Gestures and Cross-cultural Communication 第8页
4 The Correct Use of Gestures
The Correct use of Gestures in the Cross-cultural Communication
Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from different cultural backgrounds endeavor to communicate. All cultures make use of nonverbal communication but its meaning varies across cultures. In one particular country, a gesture may stand for one thing, and mean something else in another culture or country. The relation of cross-cultural communication with deviance is that a sign may be offensive to one in one culture and mean something completely appropriate in another. This is an important field of study because as educators, business employees, or any other form of career, need to understand non-verbal signs and their meanings, so as to avoid offensive conversation, or misleading conversation.
Gesture is of great importance because it’s believed to be a powerful means of cross-cultural communication and sometimes able to convey more genuine feelings than words.[ 《Gesture background》]
Therefore, so as to reduce barriers in communication and avoid misunderstanding then achieve the efficient communication, we should know the correct use of gestures in the cross-cultural communication. The following mentions about how to use the gestures correctly and make good impression.
i.It’s far better to lean forward a little in a relaxed and natural way. Often people will lean back with their hands over their mouth, chin of behind their head in the “thinking” pose. This position gives off sighs of judgment, doubt, and lack of interest from the listener. Since most people do not feel comfortable when they think they are being judged, this leaning-back position serves to prevent the speaker from continuing.
ii.Be the first to extend your hand in greeting. In many cultures the most common form of first contact between two people is a handshake. In nearly every situation, a warm and firm handshake in is a safe and positive way of showing an open and friendly attitude toward the people you meet.[ 《gesture》]
iii.Be yourself to greet people with “power handshakes”. Make sure to communicate with your whole being; your gestures match your words.[ <<how to make good impression>>]
My Views and Suggestions
Psychologists Freud said, "One can not hide personal passion, and his mouth can remain silent, but his gestures would show his attitude."
In a very general sense, we all use gestures consciously or unconsciously, to reinforce an idea or to help describe something. When we say, “That’s an English book”, at the same time we are pointing to the book. If someone asks us the way to the library, we point to the right, adding a little information about it, which will be more clear and concrete. We like to use our hands to indicate the dimensions when someone asks us to describe the size or shape of something.
Each nationality has its own gestures. But since these gestures are mutually incomprehensible, and innocent movement of the hand may well be an unwitting insult. It’s still advisable for both Chinese and foreigners to understand each other’s customs and habits, so that there will be less misunderstandings and conflict in cross-cultural communication. So, here are my suggestions： [ << body language>>]
i.In Terms of National Leadership
The gesture in the national leadership not only can help the leader to explain the problem more powerfully and calmly, but also can help them to light the emotion. However, misunderstanding occurs unconsciously. I remember that one public speaker, who says that, “Ladies and gentlemen. I’m very happy to be here” ---- while looking at their shoes. They don’t look happy. They look angry, frightened or depressed. The audiences always believe what they see over what they hear. They think, “He’s telling me he‘s happy, but he’s not. He’s not being honest”. We should draw a lesson from this matter to use our gesture correctly, so as to avoid national conflict
ii.In Terms of Individual Business
Cultural differences serve as a bridge in the business communication in cross-cultural environment. People in transnational business have to deal with those from different cultural background, which may cause the misunderstanding, sometimes even conflict or may hinder the further cooperation in the business. It is much more important for the businessmen or businesswomen to learn how to use the gestures properly than to learn how to earn a lot of money.
iii.In Terms of School Education
The use of gesture can not only attract the students' attention, but also deepen their impression and imagination. The vivid gestures surely play an active part in improving the students' listening, speaking, reading and writing ability. So teachers should try to teach together with the corresponding gesture, from the beginning to the end.
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