DOCUMENT hESUME

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AUTHOR Safadi, Michaela; Valentine, Carol Ann TITLE Contrastive Analysis cf American and Axab Nonverbal and Paralinguistic Communication. PUB DATE [85] NOTE 36p.; Print is small and marginally legible. PUB TYPE Viewpoints (120)

EDRS PRICE MF01/13CO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Body Language; Comparative Analysis; Contrastive Linguistics; *Cultural Awareness; *Cultural Differences; *Cultural Traits; *Intercultural Communication; Models; *; *Paralinguistics; Speech Communication IDENTIFIERS American (); *; Middle East

ABSTRACT To achieve effective intercultural communication, participants must understand how behavioral differences may lead to miscommunication. Such behL loral differences can be illustrated by Arab and American nonverbal behavior. Individualism is the ideal for the American middle class, whereas Arabs are motivated by public opinion. Yet in the , losing control in public is more excusable than it is in the . Arabs also use a wide range of with subtle physical differences that amount to great semantic variants, and these are generally the same throughout the Middle East. For example, the thumb-forefinger circle with remaining three fingers extended upwards has been borrowed from the West to indicate "OK," for which meaning the signing hand is shaken a couple of times gently. Without the shaking, the is interpreted as an obscene female genital reference. Paralingual aspects of communication are sometimes even more elusive and prone to misunderstanding than gestures. A single tongue click as opposed to a multiple click, for example, is an Arab alternative to an eyebrow raise, head toss, or , all of which may indicate "no." Arabs have also developed the ability to retreat into themselves to accommodate their need for privacy. Americans, on the other hand, create privacy by physically retreating and by closing doors. Other differences can be found in cultural values and notions. It is incumbent on the individual business person to examine personal style and ideas for these cultural implications and biases. (Paradigms that enable analyses of gestural and paralinguistic communication are suggested, and a four-page bibliography and extensive tables comparing Arab and American nonverbal behavior are included.) (HOD)

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CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN AND ARAB NONVERBAL ANDPARALINGUISTIC COMMUNICATION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Othce ot Educafional Research and Improvement "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER IMO MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY 1SThos dOCument has been reproduced as eCeived from the person or orgarnzatoon ongonahng it Michaela Safadi C Minor changes have been made to omprove rePrOductoon ocelot), Carol Ann Valentine Department of English Pants of voew Of opinions sta ted on Ms olOO ment do not necessarily represent officoal OERI oos.to. or porn, TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." Carol Ann Valentine

Department of Communication

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ85287

602-965-5095

Department of Communication' Arizona State University Tempel AZ 05237 2 C1NTRASTIVE ANALYSES OF AMERICAN AND ARAB CONTRAS1IVE ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN AND ARAB NONV/RBAL AND PARALINGUISTIC CONAUNICATION NONVERBAL AND PARALINGUISTIC COMMUNICATION

Abstract This paper will examine varieties of nonverbaland paralingual

aspects of American and Arab communication.Emphasis will be on contra- This paper focuses on Arab and American differencesin nonverbal dictory or incorrect assumptions and signals likelyto be encountered in communication behavior. Nonverbal behaviors, including gestural and a business or social situation.While the paper is written from the paralinguistic behaviors, for Arabs and Americansare compared. Possi- standpoint of an American in Arab society, theacme problems arise in ble contradictory signals and incorrectassumptions are explored. 1 reverse for the Arab living, working or visiting the United :4 States. The While the paper is written from the assumptionthat the American is essence of this paper is the thesis that in interculturalcommunication, in the Arab society, it is suggested that similar problemsarise, only it is essential for the participants to understandwhere behavioral in reverse for an Arab in the United States. differences may lead to miscommunication. The paper concludes with an underscoring thatit is essential for Background of Nonverbal Behavior Studies the participants to understand where behavioraldifferences could Iced During the 1920s-1930s, one emphasis of nonverbalcommunication to miscommunication. studies was on facial expression and how itrevealed psychological

states and feelings.Studies in the 1930s and 1940s were concerned with

movement styles and their relation to severeneuroses. Ten years later,

facial expression again became a popular topiefor study.

The 1950s also saw a new trend with Birdwhistelland others: the

studying of body motion as related to cultural education.The 19605,

too, saw increased interest in cross-cultural studies ofmany types,

inclading comparative analysis of primate and humandevelopment and behavior.

The results of these experiments in nonverbal andintercultural

communication in past decades have be.n appliedto the training of

1 - 2 - - 3 - businesspeople for successful intertational relations (Landis ii, commuticators. Birdwhistell held that an individual's nonverbal 290-294). Exercises have dealt with giftgiving and receiving, greering behaviors were _ulturally determined (Weitz 22). one's co-workers and dealing with them in business and socialsituations But the 1960s and 1970s also saw anthropological (Reardon 12-14). studies by Lorenz, Role-play techniques have beencarefully designed for Goodall and others that returned to observation of the business world, but much less apes in order to for academia (Robinson 30-34; Samovar compare and contrast innate versus learned behavior. Porter 76-85; Hoopes 6 Ventura 48-52). These efforts have been situa- In spite of years of time and tion specific in hopes that fewer progress, confusion continues.No and less expensive faux pas will one hrs unequivocally established either the occur. source or the influence of

nonverbal communication behavior.Nonetheless, the effects are both Birdwhistell said that nonverbal behavior(NVB) conveys 65 percent evident and established. These effects are especially evident in of one's message (Aylesworth 5). Hall claimed that N7Baccounts for 90 intercultural communication. percent (Hall, Dance 4). All accounts of influence variedbut there WRO American vs. Arab Attitudes and Values consistency im the belief that nonverbal communication was a central Hoopes and Ventura remind us that we carryour basic cultural factor in the observation of humanbehavior. assumptions wherever we go. Like NVB, our senses of reality, or how we Earlier, Charles Darwin believed thatexpressive behavior evolved pattern our world, are largely outside consciousness (47). or vanished relative to its value for The American species survival in much the same middle-class sees the "Self" as an entity way as physical structures. apart from the world: individ- However, biologically usefulacts, perhaps ualism is the ideal.Arabs, on the other hand, are motivated by public like the universal smile, laugh,frown and cry, developed into links opinion. Yet in the Arab world, losing control in public with emotiotal experiences of life is core (Weitz 13).Darwin suggested that excusable than in the Western world. studies be made with infants and "Doing" is the preferred means of blind children to determine if such American self expression (Hoopes A Ventura 47). behaviors were indeed innate. An Arab is taught to In 1970, Eibl-Eibesfeldt proved theywere meditate on his "Self" quietly (Reardon 13),.An Arab might be construed (Morris, Manwatchine 12-13; Weitz 13-22). Ekman and Friesen's as an idle daydreamer by an American. experiments showed thst cultural display Westerners consider Arabs primi- rules affect those behaviots tive and superstitious for chair ideals of significantly (Ekman 135-149). contentment, derachment and faith (Patai, Israel 281-282). The Hollywood portrayal of Bedouins The ethological approach tf Darwin,however, lost favor during the appearing magically from behind Sahara dunes has helped heyday of "Behavioralism." foster this Birdwhistell, for instance, in hie studies image (Atiyeh 21). The close stance and deep gaze of Arab communicants of 1963 and 1967, maintainedthere were no nonverbal universal - 4 - - 5 -

can be unsettling for Americans accustomed to greater social distance surrounding native speakers (Laird 14)."Gestures are ... borrowed like and shifting pre (Hall. Hidden Dimension110-122; Henley 152-156). foreign words ..." and American bra is derived fromthe many different Americans, seeking understanding of those differences,should be ethnic groups of the country. One result of immigration is that it is aware of their own cultural values: 1) the sanctity of private property. now difficult to say which gestures are distinctly American (Kendon 2) the desirability of physicalcomfort. 3) the need for tangible 394-409).

measures of success, and 4) a sense of "oughtnese(Hoopes 6 Venture Not all group specific gestures are interchanged, butmany are 46). These notions are integral aspects ofAmerican business and social understood across ethnic lines, i.e., the Italianobscene forearm jerk. standards, practices, and expectations. The American system of logic Gestures are contextually linked, to the situation,and along with the and inferential thinking is builtinto busir 4 contracts. and are interplay of body aad facial movements andutterances, they together expected of others in professional relations.But these underlying convey the speaker's intent.

assumptions are not totally shared by Arabcultures and may lead to But still, it is the receiver's interpretation of those signals confusion or insult by one party for theother. that determines what is communicated (Robinson 50; Samovar,Porter 6 Tbe history of Blacks in the United States, for example, has led to Jain 13-16; Samovar 6 Porter 17-19). the association of dark skin with inferior status and ability. That. At the same time. Arabs have been influenced by foreign culeqtes combined with America's romanticized viewof Arabs. can create uncon- and languages (Morrie, Marwatchins. 54). Moat recently, the extensive scious confusion or aversion for the pe,plewith whom one needs to import of American television and movies has influencedArab cultures. establish a rapport, or this historycan contribute to an unrealisti- Many of the colloquial implications are lost in translationor editing cally romantic view of Arabs. as is the American sense of humor where it differs from the film buy- American gestures, for example, havea largely European background. er's. In general. exposure to American films seems to have little As immigrants arrived, no pressurewas put on them to drop their native influence on others' cultural values (DeSousa 20-22). So foreign gestures aS they learned English (Morris. Gestures xv). However, as viewers are left with caricatures and stereotypes ofAmericans. Adding each ethnic group fought itsway up the social ladder, its people insult to injury. these perceptions are usuallyout of date owing to the adjusted both their spoken and nonverballanguage to the local standards fact that much foreign television is managed by governments thattend to for success (Argyle 86-90). pay as little as possible for such imports and new films andprograms Clearly, then, as one develops the abilityto speak a language, are often beyond budgets. One result is old ideas and old stereotypes unconsciously, the gestures thataccompany speech are absorbed from purveyed through cheap and old films.

7 8 - 6 - - 7 - It will be interesting, however, to watch and see if video piracy of new films and television shows effects changes in thecultural FIGURE 2 ABOUT HERE influence of the United States in the Arab world. Such a turn of events

could update end change images ofAmericans. Throughout the 1970s, psycholinguistic The American traveller measurement techniques were or business person might be the firstor applied to the study of nonverbal communication. inly personal contact with Such was Birdwhis- American culture for, given thiscircum- tell's approach in Kinesics andContext. And in 1976, Zuckerman found stance. some of the Arab people met abroad.Therefore, it is important that people who encoded well spontaneously were able to classify posed for the traveller to beaware of others' preconceived notions about behavior types. Allen continued this type of investigation Americans in order to not take and found offense at false impressions andalso to that deliberate behavior seemed to be aware of stereotypical represent a caricature of the sponta- characteristics presumed by thoseothers neous action: more vigorous, exaggerated, and with more redundancy of (Wolfson 118-123). It is also essential to recognize that isolated from specific actions and sequences of actions (Allen one's cultural milieu, 225-226). Sparhawk one comes to represent that entireculture in the offers the following emit or systemic eyes of other people, especially if perception of emblem formation in personal contact with members of her paper on features of Persian that culture has been limited. gesture (Figure 3) (Kendon 427).

Gestural Language

On another side. Arabs have different perspectives and different FIGURE 3 ABOUT HERE preconceived notions.The study of nonverbal communication has enabled more precise descriptions of this. Sparhawk's depiction presentsa paradigm for the contrastive The study of nonverbal communication has followed, tosome extent. analysis of American and Arab nonverbal the course of linguistics. communication. Arab nonverbal David Efron coined the term "emblems"for behavior is interesting when viewedas emblems. movement patterns with precise meanings (Kendon 401). Argyle discusses Arabs employ a wide range ofgestures with subtle physical differ* Efron's findings (256-258), shown in Figures 1 and 2 below.Efron ences that amount to great semantic variants and compared gestural differences between these are generally the Eastern Jews and Southern Italians same across the Hiddle East. in the United Stites. Sparhawk equates the subtlety ofPersian

gesture variants with verbal minimal pairs. For example, the thumb-

forefinger circle with remaining threefingers extended upwards has been FIGURE 1 ABOUT HERE borrowed from the West to indicate "OK,"for which meaning the signing - 8 - -9-

hand is shaken a couple of time gently.Without the shaking, the According to Sparhawk, there are twenty-one major designator gesture is easily confused with an obscene female genital reference. features for Persian gestures: ten of the hand, five of thearm, five of For the latter meaning, the circle may be roundor squashed. the face and one of the neck. She divides distinct body areas ("tab- An upturned palm with thumb to forefinger tip andthe other three ulas") into fifteen features: fiveseparate areas of the face, the neck, fingers held across the palm indicates "wait"in Israel if the hand is four areas of the arm and four of the trunk of thebody. In addition, still, and "slowly" if the signing hand is shakenfrom the wrist with an there are twenty-eight signation features in Persian:enven regarding up-down motion. Saudis indicate "slowly" by joining the tips of four gestural direction, seven of gestural shape,seven of contact, three of fingers with the thumb, palm upturned and handshaken from the wrist. dynamics and four of relative position or movement of thetwo hands (see The Saudi or Israeli gestures without wristmovement can indicate Figure 3).

smallness to an American (Valentine and Saint Damian 79-84).Arabs, on Sparhawk contrasts the number of hand designator features in the other hand, indicate smallness by opening thefingers slightly and Persian with American (ASL). She counts nineteen designa- sliding the thumb to the base of the forefinger. tor features for the hand which, in ASL, is used to represent speech Vocal rhythm -s the framework within which incoming verbaldata is while Persian subdivides the hand into twenty-one distinct featuresof organized, synthesized and analyzed. Body gestures distinguish form fingers and right-left implications, the gestures of whichare adjuncts words from function words within phonemic clauses by beingconcentrated to speech. ASL is a "main channel system" with more digital dis- oa primary stress points. Studies in the 1970s showed that greater tinctions than the analogical Persian gesture system (Kendon426-435). amounts of gesturing make a speaker's argument more persuasive (Woodall Birdwhistell recorded American gestures whichcan be overlayed on Burgoon 208-210). Sparhawk's system. Birdwhistell's results contrast the importance of Sparhawk enumerates the varieties of Persiangestures and, while the whole body as indicator for Americans with the very different Middle not Arabs, Persiano' gestures do overlap with those of other Middle Eastern concentration on the head and hands. Birdwhistell counted Eastern groups. twenty-five head motions, thirteen eye positions andtwenty poses of the Morris studied Tunisians in Gestures, Greek& and Italians for mouth. He noted fifteen significant body positions and twenty-one of ManwatchinK.Patti studied Palestinians and Arab Jews in Israel Between the arm.

East and West and Lee discussed problems faced bybusinessmen in The The above elaborations show the intricacies and fascination of American in Saudi Arabia. nonverbal communication. They also show that when Americans and Arabs

interact, it is reasonable to expect some misinterpretation.Just as

ii- 12 - 10 -

similar sets sf sounds produce thousands of mutually unintelligible with other utterances or gestures that reinforce them, or do not rein-

languages, similar human needs and strategies are manifested by force them. They are more difficult to observe than body language, snd

different uses of sounds and silences, personal proxemics and movements therefore require explicit analysis. Their frequent inclusion in of the body. discourse migh. lead n non-native speaker to assume they are morphemes;

Figure 4 shows Hell's account of the interplay of receptors in alternately, a foreigner might take offense at the implication of so

proxemic perception.Hall adds still another perspective ani system for much perceived hesitation and uncertainty (Luthy 19-33).

contrasting American and Arab nonverbal communication. Hall's system is '-abs, like Americans, applaud, whistle and cheer ta show approval.

somewhat more broadly based in that it goes well beyond gestures. He Ic United States, whistling is not appropriate behavior in "high proposes thet we look ar various aspects of communication, including culture" situations like theatre, opera or symphony concerts. However,

attitudes.Hell suggests, by doing so, we can improve the likelihood of even in these contexts an American may shout, though he is limited to successful intercultural communication. "bravo," and may stand while applauding.American booing for displea-

sure, which may be accompanied by whistling or stamping, can be ambigu-

FIGURE 4 ABOUT HERE ous to someone unfamiliar with the audience's criteria for the perfor-

mance in question.

Synthes-a of these systems combined with personal observation In the 1970s. Duncan and Fiske rerded conversations in order to resulted in the following chart comparing American and Arab meanings of learn the breakdown of turn-taking behavior, verbal as well as nonverbal gestures. Similarities are also included. Needless to say, the list is (Druckman 48).The following illustration (Figure 6) shows that a beginning and is by no means complete. conversational patterns are affected by b,th number and type of

paralinoal cues (see also Weitz 302-303).

FIGURE 5 ABOUT HERE

FIGURE 6 ABOUT HERE

Paralanguage An Arab might accompany his "yes" with a short "VW" and his

Paralingus1 aspects of communication are sometimes even more "no" head toss with "(MT which may get confused with an American's elusive and prone to misunderstanding than gestures. Grunts and si- use of slightly elongated versions of those sounds for query. One must lences are subtle cultural conventions that may be used in conjunction remember that intonation is different for the respective sounds: the - 12- - 13 -

Arab's use of both has lower pitch and no rising intonation forinquiry. Druckman cites studies by DePaulo that measured speech ecrors, rate Arabs also have an inquiring "iiilc.)". and quantity, and tone of voice as indicators of truthfulne r.. or deceit. 1,8411" with rising intonation indicates that an Americancannot He cites additional experiments publishqd by Constanro, Wicgele and hear, but a lower pitched version is ..mployed by Arabsas a warning or others, which measured pitch, stress and tone as indicators of emotion doubt of truthfulness. Arabs may also use "[hit)" as a warning. and truthfulness (Druckman 44-47). mericans show agreement with "NhAl" and "Nnhm]." Arabssome- Hehrabian investigated Implicit aspects of communication including times use the latter for agreement, but it ismore common uo say "aywah" the use of "ah" sounds, incoherent noises, pauses and speech rate in

or sone other actual word; in fact the pensive American Vire mightbe 1971 and 1972. He discovered there tend to be more errors and a lower taken for a rudeness by Arabs (Luthy 19-22). rate of speech when one is being de,eitful. Various studies by Hahl, Native English speakers vary the intonation of the accident indica- Pope and Siegman and others showed that increased intrusion of "ahs" and tors "oops" and "oh-oh" per the seriousness of the event (Luthy 28-29). noises correlated with speaker stress (Druckman 45-49). Arabs excuse themselves with the word "afwan." The point is that paralinguistic behavior differs in American and "LAW" intersperses English discourse so much it could well besome Arab culture and that we need to le-11 more at ut these differences. word rather than a hesitation signal. The Arab equivalent is "DAN" Silent Language An alternative to the Arab "no," eyebrow raise, head tossor head Arabs generally live in crowds. Even in a large house, the members shake is a eagle tongue click; this mayaccompany any one or com- of the family and their guests sit together in one room. The entire bination of the nonverbal gestures for emphasis or be used alone (see family also usually sleeps together in one room. These people develop Figure 7 list).Americans indicate "too bad" or "shame" with a multiple the ability to retreat into themselves and thus accommodate their need click (the number of clicks being relative to the seriousness ofthe for privacy. Some British do so, too. Silence then indicates one's problem at hand). wish to be left alone. Americans, cn the other hand, become uncomfort- Such subtle extralingual signals pervade all languages andyet they able with "the silent treatment" which is perceived as rudeness; it can are often ignored.Nasality, pitch and length vary the meaning of the cause acute discomfort at mealtimes (Hayakawa 79). utterances although they are generally reinforced by nonverbalcommu- Americans create privacy by physically .etreating .nd by closing nication appropriate in the context. Explicit instruction in spotting doors. When territories in Arab society are either officially public as and interpreting these signals is necessary (Saint Damian and Valen- in icrtitutions, or subject to overlapping ownership as in a home, one's tine). physical isolation creates anxiety or suspicion and is certain to be

breached by others.

15 - 14 - - 15 -

Silence means embarrassment for Americans, it "empty space in Arab associates or contacts, for example, could not respect a female

time." But it "shouts the deepest feelings" of an Arab (Hall, Dance vhose dress or behavior flaunted their conservative standards. It would

99). ba difficult enough for an Arab man to accept a foreign woman as a

Arab Values and Notions As they Impact Communication serious equal or superior.

Arabs are generally conservative and bound to proud traditions of Arabs generally learn by rote.Details are memorized and retained.

thinking and clan strength. They have been resentful of the imposition On the other hand, Americans are taught to infer, to look at the broad

of alien cultures that demeaned their own.Today, exploration of picture and future ramifications, and to improvise. Arabs mi,r to the

foreign social and cultural novelty through mass media and business Koran and to proverbs for examples vhile Americans quote the Bi.le or

contacts is destabilizing some of the forces of ancestral imitation, contemporary situations to exemplify. Americans are encouraged to causing varying degrees of disunity among families and communities hypothesize examples, as well.

throughout the Arab world (Ho -is, Naked Ape 127). Below is an examination of some of the conflicting nocions of

Leuchtenburg explains that America has lived in relative isolrtion lifestyle and values that can cause general miscommunication and ambiv- from the Arab world since the European era of colonization. Further- alence in intercultural relations. more, the Arab presence in the United States has been inconspicuous, fairly recent, and small in numbers (Atiyeh 15-18). FIGURE 7 ABOUT HERE

Americans have retained a romanticized view of Arabs as the previ------ously mentioned film version Bedouins: penniless, primitive and magical.

Recent political and economic events have reversed that fantasy.Nov Conclusion

Americana see the Arab as a super sophisticated millionaire who just This paper has attempted to contrast and, at times, compare Ameri- buys a British castle out of his pocket money when he neerts a room for can and Arab nonverbal and paralingual communication.The paper sug- the night (Atiyeh 24). gests that there are paradigms that enable analyses of gestural and

The other "Arabs" vho come to Americans' notice these days are the paralinguistic communication. Experience in both cultures adds richness

Palestinians, Lebanese and Iranians. Here the images are confusing and to the comparisons. Extensive tables comparing Arab and American the attendant effects on nonverbal communication are unclear. nonverbal behavior are included.

It is incumbent on the individual business person to examine Further it is suggeated that understanding "others" values is personal style and ideas for these cultural implications and biases. central to the understanding of nonverbal communication differences. - 16 - - 17 -

Better understanding of these value differences is currently imperative. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Americans have been able to isolate themselves from other cultures Arnold, William. "Beyond Words."Arizona Statesman, Summer, 1979. in the past, but no longer do Americans want to nor can do without Atiyeh, George N., ed. Arab and American Cultures. Washington. D.C: others. The past immigrant ideal of assimilation led Americans to American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1977. become arrogant about their values and behaviors at the expense of Axtell, Roger E. Do's and Taboos Around the World. Elmsford, NY: The learning who and what they really are and how their culture relates to Benjamin Co., 1985. the other societies of the world. Americans tend to be ignorant of Aylesworth, Thomas G. Understanding Body Talk. New York: Franklin other languages and ways, and worse, too often do not want to learn Watts, 1979. about them.That ignorance is definitely not bliss. Baker, Gwendolyn C. Planning and Organizing for Multicultural Instruc-

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Scherazade, Omar Sherif, oil wells, and long garb need to be replaced Non-native Judgments."Language Learning: A Journal of Applied with the touch of reality. Linguistics 31.1 (1981): 17-30.

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Figure 1. The gestures of East European Jews, rpt. in Michael Argyle, Bodily Communication (New York: International University, 1975) 257. 7

22 23

&arm Irst SomibriX Ifabauf EMBLEM Ara of rant, confined wide radius SImpe angular. aig.zsg. found, elliptkal sinuous 7torn waist to elbow froni shoulder DESIGNATOR ACTION PLACE Plane towards other personat sule of body (Signation) (Tabula) Ptilf ehIj one hand, head two hands Tempe jerky transitions smooth flow Tordiss yokes nr grasps no touching Atm close proximity Part Configurattoo Ditectton ChmensionDym, TN. olgemav Ideographs (showingemblems (i e. with direttion of thought),tined arbitrary. batons (showing meaning). illusttations Size Shape tunPo). .

Repetition Fort Contact Aspects of Emblem Foim

Figure 2. Gesture comparisons (from Efron 1941) rpt. in Michael Argyle, Bodily Communication fo.2 (New York: International University, 1975) 256.

Figure 3. Aspects of emblem form from Carol H. Sparhawk, "Contras- tive Identification Features of Persian Gesture." Nonverbal Com- munication, Interaction and Gesture. Ed. Adam Kendon, Paris: Mouton 1981. 427. - 24 -

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Figure 4. Receptors in proxemic perception from Edward T. Hall, The Hidden Dimension (New York: Doubleday-Anchor Books, 1982) 126-127.

2 7 25 26

Figure 5, continued figure 5. Comparison of American and Arab Meanings of Costumes

Body Part Cestu,e American Meaning Arab Meaning

Body Part Gesture American Meanir9 Arab Mear.i_i Eye Avoiding gaze Hiding something Rude in conver- lion

Head Tose upward gon Lowering gaze Submission, expected be- Submission, expected of tween strangers in a religious persons wIth With eyebrow Ms* Stronger "no" crowd strangers of opposite sex; politeness in Tongue click added Emphatic "ma" children being chas- tized Shake side to side "No" (especially Saudi Arabia) Hiding (as with dark Can be discomforting Rude during conversation glasses) Sway or bob "Maybe," "probably yes"

Hand covers Possibly headache Swearing by one's eyes Tap with fingers, usual,. Thinking Thinking 4side or forehead Nose Thumbing Mockery, teasing Fingers hold forehead Headache or problems Headache or problems or head Tap sick Conspiracy (Britain only) Rub head Headache "Maybe"

Thumb.forefinger to "Co to hell," "It Scratch Thfnkings scratching an Scratching an itch nostrils stinks" itch

Nod up and doim "Yes" "Yes" (Saudi Arabia) Teoth Flick A negative "Nothing" (Tunisia)

Ear Touch or light pull Warning, especially to a Mouth Houth-mouth : child

Melo male Homosexual friends Alright for friends and Pull lobe Complicity (Britain family only)

Female - female Homosexual friends, Friends, family Handcup ear "I can't hear yoo" "I can't hear you" close family

Hela female Sexual, family Sexual, alright for Eye PUll lower lid Realization (Britain Stupidity, doubt close family relations -nly)

Houth.cheek kiss: Star. Rude, a threat Contact with the other's soul Male male Close family, some Family, friends friends fez* Between strangers: Intimacy, sexual and sexual interest nonsexual Female - female Family, friends Family, friends

Cue (conversational) Speaker gazes to and Speaker and listener Hale - female Family, some friends Close family, some close from listener hold gaze friends 27 28

Figure 5, continued Figure 5, continued

5ody Part Cesture American !Segni:4 Arab Meaning Body Part Gesture American Meaning Arab Peening

Mouth Mouth-head kiss Affection or blessing Blessing (usually elders Hand (only right Acceptable by all, ex- Same sex: ritualized; (usually parent to to children) hand to right hand) pected becoming acceptable child) for opposite sex ex- ce7t Saudi Arabia Mouth-hand kiss Male-females admiration Child-elders kissed hand of elder applied to Closed fist, forefinger Indicator Indicator, gun (may add child's heads respect extended horizontally middle finger) display

SW* Sex (especially With thueb up Gun Gun elders): respectful greeting display Fore- and middle- Two Two fingers apart Smile (types vary, can Acknowledgement, sexual Acknowledgement, sexual involve gaze behavior invitation invitation Fist with vertical V-victorvs V-victorys as well) fore- middle finger British variants, Creeks a mild form of extension, fingers palm to actor is an the moutza ("GO to apart obscene gesture, hell") Face Chin flick Disinterest, "Get lost" Palm to observer is V-victory Cheek strokes two "ill," "thin" fingers stroked Above gesture with V Obscenity verticely enclosing the nose

Hand covers "Fool" Upward flick of wrist "Nothing," * dismissal

Upward turn of wrist, "I don't know." "I don't know" Arm Forearm Jerk Obscenity Strength (the gesture holding palms open involves more of grasp than a jerk) Upward toss of forearm Emphatic dismissal

Clap then slid. 'eft Obscenity Downward turn of palm Secret; "Follow pe" hand down right arm

Palm down, held hori- "wait" "Wait" grasp Strength zontally

Exposure Irrelevant Improper for woman Hand to genitals in pub- Obscenity Irrelevant, scratching lic (male)

Hand left vs. right Left hand "unclean" Horizontal curved palm "Give" "Clve," "Come,. prayer up, fingers together indication Fist with thumb up "OK" HOKII

Above gesture but tensed "I'll strangle you" Dwoeb between forefinger Obscenity Obscenity and jiggled and middle finger

Flat, fingers together Indicator, pointer Tooth between strangers Cantrally taboo Irrelevant in public crowd

31 30 29 30

Figure 5, continued Figure 5, continued

Body Part Cesture American Meaning Arab Meaning Body Part Gesture American Meaning trab Meaning

Hand Verticel, polo out, "Stop" "No," "stop" Hesrt Hand to heart Pledge of alleglence, Sincerity; acceptable fingers together sincerity slternative to male- female hendshake Horns: forefinger-pinky Cuckhold Cuckhold (directed down extension possibly protection Orifices Cleaning, especielly Taboo in public Irrelevant from the ) with fingers

Biddle finger extended Cuckhold (at least in Body Bump into in public Requires verbal spology Usually apologize; in from palm-down fist Saudi Arable) Israel: repair damage if dorm but no apology Middle finger extended Obscenity (palm-up fist) Obscenity (palm up and necessary open, finger extended

sbove) Legs, feetCross legs Irrelevant Taboo: Involves showing males: knee-ankle others the sole of the Beckon Palm up (pilot down Pelm down (palm up used (U.S.), legs to- foot; feet should face implies secrecy or more in Saudi Arabia) gether (Britain) away from others urgency females: ususlly legs together acknowledgement Palm to observer Palm to observer Exposure of legs Irrelevant for males and Improper for all adults; Vertical, palm out, "Stop" "Stop," "no" (Creek: females modern women wear fingers apart moutze: an insult) skirts below the knee

Thumb-forefinger circle, "OK" (possibly with "OK"; obscenity (circle 3 fingers extended lateral tongue click) may be squashed); "She upwards, palm down is beautiful" (signing hand is shsken)

Palm up, horizontsl, Smallness Oust to base of fere- finger

Pursed palm up, hand Possibly "Give a little "Slowly" (Seudi Arabia); still bit" with left hand: "Son of a whore"

Semi-purse (thumb-fore- "A little bit" "Wait" (Israel) finger) (Israelis are not as adamant about right vs left hand es Arabs)

As shove, bend shaken "Slowly" slowly

Crossed fingers For good luck

Fingertip kiss Prsise Praise

33 32 - 31 -

HYPOTHESIZED SIGNALS USED IN CONVERSATION BY THE SPEAKER AND AUDITOR

Signal Constituent cues Effect in Conversation Pattern

Speaker turn Intonation-marked Auditor may attempt to take clause turn Sociocentric sequence Grammatical completeness Paralinguistic drawl Decrease in pitch and/or loudness on sociocentric sequence End of gesticulation

Speaker Gesticulation Speaker suppresses auditor's gesticulation Tensed hand position attempts to take turn Speaker state Turning head away New turn begins from partner Begin gesticulation Speaker within turn Grammatical Auditor may respond in back completeness channel; speaker retains turn Turning head toward auditor Between.unit Five different types. Auditor provides feedback; auditor back channel both audible and speaker retains turn visible Early auditor back Same as between-unit Auditor provides feedback; channel auditor back channel speaker retains turn Speaker Turning head away New within.turn unit begins continuation from auditor Source: From S. D. Duncan, Jr.. and D. W. Fiske, "Dynamic Patterning in Conversation," American Scientist, 1979, vol. 67, p. 94. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

Figure 6. Turn-taking signals from Daniel Druckman, Richard M. Rozelle and James C. Baxter, Nonverbal Communication: Survey, Theory, and Research (Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage, 1982) 67.

3 4 - 32 - 33

Figure 7, continued

Figure 7. Conflicting Attitudes and Perceptions logic American Arab of East and West Family Nuclear family and individual re- Extended family and community alle- sponsibility. giance may outweigh one's personal Topic American Arab interests.

Time Adherence to schedules is Important. Involvement with people and trans- Ideals be Individualistic. Ideals: Obey elders and help main- actions is important. tain group harmony.

Tangibles time can be spent, wasted, Time is merely a point of reference. Democracy Fairness and equality are the Family and community leaders dic- saved, etc. ideals b,t there is implicit dis- tate; there is explicit discrimina- crimination in public and private tion in public and private spheres. "Later0 has numerical implication. "Cod's will" controls the sequencing spheres. of events so one can plan but not promise to keep appointments; no Religion Ritualized and institutionalized, An integral aspect of life; a spir- point to long-range planning. generally apart from economic and itual state leads to the "true technical concerns. reality." Anni ies are significant as Anniversaries other than holidays markers of supposed Immediate and saints' days are irrelevant usu- Aesthetics Technical advancement and complex- All work should be done carefully change. ally. ity are attractive. end be pleasing to sea.

One expects things mill happen Words may substitute for action es- Space Private physical space is Wes. Privacy is found within oneself; fast once one makes up his/her pecially if the action would be sary in public as well as In cOmmunal space is for all to share; mind to act; me ignore the pat- violent. private; silence in discourse is silence indicates one's wish to be, terns being woven by our actions, perceived as emptiness. In effect, alone. yet we do have the proverb, "Ac- tions speak louder than words." Labor Emphasis is on this-world achieve- One works for one's maintenance; It ment, "doing," busyness is pre- is not necessary to overwork; work Nonochronics involvement of people Polychronic: multiple involvements ferred. is a necessary burdsn. with one thing at a time. simultaneously are the rule. The worker is a cog in the machin- The worker is an artisan who should First come, first served. People are served by order or rank ery of the system. exercise aesthetic judgement. and status, or by pressure to be served first, e.g., at a ticket Entertainment Difference and uniqueness when a Generally related to religion. Poet- window. new mode, or a remake of an old ry and music are individualized but production for a new audience era within traditional modes. Films tend "He first." Family and community first. practice; individualization is not towerd soap opera types and histori essential. cal drama. Activities aro coordinated, sched- Natters ere handled as they arise uled; priorities are judged; over- even If one overlaps onto another. Sports Everyone should play for fun, in- Children and youth play, but sports lapping onto another's llotted cluding men and women together. are considered more appropriate for time Is discourteous. boys.

American history is about 500 History goes beck thousands of Technology Reliance on mechanicel devices is Nan should be self-reliant. years old, dates are known; &novel years; dates and time are unspec- the preferred norm. edge of specific dates of major ified and genetalized. events is considered important. Aggression Verbal aggression implies a degree Verbal aggression, e.g., flamboyant of violent action will follow. rhetoric, can serve to diffuse pas- "A-culture", the past remains im- One does not speak of one's former sions and prevent physical violence. portant, e.g., titles for the mate although reincarnation Is be- former: ex-mife, retiree, widower. lieved in, and people commonly dis- cuss their 'former lives'.

Hovelty is good. Old and traditional are good. Major sources, R. Petal, Israel Between East and West; E.1. Hall, the Hidden Dimension; and K. Reardon, International Business Gift Cluing Customs. Time is linear: cause and effect; Events ere sequential, e.g., mar- relation of events. riage is arranged by the family and all alum* love will follow.

Tire lapse between word and action Words as wishes or intentions can leads to assumption no sction will substitute for actions. follow.

Ethos, outlook Nostalgia for the past is inconsis- Nostalgia for a glorious pest, tent; this-world achievement is the fatalism about the future: the "Will responsibility of the individual. of God" controls all.

Responsibility of one to himself Other directed, public opiniOn de- and his own interest*. termines one's "face."

31i 35