Nonverbal Communication in German-Albanian Cultural Contrast

Year 2020, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 187 - 201, 15.04.2020

Brikena Kadzadej Vjosa Hamiti

https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.689503

Abstract

This article explores the nonverbal communication by comparing the cultural features of Albanian (in Albania and Kosovo) and German cultures; also comparing the inter-cultural features in Albania and Kosovo, respectively. The human communication is beyond language: nonverbal communication includes all kinds of human behavior that are not strictly linguistic but convey meaning, i.e., a set of behaviors (e.g., gestures) with a specific referential value and a function. We focus on seven of the most important channels of nonverbal communication in a contrastive Albanian-German perspective: proxemics, eye contact, facial expressions, body language, touching, physical appearance, the extra-linguistic field. The field of nonverbal communication is often considered inferior in relation to verbal communication (comprised of language habits, grammar, lexicon, etc.). Although communication between members of two different cultures requires the knowledge of a foreign language, their communication actually begins before any words are uttered.

Keywords

Nonverbal Communication, extra-linguistic, Albanian, German, culture

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