Abstract With the development of economic globalization and society, intercultural communication has been more and more frequent, and people come to realize the subtle and profound impact of culture on the communication. In the process of interaction, there are always lots of misunderstandings especially when people talk with each other in nonverbal means. Body language is a significant part of the non-verbal communication, which plays a secondary and supporting role in the process of cross-cultural communication. Body language occupies a very important position behind the successful communication. In different cultures, the meanings of body language are not entirely the same.59913

This paper uses the theories and methods of comparative linguistics, discourses of the body language within English and Chinese cultural background of a comparative analysis. The aims of this paper are to make people aware of the importance of body language in communication and to improve the ability to use it.

Key words: intercultural communication; nonverbal communication; body

language and communication

摘要随着经济全球化和社会的发展，跨文化交流日益频繁，人们逐渐认识到文化对交流的影响微妙而深刻。交往过程当中的曲解尤其是非言语交际产生的文化矛盾更是很多。在非言语交际中，体态语又是其首要组成部分，在跨文化交际的过程当中，对言语交际发挥着帮助、支持的重要作用，在获得成功交际的背后占有非常重要的位置。在不同文化中，体态语的意思并不一定一样。

本文将英汉体态语的对照放在跨文化交际的视角下来分析，将跨文化交际学理论、社会文化学理论和体态语联合，使用对比语言学的有关理论和方式，对英汉背景下的体态语进行了对比分析，使人们意识到体态语在交际中的重要性，提高体态语交际的能力。

毕业论文关键词：跨文化交际；非言语交际；体态与交际

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

3. Analysis of English and Chinese Body Language in Intercultural Communication 4

3.1 The Definition of Body Language 4

3.2 The Classification of Body Language 5

3.3 Body Language and Intercultural Communication 6

3.4 Case Study 7

4. The Findings of Comparison of English and Chinese Body Language 9

4.1 The Characteristics of English and Chinese Body Language in Intercultural Communication 10

4.2 Cultural Factors Contributing to the Differences 10

5. The Application of Body Language in Intercultural Communication 11

5.1 The Barriers of Intercultural Communication 11

5.2 The Principles of Using Body Language in Intercultural Communication 13

6. Conclusion 15

Works Cited 16

 1. Introduction 

Traditionally, many Chinese believe that as long as in the process of learning English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, one can master this language. Now, more and more people learn that, if they want to gain the purpose of communication, they should put their language and culture together. One who knows well of English vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar, but knows little about cultural barriers of English-speaking countries may have troubles when communicating with native English speakers. In fact, language, a part of culture, is the carrier of culture and closely related to culture.