Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is hugely important in any interaction with others; its importance is multiplied across cultures. This is why we tend to look for nonverbal cues when verbal messages are unclear or ambiguous. In this module, you are going to find out how nonverbal communication has been defined. We move our bodies, make facial expressions, and use a tone of voice to indicate what's on our minds or as an indication of our emotions. Sometimes, in a particular situation, nonverbal expression might be the appropriate way to convey our real thought.
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will
Understand the definition of nonverbal communication.
Be able to define such terms as kinesics, proxemics, paralanguage, and chronemics.
Understand the structure of nonverbal communication.
Know some important means of nonverbal communication across cultures.
Let's get started with this story"Why Point at Me with Your Index Finger".
I am doing my semester abroad as an exchange student in China in 2019.Though I made this decision myself, I doubted whether my decision would turn out to be right as I have never gone to any other places beyond Europe. What surprised me most is that I got used to this country faster than I was expecting. Even though I had some culture shocks at first, like seeing people spitting everywhere, everyone pushing each other in the metro, or citizens using their umbrellas under the sun. At the very beginning, I was exhausted physically and mentally at the end of the day as it required a lot of energy for me to deal with the language barrier, vehicles driving on the pavement and often times very close to the large crowds that are everywhere, and people staring at you, and so on. Day after day, as time went on, I adapted and became used to my new life abroad.
Now that my study abroad program in China is over, I feel like I enjoyed my unbelievable and fascinating experiences, and I love Chinese food and culture, and also have made more Chinese friends. However, I still don't understand why Chinese females walk down the street or on campus arm in arm.Personally, what I can't tolerate is that Chinese teachers always point at me with their index fingers and ask me for my opinions or views in class, for which I feel uncomfortable or even offended because in Germany it's rude to point at people with index fingers.
Now I am happy and I will be back home soon. I miss China and soon I will be free from this culture shock. I would be free from my suffering too.
Questions for intercultural understanding. Check your comprehension by choosing A, B, C, and / or D. You can choose more than one choice for the appropriate answer.
What is nonverbal communication?
Read and discuss
How nonverbal communication matters? Watch the video:
http://www.iqiyi.com/w_19rvawvwcl.html?t=1521291204242
