Language and Nonverbal Behavior in Culture 文化中的语言和非语言行为

Language and Nonverbal Behavior in Culture Key words: language, culture, nonverbal behavior

Culture and language are intertwined and shape each other. Language is a product of the culture, as any other, but it also plays a distinct role. Members of the culture have created the language to carry out all their cultural practices, to identify and organize all their cultural products, and to name the underlying cultural perspectives in all the various communities that comprise their culture. The words of the language, its expressions, structures, sounds, and scripts reflect the culture, just as the cultural products and practices reflect the language.

Language reflects the environment in which we live. We label the things that are around us. For example, in the Amazon area snow is not a part of the environment; therefore, people in that region do not have a word for snow. In addition to the environment, language reflects cultural values. For example, the Navajo do not have a word for late. Time does not play a role in Navajo life.

Cultural literacy is necessary to understand the language being used. If we select language without being aware of the cultural implications, we may at best not communicate well and at worst send the wrong message. For example, for Americans tomorrow means midnight to midnight, a very precise time period. To Mexicans, manana(Spanish)means in the future, soon. A Mexican businessman speaking with an American may

use the word tomorrow but not be aware of or not intend the precise meaning of the word. Communication across cultures and languages is difficult and full of hurdles and pitfalls. However, in most cases the problem is not the language but different intonation patterns and other body languages.

While we communicate with more than the words we speak. Words are only one part of communication. Nonverbal behavior has played an important role in the process of cross-cultural communication. For example, the ways of greeting in different countries reflect their own cultural characteristics. In Japan, people bow. Europeans and Americans embrace and kiss. Latin Americans raise their hats in salute.

Being used in a wide range, body language is a keynote of nonverbal behavior and shaped by culture. Consequently, the Nonverbal behavior is regarded as a synonym for the body language; as a matter of fact, its scope has far exceeded body language. The nonverbal behavior involves the following interrelated elements: facial expressions, the quality of a voice, the messages our bodies send out, eye contact, touching behavior, physical characteristics, dress, the taste of perfume, even the decoration, light and color of the room, time and space concept.

Due to differences of cultures, nonverbal behaviors have different meanings. In the process of cross-cultural communication, there are different interpretations to nonverbal behavior in different cultures. It is

inevitable to produce misunderstandings. Say, for example, An American who travelled in Thailand was taken pictures when he inadvertently sat down to rest on the head of a statue of Buddha in the temple. As the result, he was deported.

Cross-cultural communication has deep cultural roots. We should learn to understand and be lenient with differences of cultures.