Body Language Essay

Christine Chung
Mrs. Kelly
AP Language
14 May 2014
Don’t Speak, Show: Body Language
The current multilingual society places an emphasis on the knowledge and application of language, be it English, Spanish, Chinese, etc. However, there is one universal language, commonly overlooked, that links every ethnicity and cultural background together: body language. Despite this omnipresent quality of body cues, the majority of the public does not understand the impact body language creates and the information it provides about a person. Every individual, regardless of age, sex, culture, and ethnicity, exhibits these uncontrollable gestures. From an instantaneous dilation of the eyes to a subtle turn of the feet, these involuntary actions become the key to unlocking the mind of an individual. Body language, however, does have variations such as between genders and regions. Male body language is generally more assertive and aggressive than that of females. The term body language includes all forms of communication without spoken words such as facial expressions, presentation of oneself, arm gestures, distance between two people, etc. (Pease) Verbal communication is used to express factual information while non-verbal language is used for “negotiating interpersonal attitudes.” (Beattie) This non-verbal communication has its roots during the primitive periods of development and is the link between humans and their evolutionary roots. Although humans have separated themselves from the ‘lower minds’ of animals through spoken language, people still demonstrate these involuntary movements in their everyday routines. Body language is an intrinsic mechanism which reveals the individual’s state of mind by forcing the external body to reflect the int...

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...ual to shield himself away from the dangers and uncertainty of the environment he is in. With careful examination, it becomes simple to decide whether someone is truly comfortable in a situation or if he is merely disguising his discomfort. This ability to decipher another’s inner thoughts is the essential aspect of body language; it allows the examiner to determine the feelings and thought processes within another.
Body cues are invaluable to the understanding of another’s true emotions. Non-verbal communication is present in all human beings. Although it is possible to minimize and improve one’s body language, it is impossible to completely eradicate these uncontrollable gestures. In stressful situations, the body will revert to its instinctive motions. Non-verbal communication remains an essential factor in discerning an individual’s intentions and feelings.