No 20 Body Language 肢体语言
In our interactions with other people, we need to make assessments and inferences from nonverbal components, such as gestures, pose, facial expressions and tone of voice. In other words, they’re more reliable guides for assessing and perceiving one’s internal feelings.
在我们与他人的交流中，我们需要从非语言成分做出评估和推断，例如手势，姿态，面部表情和语调。换句话说，对于评估并理解一个人的内心感受来说，它们是更可靠的指标。
For one thing, some body language is identical around the world. People usually straighten up when feeling powerful. By contrast, they have a tendency to bend and slump when feeling powerless. Lowering chins on chests or staring at the ceiling implies students are distracted and the educators need to intervene by inquiring, calling on or adjusting class activities. Children tend to use fake weep to demonstrate anger or anxiety, so parents should infer what makes them tick and tackle deeper issues at work.
一方面，有些肢体语言在全世界都是相同的。感觉强势时，人们通常会挺直身板；相比之下，人们在感觉弱势时倾向于弯腰垂头地走。放低下巴到胸膛处，或凝视天花板，都意味着学生走神了，教师需通过问询，提问或调整课堂活动的方式来干预。孩子们往往会用假哭来表现愤怒或焦虑，所以父母应该推断出孩子们的真实想法，并解决具有影响的深层问题。
For another, some body language varies apparently or differs slightly from culture to culture. For example, French witnessing the gesture for “OK” may interpret it as meaning zero. In Northeast China, eye contact is barely approved of because it may cause conflict incidents. In Russia, people greet others by kissing cheeks. By comparison, a slight frown of people elsewhere reveal them to be embarrassed and ashamed because they merely favour shaking hands, or bowing from the waist.
另一方面，有些肢体语言在不同文化中又显著变化，或略微不同。例如，看到“OK”手势的法国人可能会将其理解为“零”。在中国东北，不赞成进行目光接触因为它可能会导致冲突事件。在俄国，人们通过亲吻面颊问候他人。相比之下，别的地方的人们的轻微皱眉表明他们是尴尬和羞愧的，因为他们仅仅喜欢握手或弯腰鞠躬。
In conclusion, body language has twin effect on interactions. To break down barriers, you should employ appropriate way to react to strangers’ body language. Besides, read some books clarifying how to distinguish the differences rather than occupy yourself with trial and error. Ultimately, we can get the most out of body language.
总之，肢体语言对交流有着双重影响。为了打破障碍，你需要采用合适的方式回应陌生人的肢体语言。此外，读一些阐明如何辨别差异的书，而不是让自己忙于尝试和犯错。最终，我们才能充分用好肢体语言。