A Study Of The Differences Between Chinese & American Nonverbal Communication

In daily communication, people usually pay attention to verbal communication, while neglecting the facts that communication also depends on nonverbal codes, and that communication is the combination of verbal and nonverbal systems. Nonverbal cues are one of the main causes for misunderstanding and culture conflict between people of different cultures. With increasing contact between China and America, the study of the differences between Chinese and American nonverbal communication is of great significance. The thesis focuses on the USA of America.Applying relevant theories and research methods of contrastive linguistics, the thesis conducts a synchronic and bidirectional contrastive study of nonverbal communication between China and America. The materials for contrast and analysis are collected from nonverbal codes of daily use and related classic works. The most basic, familiar and important nonverbal codes used in Chinese and American daily communication are objects of the research. The parallel and bidirectional contrastive study is based on five categories of nonverbal communication, namely body language, paralanguage, time language, space language and object language. The thesis provides abundant examples; analyzes typical cases; utilizes tables and statistics to give direct descriptions.On the basis of intercultural communication theories, the thesis combines nonverbal communication study with contrastive research on Chinese and American cultures. It explains and analyzes the social and cultural reasons for the nonverbal differences. In addition, the author puts forward suggestions to contribute to Sino-American intercourse. The paper aims at arousing readers' awareness of the importance of nonverbal communication and their interests in differences between Chinese and American nonverbal communication. Therefore, readers may improve intercultural communicative competence. The thesis is designed to provide guidance for Sino-American intercourse, to help both parties reduce misunderstanding and build a better relationship.