Abstract：This thesis aims to illustrate the cultural differences in nonverbal communication in order to make our nonverbal communication successful. Firstly, it introduces nonverbal communication from the perspectives of introduction, significance and functions. Then, it further focuses on the cultural differences in five main aspects including gestures, postures, eye contact, physical contact and paralanguage. From these five aspects, it can be concluded that nonverbal behaviors differ from one culture to another and the differences may cause conflicts in communication when people misunderstand. Thus, some strategies can be concluded to raise people’s consciousness of cultural differences in nonverbal communication, and to improve skills in nonverbal communication.
Key Words: nonverbal communication; cultural differences; strategies
摘要： 本文旨在阐述非言语交际中的文化差异，以促进非言语交际的顺利进行。首先，从介绍非言语交际的定义、地位与作用入手，然后重点从手势、身势、眼神交流、肢体接触及副语言这五个方面分析文化差异，反映出非言语行为因文化的不同而不同，而这种文化差异又可能带来文化间的交际冲突。最后，归纳出相应的策略以促使人们提高非言语文化差异的意识，增强非言语交际能力，以避免交际冲突。
关键词：非言语交际；文化差异；策略
As globalization continues, people from all around the world contact more easily and closely. Though we may master other languages, there is more we should learn about how to communicate than just about the words we speak.
Nonverbal communication is an important part of people’s communication and there are differences from culture to culture. Gestures, postures, eye contact, physical contact, paralanguage are a few of the aspects of nonverbal communication that may vary significantly depending upon cultural background. Therefore, we should keep in mind what the cultural differences are and take notice of them when communicating with people from other countries. Besides, we should make our efforts to improve our skills for nonverbal communication through above three accessory appliances, such as using a video camera, digital camera and an audio recorder.
Only in this way, can we avoid communicative discomfort and conflicts to make nonverbal communication smooth. Thus, everyone enjoys fluent communication and lives harmoniously with others.
