SAKARYA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF EDUCATION Original Research Doi:10.19126/suje.689503 Received: 18.02.2020 Accepted: 12.04.2020 Published: 15.04.2020 April 2020• 10(1) • 187-201 Nonverbal Communication in German-Albanian Cultural Contrast Brikena KADZADEJ* Vjosa HAMİTİ** azar 1* Abstract. This article explores the nonverbal communication by comparing the cultural features of Albanian (in Albania and Kosovo) and German cultures; also comparing the inter-cultural features in Albania and Kosovo, respectively. The human communication is beyond language: nonverbal communication includes all kinds of human behavior that are not strictly linguistic but convey meaning, i.e., a set of behaviors (e.g., gestures) with a specific referential value and a function. We focus on seven of the most important channels of nonverbal communication in a contrastive Albanian-German perspective: proxemics, eye contact, facial expressions, body language, touching, physical appearance, the extra-linguistic field. The field of nonverbal communication is often considered inferior in relation to verbal communication (comprised of language habits, grammar, lexicon, etc.). Although communication between members of two different cultures requires the knowledge of a foreign language, their communication actually begins before any words are uttered. Keywords: Nonverbal Communication, extra-linguistic, Albanian, German, culture * Orcid id: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6293-5299, Prof. Dr., University of Tirana. Faculty of Foreign Languages, Department of German Language, [email protected] ** (Corresponding author) Orcid id: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2916-516X, Prof. Ass. Dr., University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Faculty of Philology, Department of German Language and Literature, [email protected] * Unvan, Kurum, Eposta Kadzadej, B., & Hamiti, V. (2020). Nonverbal Communication in German-Albanian Cultural Contrast. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 10(1), 187-200. doi: https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.689503 Cilt / Volume : * • Sayı / Issue : * • Ay / Month 20** 187 Brikena KADZADEJ, Vjosa HAMİTİ 1. INTRODUCTION In every culture, in addition to the biological conditions, interpersonal relationships are based on language, religion and tradition. Verbal communication of information is supplemented in all these areas visually and emotionally. In the course of communication/conversation, gestures, facial expressions, posture and intonation are often more meaningful than the spoken word itself. A wave of the hand, a smile, a shake of the head or a nod, a sigh or a pause in speech can influence the meaning of an utterance regardless of the sense of the word. This research article examines aspects of nonverbal communication by comparing the cultural features of Albanian (in Albania and Kosovo) and German cultures. The field of nonverbal communication is often considered inferior in relation to verbal communication (comprised of language habits, grammar, lexicon, etc.). Although communication between members of two different cultures requires the knowledge of a foreign language, their communication actually begins before any words are uttered. (for more see Andersen et al., 2002) “One cannot not communicate” is Paul Watzlawick’s most famous maxim. This maxim postulates that communication does not necessarily require words, but that it also involves other means or dimensions. Since even silence can function as a means of communication, in this context there is a difference between active and non-active skills of communication (see Oksaar, 1988, p.26). Communication is a multimodal phenomenon that goes beyond verbal language itself - with its grammatical norms and systems. Some aspects of the outside environment can also say something about a person, their personality and their culture. These aspects are part of the so-called non-verbal communication, which plays a significant role in every kind of interaction. The non-verbal signs can serve to generate and support an interaction by completing, emphasizing and even replacing, denying or questioniong the verbal messages. When strangers meet, the attitude that determines the ensuing course of their relationship is formed even before any of the persons has spoken the first word. Nonverbal communication conveys information about identity, culture, emotions and relationships. According to Ting – Toomey (1999, p.116) nonverbal communication serves: 1. reflecting and managing identities; 2. expressing emotions and attitudes; 3. conversational management; 4. impression formation and attraction. (for more see Ting – Toomey, 1999) A language consists of visible or audible signs. Scholars share nonverbal communication in different groups. According to Ting - Toomey (1999: 116) the following forms form the nonverbal communication: Volume : 10 • Issue :1 • April 2020 188 Nonverbal Communication in German-Albanian Cultural Contrast - Kinesics (facial and bodily movements); - Oculesics (eye contact); - Vocalics/Paralinquistics (e.g., tone of voice, volume); - Proxemics (spatial distance); - Haptics (touch); - Environment (e.g. decor, architecture) ; - Chronemics (time). (for more see Ting – Toomey, 1999) According to some other scholars (Hall, 1959, 1976, 1983; Han, 2004; Erll & Gymnich, 2007; Knapp & Hall, 2002; Richmond & McCroskey, 2004) the nonverbal communication comprises: - Gestures; - Facial expressions; - Eye contact; - Body language, posture; - External appearance (clothing, hairstyle); - Symbolism, e.g. pictograms, use of colours, tattoos. However, it must be stressed that the paralinguistic aspects and body language are the focus of verbal and nonverbal communication. Figure 1. Mindful nonverbal communication: Functions and patterns according to Ting – Toomey (1999, p.116) 189 Sakarya University Journal of Education Brikena KADZADEJ, Vjosa HAMİTİ Successful communication, even within the same cultural circle and the same linguistic community, such as in Albania and Albanian-speaking Kosovo, encounters obstacles. Successful communication between members of two different cultural circles poses even more challenges, since in the vast majority of cases interlocutors cannot avoid the customs which shaped their personality. Therefore, chances for miscommunication between members of two different cultures and linguistic communities are higher. Resistance to interacting with members of other cultures, or even discriminatory behavior towards them, is related to the lack of knowledge of other people’s way of life, their living circumstances, their traditions and rites. Thus prejudices stem from ignorance. „Die nonverbalen Signale bringen in sich somit ein interkulturelles Kommunikationspotential. Der nonverbale Bereich zwischenmenschlicher Interaktion weist einen zwiespältigen Charakter auf. Zum einen unterstützen nonverbale und paraverbale Signale eine Person beim Sprechen. Zum anderen können nonverbale Codes eigenständig als Bedeutungsträger fungieren“ (Erll/Gymnich, 2007, p.110)1 We know and can understand our own culture better by encountering and being familiar with other cultures and then by communicating and reacting in a more competent way, and interculturally, with people from different cultures. Some researchers (e.g., Hall 1959; Vargas 1986) identify speakers of high-contact cultures, such as Arabs, Latin Americans, Greeks, Turks, the French, and Italians, who usually keep small distances among themselves; and low-contact cultures who "stand further apart," like the Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Germans. There has been no research on the Albanian contact culture vis- à-vis the German contact culture, although the two nations have engaged with one- another for a couple of centuries. German-language and Albanian-language speaking areas (primarily in Kosovo) have their own characteristic habits, cultures and communication rules. Thus, it is important to recognize these features and idiosyncrasies in order to avoid miscommunication and rejection by the other culture. 2. METHOD For this article, we have drawn on literature in the field of nonverbal communication. However, highly important for this study has been the sharing of experiences with our own colleagues, as well as our own personal observations on the matter at hand for a number of years. Occasionally, we will make use of examples from the Albanian oral folk 1 Our translation: Nonverbal signals are accompanied by a potential of intercultural communication. The nonverbal field of interaction between people has two sides. On the one hand, nonverbal and paralinguistic signals support a person in his/her speech, and on the other hand, nonverbal codes can themselves carry meaning (Erll & Gymnich, 2007, p.110). Volume : 10 • Issue :1 • April 2020 190 Nonverbal Communication in German-Albanian Cultural Contrast tradition, which continues to be an important part of the Albanian national legacy in the present time. This article discusses seven of the most important channels of nonverbal communication in a contrastive Albanian-German perspective: 1. Proxemics, 2. Eye contact, 3. Facial expressions, 4. Body language, 5. Touching, 6. Physical appearance, 7. The extralinguistic field. These aspects will, in addition, be compared and contrasted in the Kosovan-Albanian perspective. 3. FINDINGS Proxemics The term ‘proxemics’ was coined by Edward T. Hall, and defined as “the study of how individuals unconsciously structure micro space - the distance between men in daily life, the organization of space in houses, buildings and ultimately a layout of towns.” Hall began