Nonverbal Affiliative Phenomena in Mandarin Chinese Conversation
Abstract
Based on naturally occurring audio-video data collected from university campus settings, this study has identified four nonverbal actions ¾ zhùshì "gaze", diantóu "head nods", wexiao "gentle smile" and shouchù " hand touch" employed by Mandarin Chinese speakers in their interpersonal communication. Detailed data analysis and discussion reveal how Mandarin Chinese speakers manage their affiliation and attachment nonverbally with the co-participants in conversations. Finally, the significance of the study is discussed.
Key Words: affiliation, Chinese communication, conversation analysis, nonverbal communication
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Copyright (c) 2007 Ping Yang
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