A Cultural Study of the Differences Between Chinese and American Body Languages

For decades of years, scholars at home and abroad have committed themselves to the study of the differences in body communication from the perspective of culture and presented people with plentiful precious accomplishments. Scholars have their own definition of body communication and thus its classification varies from one to another. As to the characteristics and functions of body communication, this thesis employs the methods of comparison to demonstrate the universal and the special characteristics of Chinese and American body languages respectively and macro-functions of the body language from the differ?ent cultures as well. What’s more, it is concluded from the study that in the cultural transfer, it is the concept of cultural value that has great influence on the body behaviors through people’s different thinking patterns and behavioral habits.