1. Intercultural Communication
Chapter 8
Nonverbal Intercultural Communication

2. Definition of Nonverbal Codes
Nonverbal communication is a multi-channeled process that is usually performed spontaneously
Nonverbal and verbal codes inseparably linked together
Nonverbal communication is a multichanneled process that is usually performed
spontaneously; it typically involves a subtle set of nonlinguistic behaviors that are
often enacted subconsciously.
Although nonverbal and verbal codes are discussed separately, they are
inseparably linked together.

3. Defining Nonverbal Codes
Some characteristics of nonverbal codes
Function as a “silent language”
Continuous and natural
No dictionaries or formal set of rules
Less precise
Some characteristics of nonverbal codes
1. Nonverbal messages function as a “silent language” and impart meanings in
subtle ways.
2. Most nonverbal messages are continuous and natural, and they tend to blur
together.
3. Unlike verbal communication systems, there are no dictionaries or formal sets
of rules to provide a systemic list of the meanings of a culture’s nonverbal
code systems.
4. Nonverbal messages are less precise than verbal codes.

4. The relationship takes a variety of forms.
Used to accent the verbal message
Can compliment the verbal message
Sometimes contradictory
Help to regulate interactions
Serve as a substitute for verbal messages
The relationship of nonverbal communication to verbal communication takes a
variety of forms.
1. Nonverbal messages are often used to accent the verbal message by
emphasizing a particular word or phrase.
2. Nonverbal messages can complement verbal messages by clarifying,
elaborating, explaining, reinforcing, and repeating a verbal message.
3. Nonverbal messages can contradict the verbal message indicating that words
used should not be taken literally or with an opposite meaning.
4. Nonverbal messages help regulate the interaction controlling the back-andforth
sequencing of conversations.
5. Nonverbal messages can serve as a substitute for a verbal channel when
communicators simply use a nonverbal movement to communicate something
instead of using language.

5. Cultural Universals in Nonverbal Communication
Some authors have identified what they refer to as “cultural universals” of nonverbal communication.
Some examples of these nonverbal universals include the shoulder shrug, facial expressions, and the need to be territorial.

6. Cultural Variations in Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication must be interpreted in the context or framework of the culture in which it occurs.
Cultures differ in the specific repertoire of behaviors that are enacted
Cultures have unique sets of display rules
Norms
Intensity
Differences cause discomfort and misinterpretation
Nonverbal communication must be interpreted in the context or framework of the
culture in which it occurs.
1. Cultures differ in the specific repertoire of behaviors that are enacted (e.g.
body positions, postures, vocal intonations, gestures, and spatial
requirements).
2. Cultures have unique sets of display rules that govern when and under what
circumstances particular nonverbal expressions are required, preferred,
permitted, or prohibited.
a. The norms for display rules vary greatly across cultures.
b. Display rules indicate the intensity of the behavioral display that is
acceptable (e.g. showing grief or intense sadness).
c. Differences in display rules can cause discomfort and misinterpretations.

7. Cultural Variations in Nonverbal Communication
Cultures vary in interpretation
Behavior is random
Idiosyncratic interpretations
Shared interpretations
Cultures differ in these aspects
None of this is taught verbally-learned through observation and experience
Cultures vary in the interpretations or meanings that are attributed to particular nonverbal behaviors.
An interpretation that the behavior is random means that it has no
particular meaning to anyone.
An idiosyncratic interpretation suggests that the behaviors are unique to
special individuals or relationships, and they therefore have particular
meanings only to these people.
A shared interpretation indicates that the behavior has a common meaning
and significance, as when a group of people jointly attribute the same
meaning to a particular nonverbal act.
It is important to remember that cultures differ in what they regard as
random, indiosyncratic, and shared.
Nonverbal repertoires, their corresponding display rules, and their preferred
interpretations are not taught verbally, but they are learned through direct
observation and personal experience in a culture.

8. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Body movements (kinesics)
Emblems
Illustrators
Emphasize, explain, and support
Less arbitrary than emblems
Affect displays
Many universally recognized
May be unconscious and unintentional
Regulators
Adapters
Body movements (kinesics)
1. Emblems are nonverbal behaviors that have a direct verbal counterpart (e.g.,
the two-fingered peace symbol is familiar to U.S. Americans).
2. Illustrators are nonverbal behaviors that are directly tied to, or accompany,
the verbal message.
a. Illustrators are used to emphasize, explain, and support a word or phrase.
b. They are less arbitrary than emblems, which makes them more universally
understood than emblems.
3. Affect displays are facial and body movements that show feelings and
emotions.
a. Many affect displays may be universally recognized (e.g., happiness,
sadness, and anger).
b. Affect displays may be unconscious and unintentional.
4. Regulators are nonverbal behaviors that help control the flow and sequencing
of communication.
5. Adaptors are personal body movements that occur as a reaction to an
individual’s physical or psychological state.

9. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Space (proxemics)
Personal space
Awareness of cultural use of space
Intimate, personal, social, public space
Territoriality
Protect and defend
Rage, invasions, and contaminations
Space (proxemics)
1. Cultural differences in the use of personal space exist.
a. One needs to develop an awareness of cultural differences in the use of
space.
b. Cultures differ in their use of intimate, personal, social, and public space.
2. Cultural differences in territoriality exist and can seriously affect
communication.
a. The need to protect and defend a particular spatial area is known as
territoriality, a set of behaviors that people display to show that they
“own” or have the right to control the use of a particular geographical
area.
b. Cultures can differ in the general degree of territoriality that its members
tend to exhibit, the rage of possible places or spaces about which they are
territorial, and typical reactions to invasions or contaminations of their
territory.

10. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Touch (haptic)
Express positive or negative feelings
Cultures differences can lead to difficulties
Differ in amount, where, whom, setting, etc.
Touch is one of the most fundamental parts of the human experience.
1. Touch can express positive and/or negative feelings, indicate playfulness,
establish control and social dominance, and be used to accomplish tasks.
2. Cultural differences in touch can lead to difficulties in intercultural
communication.
3. Cultures can differ in the amount of touching, where people can be touched,
who can touch whom, and in the settings or occasions touch is acceptable.

11. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Time (chronemics)
The value placed on the passage of time
Past-oriented cultures
Present-oriented cultures
Future-oriented cultures
They are implicit rules
Technical time systems
Formal time systems
Informal time systems
Time (chronemics)
1. Time orientation refers to the value or importance placed on the passage of
time by members of a culture.
a. Past-oriented cultures regard previous experiences as most important.
b. Present-oriented cultures regard current experiences as most important.
c. Future-oriented cultures believe that tomorrow or another moment in the
future is most important.
2. Time systems are the implicit cultural rules that are used to arrange sets of
experiences in some meaningful way.
a. Technical time systems refer to the precise, scientific measurement of
time.
b. Formal time systems refer to the ways in which the members of a culture
describe and comprehend units of time.
c. Informal time systems refer to the assumptions cultures make about how
time should be used or experienced.

12. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Time (chronemics)
Informal time systems can be
monochronic or
Polychronic
Because cultures differ in their time orientations and in time systems they use to give order to experiences, misinterpretations often occur.
3. Perhaps the most important aspect of a culture’s informal time system is the
degree to which it is monochronic or polychronic.
a. A monochronic time system means that things should be done one at a
time, and time is segmented into precise, small units.
b. A polychronic time system means that several things are being done at the
same time.
4. Because cultures differ in their time orientations and in time systems they use
to give order to experiences, misinterpretations often occur.

13. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Voice (vocalics)
Can include:
Non-speech sounds
Filler sounds
Pitch
Rate
Rhythm
Volume
Convey meaning beyond words
Voice (vocalics)
1. The many qualities of the voice, in addition to the actual meaning of the
words, form the vocalic nonverbal communication system.
a. They include nonspeech sounds such as belching, laughing, and crying.
b. They also include vocal “filler” sounds such as uh, er, um, and uh-huh.
2. Vocalic qualities include pitch (high to low), rate of talking (fast to slow),
conversational rhythm (smooth to staccato), and volume (loud to soft).
3. Vocalics convey meanings beyond the words that are spoken.

14. Nonverbal Messages in ICC are Multichanneled
Other
Chemical
Dermal
Physical
Artifactual
Other nonverbal code systems are relevant to intercultural communication.
1. Our chemical code system interprets chemical based body functions and
includes one’s natural body odor, tears, sweat, gas, household smells, and
similar phenomena.
2. Our dermal code system interprets short-term changes in skin texture or
sensitivity to physical or psychological reactions, and includes blushing,
blanching, goose flesh, and related experiences.
3. Our physical code system interprets unchanging aspects of the body and
includes weight, body shape, skin color, eye color, and similar features.
4. Our artifactual code system interprets creations that people make, use or wear
and includes clothing, buildings, furnishings, jewelry, lighting, and color
schemes common to members of a culture.

15. Synchrony of Nonverbal Communication Codes
Synchronized behaviors form patterns
They typify an expected response
Subtlety is clearly noticed
Behavior of all parties must match
A. Cultures train their members to synchronize various nonverbal behaviors to form
a response pattern that typifies the expected behaviors in that culture.
B. This synchronization forms a response pattern that typifies the expected behaviors
in that culture.
C. Subtle variations in the response patterns are clearly noticed, even when they
differ by only a few thousandths of a second.
D. Not only must an individual’s many behaviors be coordinated appropriately, they
must also mesh properly with the words and movements of the other interactants.

16. Nonverbal Communication and Intercultural Competence
The rules and norms that govern most nonverbal communication behaviors are both culture-specific and learned unconsciously.
Monitoring one’s emotional reactions to differences in nonverbal behaviors alerts a person to the interpretations he or she is making and therefore to the possibility of alternative meanings.
Nonverbal Communication and Intercultural Competence

17. Nonverbal Communication and Intercultural Competence
A person should observe general tendencies in the nonverbal behavior of culturally different people.
Looking for exceptions to general tendencies observed allows one to recognize that no one individual will fit exactly the cultural generalization formed.
One can practice the ability to observe, evaluate, and behave in effective ways during intercultural encounters.