Ping Yang
Nonverbal Affiliative Phenomena in Mandarin Chinese ConversationAbstract
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