A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Nonverbal Communication between China and the United States

A comparative study of the differences in nonverbal communication between China and the United States, based on the theory of high and low context, put forward by Edward T. Hall, in the light of the cultural difference. The paper will also discuss and compare the main nonverbal features of the two cultures, such as facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures, body language, and paralanguage, and conclude that the Chinese culture is more inclined to be subtle, emotionally restrained, and socially restrained, while the American culture is more inclined to be emotional, individualistic, and direct. Non-verbal communication is not a supplementary channel to verbal language; it is a powerful channel, which not only embodies cultural values, social expectations, and individual intentions, but also is the most important channel for international communication. Non-verbal communication is very important in all aspects of life, such as in business, education, and daily life. These different ways of non-verbal communication not only determine the relationship between people, but also often cause misunderstandings between different cultures. Thus, in order to communicate effectively with other people, we must first have a deep understanding of the cultural norms and nonverbal signals of other people.