The importance of body language

辽宁营口开发区熊岳高级中学 宁建权

研究表明，我们大部分的交流是通过非语言的沟通方式实现的。 因此，学会使用和辨别肢体语言可以帮助我们成为更有效的沟通者。

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难词探意

1. discern /dɪ΄sзːn/ v. 识别；分辨出

2. pitch /pɪtʃ/ n. 音高

3. sway /sweɪ/ v. （使）摇摆

4. dominate /΄dɒmɪneɪt/ v. 支配；影响

Body language is a part of communication, which makes up most of what we use to communicate.It plays an important role in our daily life. Here are the reasons.

Paying attention to someone's body language can help usdiscernwhen someone is not telling us the whole truth. Here are a few signs that someone might be lying. Often a person who is not telling the truth or all of the truth will not want to make eye contact because the eyes are the windows to their lying souls. However, there are also other signs of lying. People who are not telling the whole truth may clear their throats and change theirpitchas if to try andswayyour attention away from their lies. Additionally, putting their hands to their faces, turning away or raising their shoulders may also indicate that they are uncomfortable with the conversation because they are not telling the truth.

Another important function of body language is to express our feelings about what we are discussing. Body language can help us determine how people feel about what they are saying. For example, people may tell their bosses that they would be happy to take the account but their body language might indicate that they are actually not at all happy about it.

Body language may be the determining factor in a job interview. If the applicant's body language conveys that he is at ease with the subject matter and conveys confidence, he has a higher probability of getting the job, especially in this tough job market.

In a friendship, one's body language can indicate that someone is paying attention to or doesn't really care about what the other person is saying. Leaning forward into the conversation indicates that this person is interested in hearing what the other person is saying. Leaning back would indicate that he is disinterested or feels superior. Leaning forward and standing close while talking may indicate that someone is aggressively trying to persuade the other person or trying todominatethe conversation. Listening to friends while not making eye contact indicates that you are not paying attention to what your friends are talking about, but are waiting for your chance to speak. This gives your friends the feeling that you don't care about them and may cause them not to listen carefully to you when it is your turn to speak in the conversation.

Studies show that 70% of our communication is achieved non-verbally. Therefore, it is important that we learn to use and discern body language more effectively to become effective communicators.

Reading

Check

1. Which of the following signs is an indicator that someone is lying?

A. Lowering shoulders.

B. Closing windows.

C. Putting hands on laps.

D. Avoiding making eye contact.

2. How many benefits of body language are mentioned in the text?

A. Three. B. Four. C. Five. D. Six.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 5?

A. It is polite to listen to someone in the absence of eye contact.

B. It is acceptable to dominate the conversation when you talk with friends.

C. Leaning forward while one is listening shows the person's interest in the topic.

D. Leaning forward into the conversation shows the person's superiority.