Abstract: Touch is an important form of nonverbal communication. It refers to the physical contacts such as handshakes, hugs, kisses etc. Due to cultural differences, the same way of touch can mean differently in different countries. This paper firstly gives a detailed account of the influences of cross cultural differences on touch in terms of handshakes, hugs and kisses; then it explores people’s different attitude toward touch and the frequency of touch; and finally, it points out the importance of learning about the concept of touch to people involved in intercultural communication and foreign language teaching and learning.
Keywords: nonverbal communication, touch, cultural differences, intercultural communication
摘要：触摸是通过身体接触来传达或交流信息的交际行为。它是人类的一种重要的非语言交际方式。它使用频繁，形式多样，并富有强烈的感情色彩，也具有极强的文化特色。本文首先分析了文化差异对触摸所表达涵义的影响;然后探讨了不同文化背景人们对触摸的观点以及触摸的频率；最后指出触摸在跨文化交际以及外语教学和学习中的重要性。
关键词：非语言交际，触摸，文化差异，跨文化交际
