xlv For example: A: Your report came out very well.
B: But I need to redo some figures. 11.
Disagreement The addressee asserts that the object complimented is not worthy of praise,
the first speaker’s assertion is in error. For example: A: Your shirt is smashing
B: oh, it’s far too loud 12.
No Acknowledgment The addressee gives no indication of having heard the compliment. The
addressee either responds with an irrelevant comment. eg. Topic shift or gives no response.
For example: A: You’re the nice person B: Have you finished that essay yet?
F. Kinesics
Kinesics is the study of body motion. It is the technical term for all aspects of the silent language. All matters of interaction which are not carried out by
actual words are under the study of kinesics. Kinesics is the most obvious non-verbal communication form. The basic
repertoires of kinesics are body motion, eye contact, facial expressions, smile, touching, and proxemics. Although humans share the same kinesics, each social
group may have different rules in using its kinesics. It means that kinesics conveys specific meanings and many interpretations. They depend on its culture
of each society. Different interpretations on the same repertoire of kinesics may cause misunderstanding and cross-cultural difficulties. Chaika, 1994:123.
xlvi Some kinesics repertoires are as follows:
a. Body language
Communication is not achieved by voice alone. In fact, it is difficult to talk without using body motion and expression. One example is the brief raising of
eyebrows. It may have different emotional meaning to particular cultures. It may mean yes, indicate recognition, or express flirting. Eyebrows lifting also mean the
disapproval of a particular behavior. b.
Smiles The basic human repertoire for expression may be the same, but there is plenty
of evidence showing that each culture modifies that repertoire. Smiling is one of the examples. There are many kinds of smiles in different ways for different
purposes. There are friendly smiles, sly smiles, skeptical smiles, derisive, threatening, sick smiles, and grins. Some cultures demand a wide smile, teeth
showing for greeting. Others greet people with close-mouthed or only narrowly open-lipped smiles. The situations that emerge smile and its kinds of smile are
various from one culture to other. c.
Proxemics Proxemics is the study of humankind’s perception and use of space. In a
conversation, people have to know the correct patterns for their society by learning how near or far to stand from those with whom they are conversing.
Normal distance between speakers varies from culture to culture and between subcultures of the same society. The amount of space one take gives messages
about dominances.
xlvii d.
Eye contact Within cultures, there are differences in eye contact between sexes, different
age group, and status. In a common interaction, the subordinate person looks at the superior more than the superior looks at the subordinate. Looking to the
superior is a way of getting approval, of gauging the effect they are having on the one whom they wish to please.
G. Domain
