Essay on Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Differences

Nonverbal communication has always played an important role in the entire communication process. It may include gestures, kinesics, haptics and other means, which a person incorporates into the communication process. These acts make the communication process more effective and meaningful. However, nonverbal communication is highly influenced by cultural differences as the context of the culture defines how the message is interpreted. This essay will analyse several types of nonverbal communication such as proxemics, haptics, kinesics, semiotics and paralinguistic. It will also analyse the messages conveyed by these nonverbal communication types in different cultures and their impact on the non-verbal communication process in relative†¦show more content†¦Social status also affects proxemics in different cultures; people of equal status sit close to each other than people of unequal status. Like, in Japan, people of equal rank sit close to each other, and in America, it is contrary. (Bonvillain, 1999) Haptics, which is mode of nonverbal communication, involves communication through touch. Cultural context plays an imperative role in deciphering the nonverbal communication message conveyed. It is noted that people of Mediterranean, Middle eastern and Latin American employ much social touching in the conversation than the people of the North America and Northern Europe imparts less social touching which is limited to the hand shake, shoulder touch, and back slapping. While in some Asian countries like Japan, social touching is usually avoided due to the status and rank of the people. Henley (1977) says that relative power in a relationship is signalled by who touches and who is touched. In Philippines, people enjoy more social touching in conversation. Hand shaking and kiss on the cheek between males is general norm in an Arab culture while in western culture, hand shaking is common in men and kiss on the cheek is common in women. 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