The Nonverbal Language In Cross-cultural Communication And Its Application In Business Etiquette

In the process of globalization, people from different cultures are closely connected together, especially in economic field. As for Chinese people, they have to communicate with people from different cultures more frequently since China's access to WTO. However, misunderstanding of cultural differences in nonverbal communication is a serious barrier to intercultural communication.In this thesis, the writer first did some comprehensive study on nonverbal communication, including its definiton, features, functions, classifications and the historical studies done in this field. From different perspectives, many researchers gave their own definitons and classifications about nonverbal communication. Most classifications divide nonverbal messages into two comprehensive categories: one category belongs to those that are primarily produced by the body (appearance, movement, facial expressions, eye contact, touch, smell, etc); and the other category belongs to those that the individual combines with the setting (space, time, and silence). The features of nonverbal communication are: full of meaning, cultural relativity, ambiguity, non-structure and continuity; its functions are: repeating, complementing, subsituting, regulating, contradicting and accenting. Second, the writer introduced the relationship of nonverbal language and culture, Nonverbal communication is directly linked to culture, culture influences nonverbal communication and nonverbal behaviors reflect culture.Studies on nonverbal communication abroad can be traced back to 1960s, with numerous literature works and related empirical researches. While in China, the study of nonverbal communication started in 1980s, with Hu Wenzhong, Bi Jiwan and Yang Ping as the pioneer scholars. However, the domestic studies are mainly theoretical ones, the writer conducts a further study on nonverbal communication in business etiquette which is a very important part in international culture communication.Intercultural business heightens one's focus on interaction. Going global causes one to focus more on the process of business. Effective personal interaction becomes a major factor in accomplishing objectives. Business etiquette is very crutial in conducting intercultural business. This thesis gives a clear definition to business etiquette and systematically explains its features and funtions.Business etiquette, can be defined as behavior norms that should be abided by business people in their activities. Its features are normative, qualificative, operable, inheritable and changeable. The four functions are explained according to two major parts, one is that it helps to improve people themselves and the other is that it helps to build our society. Also the writer focused on how nonverbal communication is applied in business etiquette on business image, business conversation, business interaction and social entertainment.