1.
Nonverbal Communication
Cross Cultural Understanding
Rizki Wahyu Indriani
Aulia Novi Hapsari
Asty Asmarani Putri
Source : Beyond Language ; Intercultural Communication for
English as a Second Language by Deena R. Levine and
Mara B. Adelman

2.
Language
emphasized
Verbal
(Spoken)
Written
Nonverbal

3.
Nonverbal
• Nonverbal is communication that takes place
without words.
• Some types, people express more nonverbally
than verbally.
• Drawal continue to convey emotional
meaning.

4.
Nonverbal
• Example :
A : What’s wrong?
B : (I’m ok)
just answer by nonverbally sign like the
picture

5.
Nonverbal
• One study showed that 93% of the message
was transmitted by tone of voice & facial
expression whereas only 7% was transmitted
by words.
• we express 5 our emotions and attitudes more
nonverbally than verbally.

6.
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal
Communication
• Nonverbal communication expresses meaning or
feeling without words, such as happiness, fear, sadness
and etc.

7.
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal
Communication
• Different nonverbal pattern across cultures
can make confusion for foreigners.
• For example, expression varies in feelings of
friendship….

8.
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal
Communication
• Example :
Men embrace each other
Arabic culture
Women hold hand each other
Chinese culture

9.
Cultural Differences in Nonverbal
Communication
What is acceptable in one culture may be
completely unacceptable in another. In order to
correctly interpret another culture’s style of
communication, it’s necessary to study nonverbal
communication.

10.
Gesture
Hands can form shapes that convey many meanings:
can be expressed nonverbally using only hands. For
examples:
“That’s expensive:

11.
“ come here “

12.
“ Go away “

13.
“ It’s OK “

14.
Facial Expression
• Carry meaning determined by context and
relationship.
For instance, “SMILE”
• A smile may show affection, convey
politeness, or disguise true feelings.
• Pain is conveyed by a grimace, which also
signifies disgust or disapproval surprise, shock
or disbelief can be shown by raising the
eyebrows.

15.
Facial Expression
• People from certain ethnic backgrounds in
United States may use their hands, bodies,
and faces more than other Americans. There
are no fixed rules, and some people can be
“read like a book” others are difficult to read.

16.
To show
Intimacy
Create Communication
Barrier
Eye Contact
To show
Attention
To show
Influence

17.
As with facial expression,
there are no specific rules
governing eye behavior except 5
that it is considered rude to stare,
especially at strangers. It is,
however, common for two
strangers to walk toward each
other, make eye contact, smile
and perhaps even say “Hi”. The
strangers may immediately look
away and forget that they even
had any contact.

18.
In a conversation
too little eye contact
may be seen negatively
because it conveys lack
of interest. Inattention,
or even mistrust.

19.
Japanes
e
Space
Latin
American
s
Arabs
stand
farther
apart
stand
closer

20.
For Americans,
distance in social
conversation is about
an arm’s length to four
feet. Less space in the
American culture may
be associated with
greater intimacy or
aggressive behavior.

21.
The common practice of saying “excuse me” or
“pardon me” for the slightest accidental touching 5
of another person reveals an American attitude
upon by someone, he or she may feel acceptable
and desirable, Americans may be perceived as cold
and distant.

22.
Conclusion
Culture does not always determine the message
that our body movements convey. Contexts,
personalities, and relationship also influence them.
Therefore, no two people in any one society have the
same nonverbal behavior. However, like verbal
language, nonverbal 5 communication cannot be
completely separated from culture. Whether, we
emphasize differences or similarities, the “silent
language” is much louder then it first appears.