Body language

Body language is an omnipresent phenomenon. On the one hand, we try to ‚read‘ and interpret the body language of others; on the other hand, others do the same to us. In intercultural communication, body language is of particular importance.

What exactly is body language?

– Facial expressions

– Gestures (especially movements of the upper body, e.g. arms)

– Proxemics (How do we keep our distance? How do we move in space?)

– Cabs (orientation of movement, e.g. eye contact)

– Voice (e.g. soft, sonorous, deep)

Ubiquitous phenomenon

All of this is body language. It complements what we say and is always context-dependent. Moreover, body language is omnipresent. In a personal conversation, we pay particular attention to facial expressions. On the phone, we listen to how the other person’s voice sounds. Countless emoticons imitate our body language on smartphones. Body language is therefore of great importance for interpersonal communication.

Functions

Speech scientist Christa Heilmann defines a total of four functions of body language (see Heilmann 2009):

syntactic function: we use gestures and facial expressions to structure what is said, to ensure comprehensibility and intelligibility.
pragmatic function: body language reveals more than words about our mood and feelings. In this way, body language influences our interactions. Body language can arouse emotions, resolve conflicts or intensify them, so that it acts like an amplifier.
semantic function: it points out incongruities of the message level. Body language has a more credible effect on many people. Thus, in everyday life, we always check how something is said (compared to what is said).
Dialogic function: Who talks when? This is the regulatory function concerning the change of speakers within conversations.

Intercultural peculiarities

In intercultural communication there are further peculiarities. Can body language be right or wrong? No, it can at most deviate from a certain expectation. These expectations are culturally shaped. They often correspond to what we are used to. Body language therefore differs greatly from culture to culture (but also within a culture, cf. generation gap and subcultures). In addition, cultures change and new forms emerge (e.g. youthful greetings). In intercultural communication, misunderstandings often occur because we do not know the body language of other cultures.

Dealing with otherness

Furthermore, the evaluation of foreign body language plays an important role. Do we feel disturbed by the otherness? Perhaps. The foreign behavior can also be perceived as wrong. „Is it necessary to speak so loudly?“ „You’re not supposed to hug married women!“ „Why is he eating with his mouth open, and smacking it too?“

What we often forget: Others could be just as irritated by our behavior. What conclusions can we draw from these considerations? A constant reflection of diverse cultural body languages is necessary in order not to become a passive-steered puppet of one’s own culture.

Literature

Argyle, Michael (1996): Body language & communication. The handbook on nonverbal communication. Paderborn: Junfermann.

Galli, Johannes (2008): Body language and communication. Freiburg: Galli.

Heilmann, Christa M. (2009): Understanding and using body language correctly. Munich: Reinhardt.