Nonverbal communication and culture. Identity, stereotypes and prejudices, страница 9

Accents and Dialects. Accents and dialects are additional components of paralanguage that often influence the communication process. Accent refers only to distinctive pronunciation, whereas dialect refers to grammar and vocabulary as well. The importance of accents and dialects is obvious to those who have found themselves making a judgment about another person based on the person's accent or dialect. Because most people view "standard English" as proper and correct, anyone not using this standard is perceived to be of lower status and/or not speaking correct English.

Space and Distance. The flow and shift of distance between you and the people with whom you interact as much a part of communication experiences as the words you exchange. Notice how you might allow one person to stand very close to you and keep another at a distance. You use space and distance to convey messages. The study of this message system, called proximics, is concerned with such things as: 1) your personal space, 2) seating and 3) furniture arrangement. All three have an influence on intercultural communication.

Personal space. Your personal space, that piece of the university you occupy and call you own, is contained within an invisible boundary surrounding your body. When your space is invaded, you react in a variety of ways: you may back up and retreat, stand your ground as your hands become moist from nervousness, or sometimes even react violently.

Your response is a manifestation not only of your unique personality, but also your cultural background. For example, cultures that stress individualism (England, the United States, Germany, Australia) generally demand more space than do collective cultures and tend to take an active, aggressive stance when their space is violated. This perception and use of space is quite different from the one found in the Mexican and Arab cultures. In Mexico the physical distance between people when engaged in conversation is closer than what is usual north of the border. Typical Arab conversations are also at close range. Closeness cannot be avoided. Africans get physically close to complete strangers and stand even closer when conversing.

Your use of space is directly linked to the value system of your culture. In some Asian cultures, for example, students do not sit close to their teachers or stand near their bosses; the extended distance demonstrates deference and esteem. Extra interpersonal distance is also part of the cultural experience of the people of Scotland and Sweden, for whom it reflects privacy. And in Germany, private space is sacred (Hall & Hall, 1990:91).

Seating.Culture influences even the manner and meaning in seating arrangements. Notice, for example, that Americans, when in groups, tend to talk with those opposite them rather than those seated or standing beside them. This pattern also influences how they select leaders when in groups: in most instances, the person sitting at the head of the table is chosen (or the leader will move directly to the head table position). In America, leaders usually are accustomed to being somewhat removed physically from the rest of the group and consequently choose chairs at the ends of the table.

In China, seating arrangements take on different meanings. The Chinese often experience uneasiness when they face someone directly or sit on opposite sides of a desk or table from someone. It makes them feel as if they are on trial. In China, meetings often take place with people sitting on couches. In Korea, seating arrangements reflect status and role distinctions. In a car, office, or home, the seat at the right is considered the one of honor.

For the Japanese, seating arrangements at any formal or semiformal function are also based on hierarchy. The most important person sits at one end of the rectangular table, with those nearest in rank at the right and left of this senior position. The lowest in class is nearest to the door and at the opposite end of the table from the person with the most authority.