Learning to speak "body language"!
We go on and on learning and sharing the nuances of the spoken language on this forum whether we are learning English or Spanish, but something I have been wanting to see discussed is cultural differences in body language. This can be as important in communicating effectively as well. For instance: I know in Mexico putting your hands in your pockets is impolite. Why? And standing with your hands on your hips is a challenge or hostile. Now that I look back, I have made that mistake in ignorance many times! What about eye contact? Greetings? Goodbyes? Touching between men and women? Personal space? Head nods? I am sure there are many more interesting nuances on the subject. Please enlighten me!
4 Answers
Hello renaerules:
I recently was studying non-verbal communication gestures relative to verbal communication, and how the two combine to form language structure and meaning.
A very excellent book on the subject is "Hand and Mind: What Gestures Reveal about Thought" by David McNeill who is a professor of linguistics and psychology at the University of Chicago.
It is a difficult read, but quite informative.
The ISBN is 0-226-56134-8
You can read some reviews of the book at: Hand and Mind
That's a very good question Renae and I've heard the same. I have a book called "Mie#*@, The Spanish You Weren't Taught In School" by Frances Talvera Berga which touches on the subject (pardon the pun). I must warn you it's true to it's title and can be offensive to some but I find it amusing and informative.
- Honestly, after working with people of such diverse cultures for several years, I can’t really name any incident where a gesture had caused an international incident, well except those individuals that are known at the International Diplomatic Levels (i.e. flying shoes).
- Part of the reason I think each culture is acclimating to a global schema because nowadays everyone has access to internet and current media. Sure, there’s still going to be some retention of culture idiosyncrasies, but I’ve really noticed that many of the cultures tend to mimic that which you can see every day in the news, television and current events such as any of the common web sites and of course, the cinema.
- I think the main thing is that you not only hear what the person is saying, but how there are saying it, and the facial expression is always going to be your biggest clue (especially the eyes and features around them). Sure the rest of the body may give clues, but putting hands in your pocket may just mean someone is forcibly doing so, because they know if they don’t they start waving them around in such nervousness that they draw even more offense to the situation.
So I have two great book ideas...but what about all the people out there who have everyday contact with people with spanish-speaking culture. You probably have picked up body language cues! Or all you natives out there. I bet there is some interesting subject matter out there encompassing spanish-speaking body language. Anyone?
