Abstract:Body language plays an important role in intercultural communication. Each movement of a person can express one’s emotions and attitudes. Body language is different in different countries with intercultural view, however, it has the same purpose that it helps people communicate in an effective way. People from different cultures always use different nonverbal means of communication, conveying non-verbal information which plays a necessary role in international business. In intercultural communication, if both parts can’t be deeply in the same cultural background, it will be more likely to create misunderstandings which cause failure in communication. Therefore, the negotiators should have strong cultural consciousness and get familiar with many different forms of non-verbal communication so as to understand each other well, observe negotiation opponent, and use nonverbal expression more effectively.

This paper discusses the types of body language , its important functions, and the important role body language plays in international business negotiations. Different countries have difference in posture, facial expressions, gestures and body space (distance). This paper also expounds the importance of non-verbal communication. The discussion on body language in intercultural communication helps people reduce or avoid misunderstanding in cross-cultural communication because of the differences of body language under different culture background. 

Key words: body language; intercultural communication;international business; negotiation

中文摘要:体态语在跨文化交际中起着不可或缺的作用。一个人不同的行为动作表达着不同的情感和观点。在不同的文化背景下以及在不同的国家里，体态语不尽相同。然而，体态语都有一个共同的目标，那就是帮助人们有效地交际。不同文化的人会用不同的非语言交际，非语言交际传递着不同的信息，这些信息在国际商务中起着非常重要的作用。在跨文化交际中，交际双方若不能进入同一文化背景之中，就容易产生不解或误解，从而是交际失败。因此，谈判人员应该要有较强的文化意识以及熟悉多学不同的非语言交际形式，以便尽可能地观察对手，领会对方的非语言信息，同时更好地运用自己的非语言表达。

本文重点论述了体态语的类型和重要功能，并且论述了体态语在国际商务谈判中的重要作用。不同国家在手势，姿态，面部表情，眼神与体距等方面的文化差异，论述了非语言交际的重要性。对跨文化交际中的体态语进行探讨，有助于人们减少或避免在跨文化交际中因体态语的文化差异而引起的误解。

关键词：体态语,跨文化交际,国际商务,谈判