, so they can communicate effect

21、ively to some extent. Moreover, body language as well as language is the vehicle of culture, and is a set of clear, definite and model sign which comes into existence from the culture of its own. Meanwhile, as the langua

22、ge, body language also has the cultural mission interweaving with culture together. Body languages of dif</p><p>　　2. The Significance and Features of Body Language</p><p>　　2.1 Significance of

23、Body Language</p><p>　　Body language, resorted to person’s visual organ directly, is the only way to communicate with each other and plays a decisive role in the human history of communication before languag

24、e emerged. A research shows that human did not have sounds and written language in the early years of human evolution. Humans had no choice but to live and work together due to irresistible power of nature and ferocious

25、attacks of beasts. Thereby body language, expressing ideas and information, produced while peopl</p><p>　　However, in cross-cultural communication many a man merely focuses on accuracy, appropriateness and a

26、cceptability of verbal communication while skipping over the differences and influence of body language which make cultural misunderstandings and conflicts occur continually. Presently, Chinese have known about verbal ta

27、boos so much like age, income, belief, etc., but still little in body language. For instance, talking with foreigners too close makes them feel uncomfortable; looking directly at </p><p>　　The Features of Bo

28、dy Language</p><p>　　Just the same as spoken language, body language is a way to deliver that accumulating during long life in human history. With diverse cultural background, pattern of manifestation and co

29、nnotation of body language not only have similarity but disparity. As a result, there are two features of body language: biological and cultural features.</p><p>　　Biological features refer to the special fe

30、atures which human, whatever nations, all have to express some emotions because the facial expression is innate behavior and human physiology is in common. For example, people smile when being happy, gape eyes when being

31、 angry, and frown when feeling dissatisfied, etc. The very similarity of body language makes Chaplin beloved by Chinese through his brilliant performance in silent film.</p><p>　　Cultural features mean some

32、body languages get acquired and pass on from generation to generation, sharing with the members of social groups and being the part of those cultures. Owning to several cultural backgrounds between china and the west, th

33、ey build up respective values and behavior patterns so that they have no alikeness expressing and understanding body language.</p><p>　　Besides, many behaviors of body language are acquired and particularly

34、accepted due to customs. For example, a shrug done by Anglo-Americans means having no other way or being rather baffling; saluting with the hands folded, a Chinese traditional etiquette, expresses good wish for each othe

35、r during festivals. Hence, in cross-cultural communication, the same action or behavior can comprehend different information by various people with unlike cultural background: a courteous conduct will deem to </p>

36、<p>　　3. Taboos in Body Language</p><p>　　3.1 Taboos of Facial Expressions</p><p>　　The most crucial and conspicuous facial expressions, for physiologic and biologic reasons, show a great

37、variety of emotions on the face, such as angry, hate, fear, happy, sad and surprise. There is some mirror of facial expressions like “pull a long face” and “be all smiles”. However, the same expression may take so differ

38、ent meanings that it is not easy to comprehend.</p><p>　　3.1.1 Smiling</p><p>　　Smiling is the common nature of human beings. Nonetheless, in the communication, smiling has diverse meanings beca

39、use of different cultures. In China, smiling refers to being happy or friendly as well as in America, but sometimes also expresses apology or embarrassment. Resulting in culture unlike, it is all too often to put the boo

40、t on the wrong foot. For instance, an American feels embarrassed when knocking over a dish while eating and then nearby, a Chinese gives comfort to him by smiling whi</p><p>　　3.1.2 Smacking</p><p

41、>　　People smacking indicates food is tasty while they are eating in china, but quite the reverse in British, which means food is vapid. Likewise, it is the symbol to over-exaggerate agony and sorrow in the Mediterrane

42、an. Therefore, do not smack at table to keep polite and to lessen the chance of misunderstanding.</p><p>　　3.1.3 Covering the Mouth</p><p>　　Both Chinese and westerners may do the action of cove

43、ring their mouths. Chinese covering their mouths refers to whispering with people or avoiding saliva out of mouth whereas the British and the Americans consider it is to conceal a lie. Therefore, people had better not do

44、 that in case they make a negative effect when communicating with others (Li, 2000).</p><p>　　Taboos of Eye Contact</p><p>　　Eye contact is the bridge of passing on information. Different eye co

45、ntact reflects disparate thought, as well as psychology effect. As an important aspect of body language, eye contact has dissimilar rules in the distinct culture, westerners regard eye contact directly as honesty, howbei

46、t Chinese think it is short of respect even offence. However, long time to contact with each other can be deemed to unsuitable; even with appreciative sight can make the other angry too. Many foreigners usually </p>

47、;<p>　　For instance, when two Arabs talk together and stare at each other with warm eyes, this eye contact is not appropriate for two men by reason that long time to gaze is always considered to be a part of homos

48、exual subculture’s codes in body language from the angle of American culture. Furthermore, an educated British believes that keeping his eyes on others directly when communication is gentility; while Chinese may think on

49、e staring at himself all the time is up to no good or take off his coat; S</p><p>　　In the 19th century, after traveling Spain, a France writer Gautier reported frankly: “in Spain, I have never seen any Span

50、ish women didn’t bring her own fan to wander everywhere even go to the church. They play the fan absolutely exquisiteness, no matter open, close, or move between the fingers. How nimble they are! In front of these ladies

51、, any a magician may suffer an eclipse.” (Lian, 2005)</p><p>　　Taboos of Gesture</p><p>　　Gesture is the most significant compose in body language and the necessary tool of communication. Around

52、 the world, gesture is plenty that diverse from cultural background and gives different connotations. Generally speaking, nations of south Europe as Italy, Spain, and Greece are the most frequent and exaggerate to use ge

53、sture; nations of middle or Western Europe like Germany, British and Holland take the second; nations of far northern take third, because few gestures are used to communicate w</p><p>　　3.3.1 Waving</p>

54、;<p>　　Chinese and American all have gesture to wave people to come, but people can be misunderstood by each gesture for which suggests different connotations. When Chinese wave someone to come, they often stretch

55、 out their arm, palm down, and the hand swing up and down, back and forth while westerners think this action seem to tell them pejoratively to go away; whereas American wave someone, their palm up, and just a little shak

56、e by the index finger or all fingers but for Chinese adults it is impolite</p><p>　　3.3.2 “V” Gesture</p><p>　　There is a universal language that means “victory” by stretching the right hand’s f

57、orefinger and the middle finger to make a “V” gesture (Xia and Zhang, 2003). “V” is the first letter of the word “victory” (Xia and Zhang, 2003). Nevertheless, remember to make sure that the palm toward outside is the vi

58、ctory meaning, on account of the palm toward inside equal to a notorious gesture around most European countries. It is said that Winston Churchill, the prime minister of British, made a wrong “V” t</p><p>　　

59、3.3.3 “OK” Gesture</p><p>　　Undisputed, “OK” gesture represents “no problem”, “every thing is all right”, “I am fine” and so on in English, which gradually becomes a world language and often appears in Ameri

60、ca and Britain’s daily life. But there is a region in the south of France where “OK” gesture shows “zero” and “not worth a penny”. Thus a British use “OK” gesture to throw bouquet at a new car brought by a French friend

61、and it can be sure that his friend must be unhappy. In Middle East and some areas of North America, t</p><p>　　3.3.4 Middle Finger-up</p><p>　　In America, there also have an obscene gesture of d

62、efiance or derision by pointing or jabbing the middle finger upward to insult others. It’s called middle finger-up which is the symbol of licentious and indecent behavior of the male reproductive organs. People called mi

63、ddle finger “a shameless finger” and Chinese accordingly must not imitate absolutely (Pan, 2005). Besides, some time in a live football match, it can be seen commonly a sportsman made the middle finger upward by occasion

64、 of dissa</p><p>　　In the bargain, when talking with American, they often point at someone or something by middle finger to emphasize a statement or explain an argument but it is a taboo to be pointed by oth

65、ers in middle finger when making a conversation with Chinese. Because they believe that pointing at others by middle finger must be an offensive behavior to others. Farther, Chinese will try to ask you to look before you

66、 leap or try to think again when solving the difficult problem through a middle finger to dr</p><p>　　3.3.5 Thumbs-up</p><p>　　Thumbs-up is also becoming a world language which is the most gener

67、al acts of Chinese to speak well of others and smile on others. In America and France, in order to take a free car people usually take thumbs-up at lateral direction but in Hellenic Republic, this gesture just like a “mi

68、ddle finger-up” which means an indecent act. Surely you should take another gesture provided hitch-hiking in Greece, or else the driver would curse you at a burst rather make you get into his car. For good measure</p&

69、gt;<p>　　3.3.6 Shaking Hands</p><p>　　Shaking hands is acceptable universally in English and Chinese culture and has a wide variety of connotations to refer to not only welcome and congratulation but

70、also lament and comfort. At the same time, there are some differences in habits between Chinese and Anglo-American in shaking hands. British and American people, when having a meeting, will shake hands, shaking vertical

71、slightly once or twice and loose in a jiffy which is just a ceremony. It can be considered suitable that an appropriat</p><p>　　Taboos of Posture</p><p>　　It can be disparate by culture when peo

72、ple talking with each other by which type of posture, such as how to stand or sit. Every posture in a specific district and different culture will deliver special information and from these postures people can clearly se

73、e the status or the degree of relationship while communicating with each other.</p><p>　　3.4.1 Sitting</p><p>　　In the western country, a standing person is an older or in a higher position in t

74、he company plays a role of dominator than the sitting one during the conversation in general and while in china, the boot is on the other foot (Hu, 1995). Generally speaking, junior or zilch standing for the ceremony to

75、listen with cap in hand is in a passive position, yet the seniority and the higher-up are always sitting when talking and are the king of a conversation (Hu, 1995).</p><p>　　Sitting also represent different

76、behaviors in diverse of cultures. The American man like sitting a posture in number four of Arabic numerals which refer to one leg crosses on the other and the tip of the toe toward the next one. It is still hard to acce

77、pt by the elder in China to sit in this cross-legged because they think it shows no respect to people with whom you are talking. Meanwhile, in some occasions in west, ladies may make a misunderstanding easily due to her

78、subconsciously casual postu</p><p>　　3.4.2 Crouching</p><p>　　The posture of crouching also refer to culture vary from country to country. In China, especially in the rural area, crouching is co

79、mmon. A great many people regard it as a natural posture of taking a rest, like the peasant living in shanxi and shanxi provinces of China, people rather crouch than sit down while on the table (Hu, 1995). Nevertheless,

80、every literate person particularly those who received higher education seldom take a crouch as a habit. However, in Anglo-American, people regard th</p><p>　　3.4.3 Walking</p><p>　　In the old da

81、ys, it is said that, a joke of Europe, the European seems to have no knees, both legs are always upright and never bend while walking, which is widely spread in the eastern (Hu, 1995). Former Soviet Union has a joke that

82、 the posture of American walking appears that all the land under their feet belong to them (Hu, 1995). Researched in China, Leger Brosnahan found that Chinese dislike British walking behavior and he thought that in the E

83、nglish-speaking country, people walk formally w</p><p>　　Taboos of Touch</p><p>　　To communicate with others by body touching, touch behavior is one of the most basic behaviors of body language

84、in human communication, including hugging, kissing, shaking hands, etc. Long before people have found that some nations had high contact with each other by body touching while some had low contact so that people divide t

85、he culture into “contact culture” and “l(fā)ow-contact culture”(Hu,1999). Arabian, Jew, people in southern and western of Europe and people use Latin as mother tongue belon</p><p>　　Touching with Stringers’ Body

86、 </p><p>　　There are still difference though China and some English countries belong to low-contact culture. In Britain and America, even in a crowded elevator, mutual body contact is not allowed and once pe

87、ople touch each other a little unconsciously, they may say “excuse me” or “sorry” to apologize for it(Pan,2005). For they emphasize a basic principle that brooking no violation of a private space. Yet China, with large p

88、opulation, has a little attention to private space so that they can take lenient and</p><p>　　3.5.2 Touching with Bodies of the Same Sex</p><p>　　In English country, males and females all have a

89、 habit of hugging and kissing each other in meeting or greeting. Chinese do the same act only with their lover or wife in privacy so that they can’t bear this touching. Furthermore, in China, those of the same sex can to

90、uch each other causally but enjoin from those of the opposite sex which is just like the saying goes, in accordance with Confucian rules of etiquette, “In giving and receiving, man and woman should not touch each other”.

91、 However, in</p><p>　　3.5.3 Touching with Children’s Body</p><p>　　In addition, Chinese think touch with children’s bodies of friends or neighbors is hail fellow well met and people pat children

92、’s heads slightly or hugging them, showing friendly. Chinese like to touch his/her forehead or face lightly to show their kindness and gladness when they see a child from the west from time to time. In the contrary, it c

93、an pass for an impolite act in western, because only with an intimate relationship like members of family and close friends can do it, or parents will fe</p><p>　　4. Conclusion</p><p>　　With the

94、 increasing communication between China and western countries, we should strengthen the intercultural communicative competence that includes not only language communicative ability but body language communicative compete

95、nce. In term of the above comparisons and analysis of this paper, we can see that in cross-cultural communication, body language is an indispensable part of human communication which even plays a more important role than

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