12.3 第十二章 第三节

Unit 12 Cultural Differences and Taboos文化差异与禁忌12.3 Interview: Nonverbal communicationGood morning class, welcome to Unit 12 Cultural differences part 3: Nonverbal communication.Before we study some terms related to nonverbal communication. I would like to ask you a few questions. What do you know about nonverbal communication? Why is it important? What is nonverbal communication?Now we can study these background information together.The study of nonverbal communication has only a relatively short history. In the early 1920s, a scholar published a book called Physics and Character(图片12.3-1) and this is supposed to be the first book on nonverbal communication. Similar to culture, definitions of nonverbal communication differ from one expert to another. Nonverbal communication refers to communication without the use of words.What is importance of nonverbal communication?Researchers estimate that less than 30% of communication between two individuals within the same culture is verbal in nature. That means over 70% of communication takes place nonverbally. Nonverbal signals play a more decisive role than verbal message in determining communicative effects. For example, whether what you say is a joke or an insult depends on the facial expression and tone that accompany what you say.Nonverbal communication can often be your only first-hand knowledge of a foreign colleague who speaks a language you don't understand.What are the functions of nonverbal communication?Nonverbal communication has its own unique functions in interpersonal communication. It can replace verbal communication, as with the use of gesture. (图片12.3-2) It can regulate and manage communication by using some form of nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal communication can convey our emotions and attitude. It also can modify, repeat, complement or even contradict the verbal message. For instance, you tell someone you are relaxed and at ease, yet your voice quavers and your hands shake.How many kinds of nonverbal communication do you know?Most classification divide nonverbal messages into two comprehensive categories: those that are primarily produced by the body(appearance, movement, facial expressions, eye contact, touch, smell, paralanguage and silence); and those that the individual combines with the setting (space and time). Cultural differences in nonverbal communication can be examined in six group:1. Body movement (图片12.3-3)Body movement is not just confined to hand or arm gestures. It covers a much larger area, referring to any little movement of any part of the body. Three common body movements are posture, gesture and facial expression.Posture, the way people hold their bodies when they sit, stand or walk, can send positive or negative nonverbal messages.Gestures are another aspect of body language. Gestures can be emblems or symbols, illustrators, regulators, or affect displays.Facial expressions carry similar meanings in a variety of cultures, but the frequency and intensity of their use may vary.2. Eye contact (图片12.3-4)Eye contact is an important aspect of body language. While direct eye contact is important to American, it is considered rude in Japan, because it is invading someone's space.3. Body touch (图片12.3-5)Touch refers to communicating through the use of bodily contact. Researchers distinguish two broad categories of culture according to body distance: touch culture and nontouch culture. Arabs, Southern Europeans would like to touch people, while Japanese, North Americans do not like to touch others.4. Paralanguage (图片12.3-6)Paralanguage includes the nonverbal voice qualities such as tone, rate, pitch, volume, accents, laughing, crying and shouting, which interrupt or temporarily take the place of speech and affect the meaning of a message.5. Spatial language (图片12.3-7)Spatial language is the study of the way that people use physical space to convey messages. People from high-context cultures were observed standing close when talking to someone. Low-context cultures appeared to dictate a greater amount of interpersonal space.6. Temporal language (图片12.3-8)Temporal language, refers to the way in which time is used in a culture. Monochronic cultures emphasize schedules, a precise reckoning of time, and promptness. In contrast, polychronic cutlures emphasize the completion of transactions and the involvement of people rather than a rigid adherence to the clock.Now, having learned 6 types of common nonverbal communication, I would like you to think about a few questions. When you are interacting with foreigners, what differences have you noticed between you and foreigners? (图片12.3-9)Edward Hall on communication patternsA famous anthropologist, Edward T. Hall, (图片12.3-10) has spent more than 40 years studying communication patterns. He distinguishes cultures on the basis of the role of context in communication. He categorizes culture as being either high-context or low context.In high-context cultures most of the information is in the physical context or is internalized in the people who are a part of the interaction. Very little information is actually coded in the verbal message. Whereas, in low-context cultures, such as German and American culture, most of the information is contained in the verbal message, and very little is embedded in the context or within the participants. In high-context cultures such as those of Japan, Korea and China, people tend to be more aware of their surroundings and their environment and do not rely on verbal communication as their main source of information.In a high-context society, time tends to be polychronic, that is doing several things at the same time, and people spend a lot time in socializing with others so thatinformation does not need to be explicitly stated for it to be understood. Members of such a culture usually have known one another for long time, and there is strong agreement about what is right and wrong. In the high-context Japanese society, there is even an aphorism that directly addresses this issue: He who knows does not speak; he who speaks does not know. Clear verbal communication is often not necessary. Also, members of high-context societies tend to have less physical space between them when communicating than those in low-context societies.Also, as Hall has observed, high-context societies tend to have a strong leader to whom everyone express great submission and respect.In low-context cultures, people tend to be monochronic, that is doing one thing at a time. United States and Germany are two examples of low-context society.In general, it is easier for people to communicate with members from low-context societies, because information about rules are stated very clearly.Now having learned the differences between high-context and low-context communication. (图片12.3-11) A few questions for you to think about. What should you pay attention to when you are dealing with people who come from low-context cultures like the United States or Germany? How about high-context cultures like Japan or South Korea?New words for this part.ambiguous adj.It means open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; For example, this agreement is very ambiguous and open to various interpretations.spatial adj.It means pertaining to or involving or having the nature of space. For example, this graph shows the spatial distribution of black employment and population in South Africa.Overly adv.It means to an excessive degree. For example, employers may become overly cautious about taking on new staff.Condescension nIt means a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient. For example, there was a tinge of condescension in her greeting.Irritate v.It means cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations. For example, another person cannot annoy you or irritate you except you permit him or her to.。