LESSON 2
LINGUISTIC PREFERENCES AND NONVERBAL
BEHAVIOR
SCHEMA ACTIVATION
Let’s Do this First!
Instruction: Write on the right column how each of
the given nationalities do their greetings and show their respect or politeness to
others. You may write the exact statements of greetings or respect.
Nationalities Greetings/Acts of courtesy or
politeness
Americans
English (England)
Filipino
Japanese
Koreans
Chinese
German
French
Arabs
Indonesian
Australian
DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
What is non-verbal behavior and
linguistic preferences?
Variations in the way different cultures use language- like
linguistic preferences and nonverbal behaviors- also cause miscommunication.
Nuances in linguistic preferences provide hints about behavior, manners, and thinking
as a cultural group (Lee, 2017; Zelinski, 2017). For instance, Spaniards and Italians,
who prefer eloquence and expressiveness to exactness, tend to be flowery with their
language. In contrast, the English, who are very polite, use understatement to avoid
confrontation, so they sometimes end up being ambiguous.
Asians , including the Japanese and Chinese, consider harmony an important virtue, so
to avoid confrontation, they often say “yes” to many things with the understanding of
“Yes, I hear you” or “Yes, I understand, “ and not necessarily “Yes, I agree”. People in
Latin America, Southern Europe, and Japan, however, are not comfortable with
ambiguity because they are so conditioned to expect absolute truths.
Scandinavians tend to be reserved; they are completely focused, dedicated listeners.
Germans on the other hand, are very logical in both manner and words.
Nonverbal behaviours, which Edward T. Hall (1959) called “the silent language” , are
expressive human attributes that impart feelings, attitudes, reactions, and judgments
which need to be given continued attention because they are acquired mainly through
acculturation (adopting the traits of another cultural group); moreover, they are
unspoken and largely unconscious, so the implied meanings are more felt than
understood.
Here are some differences in the nonverbal behaviors of some other cultures than can
help us coexist with them in globalized community we are in because of technology
(International Etiquette, 2017; Dimensions of Body Language, 2017)
Australia The Popular American “thumbs up”
sign is considered obscene. The V-
sign with the palm facing toward the
speaker is the obscene “up yours”
insult.
France Your hands should be visible at all times
even when seated at a table.
Germany It is impolite to put your hands in your
pockets. Gum chewing in public is rude.
Sit down only after you are offered a seat.
Use titles to show respect; be punctual
because punctuality is important.
Hong Kong Maintain a two arm’s- length distance with
the person. Touching and patting are
taboo. When you are seated your feet
should be facing the ground; the soles of
your shoes should not be shown.
Indonesia When you are in a private room or
mosque, be sure to remove your shoes.
Position them by pointing them toward
the door from which you entered.
Hugging and kissing in public is
inappropriate.
Japan The bow is still the tradition in greetings.
Bend your body about 30-degree angle
from the waist. For men: Palms should be
face up, toward the knee. For women:
Hands should be faced in front of you as
you bow.
Exchanging business cards is important.
When given one, receive it with care- use
two hands and study the card carefully,
treating it with the same respect you
would give its owner.
Keep your shoes in good condition and
spotlessly clean because a Japanese
inspects them as he bows.
Even if you are experiencing displeasure
or are upset about something, you should
smile to show self-control.
Saving face is important to the Japanese,
so instead of saying “no” they say “It is
very difficult” or “We will give this positive
study”, to really mean “Let’s forget the
whole thing and go home”.
Japanese uses a repertoire of smiley
nods and polite noises as he listens only
to encourage the speaker to continue
talking, not to agree with him. He nods
his head to show politeness, not to agree.
Do not touch. When you need to blow
your nose, do so discreetly, preferably in
private, with a paper tissue. Dispose of
the tissue immediately. Never put the
used tissue in a pocket or pursue; this is
regarded as crude.
Bear this in mind: To the Japanese,
laughter can mean confusion rather than
reacting to something funny.
Be careful: The American say “okay” sign
means “money” in Japan.
Be sure to remove your shoes at the front
door; you will be offered a pair of slippers.
Chopstick etiquette dictates that you put
the sticks on the rest when you are not
using them; never leave them in your
food. Whatever you do, avoid standing
sticks up in the air or pointing them
toward your host.
Saudi Arabia Expect greetings to be very emotional.
They consist of a “salaam alaykum” (May
God be with you) followed by a
handshake and then a “keef halak” (How
are you?)
To show mutual respect, two men hold
each other’s hand in public. This is true to
all Middle Eastern Countries.
When reaching for something or offering
something, be sure to do so with your
right hand. Using the left hyand is
considered a taboo.
When sitting, be sure the soles of your
shoes face the ground. It is considered
taboo for the soles to be showing.
Singapore Gesture with your entire hand in
conversation. Pointing with one or two of
your fingers is rude. Avoid using the soles
of your shoes.
Your feet should be used from walking-
nothing else. Feet are considered
unclean parts of the body and should
never, for instance, be used for moving
anything ( a chair closer to a table, for
example)
South Korea When meeting someone, a slight bow is
appropriate.
It is considered good manners to
acknowledge an older person by standing
when the person enters a room.
One way to show respect to elders is by
lowering your eyes..
Loud laughter is rude. When laughing in
public, cover your mouth.
Nose blowing is also in poor taste and
should be done in private.
Be sure to remove your shoes before
entering a temple or a person’s home.
A hug or patting another on the back is
rude.
United Kingdom When meeting someone, respect space
by maintaining a two arm’s- length
distance.
Men should wait for a British woman to
extend her hand before shaking hands.
When meeting someone, rather than
saying, “It is nice to meet you,” a more
appropriate response is. “How do you
do?”
The V- sign with the palm facing toward
the speaker is the obscene “up yours”
insult and frequently used to signify
defiance (especially to authority),
contempt, or decision, but with the palm
facing out is the victory sign.
Your hands should always be visible. It is
rude for hands to be in pockets.
APPLICATION & EVALUATION
Let’s Practice!
Learning Task 1
Instruction: Identify which country the following non-verbal behaviors or linguistic
preferences usually are evident. Write the name of the country on the space provided
before each number.
1. The insertion of “po” and “opo” in sentences.
2. Pointing with one or two of your fingers is rude.
3. Holding hands does not mean intimate relationship.
4. “How are you?” “How do you do?”
5. The palm facing out is the victory sign.
6. Hugging and kissing in public is inappropriate.
7. Your hands should always be visible. It is rude for hands to be in
pockets.
8. It is considered taboo for the soles to be showing.
9. It is considered good manners to acknowledge an older person
by standing when the person enters a room.
10. A hug or patting another on the back is rude.
Learning Task 2
Instruction: Write an essay about non-verbal behaviors and linguistic preferences in
the Philippines.
ABSTRACTION
Complete the following statements IN YOUR OWN WORDS:
1. Non-verbal behaviors are
2. Linguistic Preferences are
3. We have to understand the non-verbal behaviors and linguistic preferences of
other cultures because
4. I have learned that
Congratulations!
You successfully did it. Now, let’s move to lesson 3.
