Chapter 6: Nonverbal

language in
intercultural
communication
From the chapter, students should be able
• to figure out what nonverbal or silent language is
• to find out what nonverbal language includes
• to uncover how nonverbal signals affect
communication
• to be aware of the diverse or different ways
people from different cultures interpret or make
sense of the same nonverbal signals
• to get some ideas regarding how to minimize
blunders in interpreting nonverbal signals.
What is nonverbal or silent language?
It is the sending and receiving messages
through unspoken words.
For instance, to turn down one’s
invitation, people don’t have to utter the
word “No”, in stead they just shake their
head. Alternatively, they can just pause
and say nothing for a while, then the
other person would be more likely to get
the point that this means ‘NO’.
 Different types of silent language
Nonverbal language includes:
• Facial expressions
• Gestures
• Body movements
• Eye contact
• Distance
• Appearance
• Touching
 Different types of silent language

• Voice projection
• Silence
• Pause
• Dress
• Hesitation
• Stammering
• Stuttering
• Stumbling
 Examples of nonverbal signals
• shaking hand or palm pressing
when greeting
• patting on the back, on the
shoulders, or on the heads
• hugging
• kissing
• pushing and shoving
 Examples of nonverbal signals
• clothes as the indicator of
someone’s personalities, social or
economic backgrounds, and
religious groups
• clothes as the indicator of cultural
backgrounds, personal choice,
mood, level of confidence, interest,
age, authority, values or beliefs
 Different ways people from diverse cultures
interpret nonverbal signals
In Brazil, Germany, Russia, and many other
countries around the world, the OK
sign is a very offensive gesture because it is used
to depict a private bodily orifice. The OK sign
actually does mean “okay” in the United States,
however in Japan it means “money,” and it is
commonly used to signify “zero” in France.
Clearly the OK sign isn’t offensive everywhere;
however, it is not OK to use in many parts of the
world, nor does it necessarily mean “okay”!
 Different ways people from diverse cultures interpret
nonverbal signals
The thumbs-up gesture is commonly used in many
cultures to signify a job well done. However, if it is
used in Australia, Greece, or the Middle East —
especially if it is thrust up as a typical hitchhiking
gesture would be — it means essentially “Up
yours!” or “Sit on this!” The thumbs up gesture can
also create some real problems for those who
count on their fingers. In Germany and Hungary,
the upright thumb is used to represent the number
1; however, it represents the number 5 in Japan.
Take heed all you global negotiators: there is a big
difference between 1 and 5 million!
 Different ways people from diverse cultures interpret
nonverbal signals
Curling the index finger with the palm facing up is a
common gesture that people in the United States
use to beckon someone to come closer. However, it
is considered a rude gesture in Slovakia, China, East
Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and
many other parts of the world. It’s also considered
extremely impolite to use this gesture with people.
It is used only to beckon dogs in many Asian
countries — and using it in the Philippines can
actually get you arrested! The appropriate way to
beckon someone in much of Europe, and parts of
Asia, is to face the palm of your hand downward
and move your fingers in a scratching motion.
To avoid misinterpreting nonverbal
signals or offending others, it is
recommended that communicators
should spend some time studying the
nonverbal signals of a particular cultural
group before actually communicating
with them. By so doing, it is believed that
misinterpretation of the those silent
signals could be minimized.