【正文】 languagesDeng Yanchang and Liu runqing (1989) provide examples of some of the body languages differences between Chinese and American cultures. These examples can illustrate the diversity of body language between Chinese and American cultures, and show the importance of knowing the specific gestures that go with that culture.ASame Body Language in Two Cultures, but with Different MeaningMeaning in China Body languageMeaning in . Anger, irritation,Frustration, remorseStamping one’s footimpatienceThank you。 mutualPositive feelingsSpeaker or performer Clapping at same timeAudience applaudsapplauding oneself。Improper, immodestCuriosity, sometimessurpriseStaring, gapingconsidered impolite。 makes people embarrassed, selfconsciousDisapproval, hissing“Shhh” Calling for silenceSeldom used。 occasionally adults may pat head of children to show affection。 patting the head of a teenager or adult would cause displeasure and can be insultingPat on headGiving fort, consolation or encouragement。 also shows affectionBDifferent Body Language, Same Meaningmeaningbody language in Chinabody language in .“e here”(beckoning someone to e ) Hand extended toward person, open palm, palm down, with all fingers crooked in a beckoning motionHand extended toward person,closed hand, palm up, with forefinger only moving back and forth (in China, this same gestures would be considered offensive by many)“Shame on you!” (semijoking gesture) Forefinger of one hand extended, tip touches one’sown face several times quickly。 similar to scratching, but with the forefinger straight (usually with the remark“shame on you!”)Forefinger of each hand extended, palms down in front of one’s body。 one forefinger makes several brushing movement over theback of the other forefinger“I’m very full” (after a meal) One or both hands open,lightly patting one’s own stomachHand raised to throat, fingers extended, palm down (often with the remark “I’m full up to here”)CBody Language and Meaning in One Culture。No Equivalent in Other Culture(1)Body LanguageMeaning in .Chewing one’s fingernails Emotional stress, worried, doesn’t know what to doThumbing one’s nose (one thumb on tip of own nose, fingers curled and moving together) Defiance, contemptWagging one’s finger (forefinger of one hand raised, other fingers clasped, theraised forefinger is wagged from side to side) Warning not to do something。 indicating that what the other person is doing is wrongThumb down (arm crooked in front ofbody,closed fist, thumb extended down, one or several downward movements) Rejection of a proposal, idea, person。 nonverbal way of saying a strong “No”(2)Body LanguageMeaning in ChinaTouching or pointing to tip one’s ownnose with raised forefinger “It’s me” “I’m the one” (To Westerners,the gesture would seem slightly funny) Using an open hand to cover one’s mouth while speaking (generally used by older people) To show confidentiality and secrecy。 sometimesno meaningWhen one’s tea is being refilled by thehost or hostess putting one or both hands upright, palm open, beside the cup “Thank you”Upraised forefinger of each hand ing together in front of the body until the two touch Boy and girl in love。 a good match4. ConclusionIn crosscultural munication, people must realize the relationship between nonverbal munication and cultures. And body language is the silent and authentic language that can express one’s inner emotions. It is the most distinctive kind of interaction in nonverbal munication. So body language is dependent on cultures.Moreover, body language has international characters. People who live in different countries and speak different languages can municate through body language. Sometimes body language can be used alone, but sometimes it must be used together with verbal language. If one does not use body language properly, he can not achieve municative purpose well, and he will make others unhappy or make himself embarrassed. Nevertheless, if one can use body language aptly, he can achieve municative purpose well. So it is very important for foreign language learners to know the sense of body language, to learn the cultures of Englishspeaking countries, and to eliminate cultural interference and diminish cultural clash. Body language bears relations with cultures. It is also the carrier of cultures. It varies from culture to culture. Therefore, the aim of studying and researching body language in nonverbal munication is to help foreign language learners and municators exclude the interference of cultural differences. It is hoped that further study will be made in this field because it is of great significance for developing nonverbal municative petence in intercultural munication. ReferencesGouran, D. S. Mastering Communication. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1992.Mehrabian. Kinesics and Context. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1970.Malandro, L. A. amp。 Barker, L. L. Nonverbal Communication. New York: Random House, 1983.Mehrabian, A. Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1981.鄧炎昌, 劉潤清. 語言與文化. 北京: 外語教學(xué)與研究出版社, 1989.胡文仲,畢繼萬. 跨文化非語言交際. 北京: 外語教學(xué)與研究出版社，1999.孟小云譯. 體態(tài)與交際. 北京: 北京語言學(xué)院出版社，1988.許力生. 跨文化交際英語教程. 上海: 上海外語教育出版社, 2006.. Angela Hein Ciccia, Mary Step, and Lyn Turkstra: Nonverbal Communication Theory and Application., 2003108.. Tags: Nonverbal Communication., 2007614.. Gary Imai: Gestures: Body Language and Nonverbal Communication.~tassi/american, 1997312.