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学号：070214301 姓名：白文平 Nonverbal Behavior in American Cultures I. Introduction We are constantly communicating in one way or another, even if we say nothing at all. Whereas language seems to be the obvious form of communication, much more information is transmitted through facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact, even physical contact and distance between people conversing. Birdwhistel (1970) claimed that up to 65% of a message’ meaning is communicated through nonverbal clues. For Americans, there are many differences in communicating of nonverbal behavior from those of Chinese. It should be obvious by now that the study of nonverbal behavior and culture in which nonverbal behavior is performed is an important component of the study of Socio-cultural Pragmatics. II. Nonverbal behavior and national culture Culture is national as well as nonverbal behavior. Although much of nonverbal communication is universal, many of our nonverbal actions are touched and altered by culture. Language is a mirror of culture, so is nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal communication covers a large range of subjects. Generally，it focuses on the gestures, eye contact, physical contact , space, laughter and silence. 1. The value system of a nation The key value system of American is the individualism. The source of this value judgment can be traced in the history of America. American is a country with its history of just more than 200 years, and most of the citizens are immigrated into America, which was, at that time, just a desolate and uninhabited wilderness, they had to struggle for life, with no one to depend on. In that case, great importance was attached to the self –dependence and individual success. From generation to generation, the individualism of America has been formed and affects people’ daily life a lot. It could be very interesting to watch a Chinese and an American talking together. The Chinese who is friendly will stand close to his friend, but the American will move