Hofstede Y. Cultures Consequences. Sage, 1984

№ 5. Nonverbal Communication Issues

Nonverbal elements of cultural communication play an important role in understanding intercultural communication. We shall discuss two forms of communication beyond speech. The first include facial expression, personal space, eye contact, use of time and conversational silence. A second aspect includes the cultural spaces that we occupy and negotiate. Although language is effective and efficient at communicating explicit information and the content of messages, nonverbal communication conveys relational messages: how we really feel about the person and so on. Nonverbal behavior also communicates status and power. Nonverbal behavior also communicates deception.

Nonverbal behaviors can reinforce, substitute for or contradict verbal behaviors.

Proxemics is the study of how people use personal space or the “bubble” that is around us. Hall distinguished contact cultures from noncontact cultures.

Eye contact often is included in proxemics because it regulates interpersonal distance. Direct eye contact shortens the distance between two people, whereas less eye contact increases the distance.

Facial expression. People may be able to recognize and identify six emotions. They can be recognized and identified universally.