The Body Language of Culture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol7.iss8.1639Abstract
Body language is an element of our lives that is inextricably incorporated into all spheres of human interactions and functioning. It may happen that the same gesture in diverse cultures may have a completely different meaning so researchers from all over the world are recommending to gain as much insight into the concept of nonverbal communication as possible so as not to miss out on certain critical elements that could expose a person to unwanted circumstances. The current article dwells on the importance of learning the essentials of body language and then switches to reviewing the key elements of nonverbal communication such as handshakes, hand gestures, eye contact, head movements, physical contact, and sitting position. After a thorough overview of the key elements of body language, the author discusses the most interesting ways of learning body language. The paper is closed by an in-depth conclusion reiterating the importance of nonverbal communication and its role for the development of human community.
Downloads
References
Ang, S., & Van Dyne, L. (2015). Conceptualization of cultural intelligence: Definition, distinctiveness, and nomological network. In Handbook of Cultural Intelligence (pp. 21-33). New York, NY: Routledge.
Argyle, M. (2013). Bodily communication. New York, NY: Routledge.
Berger, A. A. (2016). Interpersonal communication. In Messages (pp. 100-117). London, UK: Routledge.
Birdwhistell, R. L. (2010). Kinesics and context: Essays on body motion communication. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Bond, A. H. (2012). Michelle Obama, a biography. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Bonvillain, N. (2019). Language, culture, and communication: The meaning of messages. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. New York, NY: Routledge.
Dingemanse, M., & Floyd, S. (2014). Conversation across cultures. In Cambridge Handbook of Linguistic Anthropology (pp. 447-480). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Fiske, J. (2010). Introduction to communication studies. London, UK: Routledge.
Gordon, M. R., & Trainor, B. E. (2012). The endgame: The inside story of the struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama. New York, NY: Pantheon.
Huff, K. C., Song, P., & Gresch, E. B. (2014). Cultural intelligence, personality, and cross-cultural adjustment: A study of expatriates in Japan. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 38, 151-157.
Jacobson, G. C. (2010). George W. Bush, the Iraq War, and the Election of Barack Obama. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 40(2), 207-224.
Knapp, M. L., Hall, J. A., & Horgan, T. G. (2013). Nonverbal communication in human interaction. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.
Kuhnke, E. (2012). Body language for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Lewis, H. (2012). Body language: A guide for professionals. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India.
Lewis, R. (2010). When cultures collide. London, UK: Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Matsumoto, D., & Hwang, H. S. (2013). Body and gestures (pp. 75-96). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Mehrabian, A. (2017). Nonverbal communication. New York, NY: Routledge.
Penbek, S., Sahin, D. Y., & Cerit, A. G. (2012). Intercultural communication competence: A study about the intercultural sensitivity of university students based on their education and international experiences. International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 11(2), 232.
Ruthrof, H. (2015). The body in language. London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing.
Schenker, T. (2012). Intercultural competence and cultural learning through telecollaboration. CALICO Journal, 29(3), 449-470.
Segerstrale, U., & Molnar, P. (2018). Nonverbal communication: Where nature meets culture. New York, NY: Routledge.
Stacks, D. W., & Salwen, M. B. (2014). An integrated approach to communication theory and research. New York, NY: Routledge.
Surkamp, C. (2014). Non-verbal communication: Why we need it in foreign language teaching and how we can foster it with drama activities. Scenario, 2014(02), 12-27.
Thomas, J., & McDonagh, D. (2013). Shared language: Towards more effective communication. The Australasian Medical Journal, 6(1), 46.
Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T. (2018). Communicating across cultures. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2019 Filiz Akkilinc Resat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyrights for articles published in IJIER journals are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal/publisher is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the author's responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author for more visit Copyright & License.
How to Cite
