The Importance of Body language in Intercultural Communication by Fatma ÖZÜORÇUN

dergipark.ulakbim.gov.tr/euljss/article/download/5000070664/5000065197Journal Resume
English for Academic Purpose II

The Importance of Body language in Intercultural Communications

No matter where you are in the world, communication is important. But communicating across cultures can be pretty hard. Cultures actually have some very different ways of communicating. So, we need to learn how to communicate in someone else’s culture. I think that culture is fun. We will study about other cultures. Few experiences will make we grow as a person more than learning the values, habits and way of life in a culture that is different from ours.The journal explain about information on what body language is and to state the importance of it in intercultural communications. People can have serious problems when interpreting body movements and gestures of people who belong to different cultures as they might not be aware of the fact that they have different meanings in intercultural situations. Body language can be a funny thing. Depending on where you are in the world, certain gestures can either mean you are making a new mate, or landing yourself in hot water. Body language is a means of communication which includes body movements of the head, eyes, neck, hands, arm, feet or other parts of the body to reflect expressions. Gestures reflect and interact with cultural, linguistic, cognitive, and more general aspects of communication, showing systematic variation across a range of measures in each of these domains.

But in this journal I more interest in the “Hand Gestures”. Everyone “talks” with their hands at least sometimes. Some people’s hand-talking or gesturing matches their message well. Hand gestures are a great way of reinforcing what you’re saying, but caution, as they may mean different things in different cultures.

Here is a guide to what means what and where :

 

    

The Okay

In Australia, USA, UK and Canada means that indicates satisfaction.

Brazil, if the okay sign is turned upside down it is considered a rude gestures, equivalent to the one finger salute.

The Thumbs Up

Australia, USA, UK, Canada and Russia means that a sign of approval.

Latin America, West Africa, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, in other parts of the world, this is seen as an ‘up yours’.

The Come Over

Australia, USA, UK and Canada, the gesture is used to motion somebody to come over.

Philippines, considered highly offensive when motioned to another person, as this gesture is reserved for dogs.

So that, it is very important to know and understand that every culture is unique and has its own values, customs, and characteristics. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations can be minimized when both sides are aware of the fact that not every behavior is appropriate or conveys the same message in every culture.