Unit Six: Non-verbal Communication

1. Unit Six: Non-verbal Communication

2. Objectives: By the end of this unit, you should be able to: ◆ tell what non-verbal communication is and what purposes it serves ◆ express puzzlement ◆ explain rules for using gestures in cross-cultural communication ◆ describe various emotions revealed in facial expressions ◆ describe rules governing eye contact ◆ describe rules governing proximity and contact ◆ gain an awareness that successful cross-cultural communication depends not only on what we say and the manner in which we say it, but also on behavior we display

3. 3 5 1 6 7 4 2 Facial expressions Body distance Non-verbal Communication Case studies Gestures Homework Eye contact Contents

4. 1.What is Non-verbal Communication? ◆ Nonverbal communication will be defined as the process by which nonverbal behaviors are used, either singly or in combination with verbal behaviors, in the exchange and interpretation of messages within a given situation or context. (L. A. Malandro, 1983)

5. 1.What is Non-verbal Communication? Functions of non-verbal communication: • replace verbal communication (gesture) • modify verbal communication (loudness&tone) • regulate social interaction (turn taking) • convey our attitude towards ourselves and the people we are communicating with.

6. 1.What is Non-verbal Communication? Classifications of non-verbal communication : • body Language: posture, head movement, facial expressions, eye behavior, gestures, handshaking, arm movement, leg movement etc. • paralanguage: sound, pitch, tempo of speech, turn-taking, silence • object language: clothing, personal artifacts, hair, etc. • environmental language: time language, spatial language, color, light, signs and symbols, architecture, etc.

7. 2. Gestures Gestures are an important component of non-verbal communication. This is mainly a matter of how we use our hands to convey a message. The language of the hands differs from country to country and a gesture which means one thing in one country may well mean something quite different to those living in another.

8. 2. Gestures 1. the ring gesture: • In America/Britain, it means sth. is good; • In Latin America it is uesd as an insult; • In Japan it means money; • In France it means zero or worthless; • In Tunisia: “I’ll kill you.”

9. 2. Gestures 2.The thumbs-up sign: • In Britain it means sth. is good and it is also used as a sign for hitch-hiking. • In Greece / Sardinia it is an insult.

10. 2. Gestures 3. the single finger beckon: • In America it simply means: come here. • In Yugoslavia and Malaysia it is only used for beckoning animals. • In Indonesia and Australia it is used for beckoning prostitutes. i.e., ladies for the night.

11. 2. Gestures 4. the eyelid-pull: • In France and Greece it means: see my eye! • In England: don’t you think I can see it? You can’t fool me. • In Spain and Italy it is also related to be alert. • In South America it means you find a woman very attractive.

12. 2. Gestures 5. The ear-tug: • In Spain it means someone is a sponger, i.e. Using other people’s money and never spending his own; • In Greece it is a warning; • In Malta it says someone is a sneak; • In Italy it is used to call someone a homosexual.

13. 2. Gestures 6.The V-sign palm to others: • In England: peace &victory; • In Greece: hold up the palm to someone’s face means insult. palm to yourself: • In England transforms the meaning of insult.

14. 3. Facial expressions happy surprised angry afraid sad disgusted

15. 3. Facial expressions Describe the following facial expressions with proper words: surprised fearful disgusted angry shocked horrified revolted furious grief-stricken embarrassed ashamed proud shy bored suspicious confused

16. 3. Facial expressions

17. 4. Eye contact Eye contact is an important aspect of body language. One could draw up quite rules about eye contact: to look or not to look, when to look and how long to look, who ant who not to look at, etc. And these rules vary from culture to culture.

18. 4. Eye contact

19. 5. Body distance

20. 6.Case studies Please analyze the case on Page 240 It is showing the different meaning of the gesture for beckoning someone in China and America. Sun Yan suddenly felt uncomfortable with her boss because of the beckoning gesture.

21. 6.Case studies . The mistake : The gesture for beckoning someone in China is That the hand is extended toward the person, palm open Facing down, with all fingers crooked in a beckoning Motion. The gesture used by Mr. Black is one that is acceptable as A way of beckoning in his culture, whereas in China many would Regard the gesture as impolite or improper. Conclusion: Gestures can mean different things in different culture.

22. 7.Homework Case analysis: Bill had just arrived from the United States to study engineering at a Chinese university. In the first few days he met and moved in with his roommate Zemin. over the next few days he noticed that female students on campus frequently walked arm-in-arm or even holding hands .He noticed, too, that students of both sexes, but especially the boys, would huddle around newspaper displays in a fashion of close contact. Bill felt rather uncomfortable and wondered how he would respond if one of his classmates were to put his arms around him… Question:why does Bill feel uncomfortable?

23. 7.Homework The Key to the Question: He felt uncomfortable because of people are less concerned Than Americans to maintain an invisible private zone around their bodies which others may not cross. The students of both sex walked arm-in-arm and huddled is much more acceptable in China than in America.

24. Thank you !