Nonverbal Communication in Mandarin Chinese Talk-in-Interaction

Based on naturally occurring audio-video data collected from adult Mandarin Chinese speakers, this book features the first extensive studies of nonverbal aspects of Mandarin Chinese talk-in-interaction with focus on the communicative and pragmatic functions of nonverbal actions used in interaction. The nonverbal forms and functions in Mandarin context are discussed with reference to established categorization of emblems, illustrators, regulators, adaptors and emotional expressions. Nonverbal actions like gaze, head nod, gentle smile and hand touch can be used as nonverbal affiliative devices. Gaze-away/down, gentle smiling and some hand gesture are executed for the purpose of nonverbal miànzi "face" including self-face saving and Other-face saving strategies and limào "politeness" in interpersonal communication. The appropriate knowledge and understanding of Mandarin Chinese nonverbal communication are essential to those wishing to communicate effectively with Chinese speakers.