--- Page 1 --- Tittle: Comparing and contrasting an aspect of intercultural communication between Germany and Vietnam. A. Introduction. Intercultural communication plays a vital function in promoting understanding and cooperation across many countries and cultures. In today''''s globalized society, recognizing and comparing parts of intercultural communication has become more crucial than ever (Bili, 2020). Germany and Vietnam are two countries with contrasting civilizations, with Germany adhering to Western culture and Vietnam to Eastern culture. This disparity creates some fascinating difficulties in intercultural communication between the two cultures. This essay will focus on a specific component of intercultural communication between Germany and Vietnam, which is body language. Body language is a fundamental part of communication, comprising gestures, facial expressions, posture, and personal space (Boynukara, 2019). Understanding and applying body language that matches the culture of the other person may aid increase communication effectiveness and avoid unfavorable misunderstandings. B. Body I. Objective The objective of this article is to explore and compare a specific component of intercultural communication between Germany and Vietnam, which is body language. The essay will focus on recognizing the differences and similarities in the utilization of hand gestures, facial expressions, posture, and personal space between the two civilizations. This attempts to aid readers better appreciate the importance of body language in intercultural communication and how to employ this knowledge to boost communication efficacy between Germans and Vietnamese. II.. Literature review. Intercultural communication is a diverse and complex field of study, with many distinct aspects attracting researchers'''' attention. Among these, body language is regarded an essential factor in intercultural communication (Andersen, 1999). Body language incorporates gestures, facial expressions, posture, and personal space, and can convey a lot of information about the communicator''''s emotions, attitudes, and intentions (Boynukara, 2019). However, the use and interpretation of body language can differ between cultures (Hall, 1976). For example, while contacting others in communication is considered normal in some cultures, it may be seen as inappropriate in others (Andersen, 1999). Therefore, comprehending the distinctions in body language between cultures is very essential to avoid misunderstandings and establish effective relationships (Boynukara, 2019). Studies on body language in intercultural communication between Germany and Vietnam are still relatively limited, so this essay will contribute to enriching knowledge in this field. III. Research method. This method includes searching, evaluating, and summarizing research and documents related to the research topic. The sources used include books, scientific articles, theses, and reliable online documents. Keywords used to search for documents include "body language", "intercultural communication", "German", "Vietnamese", "gestures", "facial expressions", "posture", and "personal distance". The collected materials will be analyzed, compared, and synthesized to identify similarities and differences in body language between the two cultures. IV. Research result In terms of similarities, both cultures value maintaining personal distance in communication. Germans and Vietnamese often keep a distance of 60 to 120 cm when communicating with strangers or unfamiliar people (Hall, 1966). This shows respect and preservation of the other person''''s private space. However, there are many significant differences in body language between the two cultures. In communication, Germans often use hand gestures in a limited and calm manner, while Vietnamese people use hand gestures more and more vividly. For example, Vietnamese people often use finger gestures to emphasize points of view or directions, while Germans rarely do so. In terms of facial expressions, Germans tend to control their emotions and show them less outwardly, while Vietnamese people tend to express their emotions in a more relaxed way. For example, Vietnamese people tend to smile more in communication, even when they are struggling or frustrated, while Germans are less likely to smile if there is no specific reason. In terms of posture, Germans usually stand or sit in an upright and stiff posture, showing confidence and professionalism. Conversely, Vietnamese persons often exhibit a more relaxed and flexible attitude, often choosing to squat or sit on the ground when conversing with family members or friends (Nguyen, 2018). Failure to accurately perceive and effectively adjust for variations in nonverbal communication, including body language, between Germany and Vietnam might lead to misunderstandings during cross-cultural dialogue. For example, the Vietnamese use several physical gestures and freely display their emotions, which might possibly make Germans feel uncomfortable or see the person as lacking in professionalism. In contrast, the collected and repressed emotions expressed by Germans may give Vietnamese folks the sense that they are distant and unapproachable (Vi, 2018). In order to develop effective communication between the two cultures, it is necessary to grasp and respect the various subtleties of body language. Germans should demonstrate greater receptiveness and affability, whereas Vietnamese folks should practice restraint over their actions and emotions in formal contexts. To minimize unintended misunderstandings, it is vital for both parties to acquaint themselves with and adapt to each other''''s communication styles (Nguyen, 2018). V. Discussion --- Page 2 --- The results of the research show that although there are some similarities between intercultural body language in Vietnamese and German, there are also many significant differences. These differences might lead to misunderstandings and other problems if they are not recognized and properly handled. To improve communication, Germans and Vietnamese people need to learn to identify, value, and accept each other''''s unique body language. However, there are certain limitations to this study. First of all, the research only focuses on certain body language elements, ignoring the complexity and diversity of the issue as a whole. Second, the study doesn''''t address how other factors like age, gender, and specific contexts influence body language in cross-cultural communication. C. CONCLUSION The study of body language in cross-cultural communication between Germany and Vietnam makes clear that differences in gestures, posture, emotions on the face, and personal space may lead to misunderstandings. To improve communication, Germans and Vietnamese people need to learn to identify, value, and accept each other''''s unique body language. Future research should consider the impact of other factors such as age, gender, and specific circumstances, as well as expanding the study''''s scope and participant pool. Increasing intercultural communication knowledge and skill—especially in body language interpretation—will help Germans and Vietnamese collaborate and understand each other better in a variety of fields, such as business, education, and diplomacy.
Trang 1Tittle: Comparing and contrasting an aspect of intercultural communicationbetween Germany and Vietnam.
A Introduction.
Intercultural communication plays a vital function in promoting understandingand cooperation across many countries and cultures In today's globalizedsociety, recognizing and comparing parts of intercultural communication hasbecome more crucial than ever (Bili, 2020) Germany and Vietnam are twocountries with contrasting civilizations, with Germany adhering to Westernculture and Vietnam to Eastern culture This disparity creates some fascinatingdifficulties in intercultural communication between the two cultures This essaywill focus on a specific component of intercultural communication betweenGermany and Vietnam, which is body language Body language is afundamental part of communication, comprising gestures, facial expressions,posture, and personal space (Boynukara, 2019) Understanding and applyingbody language that matches the culture of the other person may aid increasecommunication effectiveness and avoid unfavorable misunderstandings.
B BodyI Objective
The objective of this article is to explore and compare a specific component ofintercultural communication between Germany and Vietnam, which is bodylanguage The essay will focus on recognizing the differences and similarities inthe utilization of hand gestures, facial expressions, posture, and personal spacebetween the two civilizations This attempts to aid readers better appreciate theimportance of body language in intercultural communication and how toemploy this knowledge to boost communication efficacy between Germans andVietnamese.
Trang 2II Literature review.
Intercultural communication is a diverse and complex field of study, with manydistinct aspects attracting researchers' attention Among these, body language isregarded an essential factor in intercultural communication (Andersen, 1999).Body language incorporates gestures, facial expressions, posture, and personalspace, and can convey a lot of information about the communicator's emotions,attitudes, and intentions (Boynukara, 2019) However, the use and interpretationof body language can differ between cultures (Hall, 1976) For example, whilecontacting others in communication is considered normal in some cultures, itmay be seen as inappropriate in others (Andersen, 1999) Therefore,comprehending the distinctions in body language between cultures is veryessential to avoid misunderstandings and establish effective relationships(Boynukara, 2019) Studies on body language in intercultural communicationbetween Germany and Vietnam are still relatively limited, so this essay willcontribute to enriching knowledge in this field.
III Research method.
This method includes searching, evaluating, and summarizing research anddocuments related to the research topic The sources used include books,scientific articles, theses, and reliable online documents Keywords used tosearch for documents include "body language", "intercultural communication","German", "Vietnamese", "gestures", "facial expressions", "posture", and"personal distance" The collected materials will be analyzed, compared, andsynthesized to identify similarities and differences in body language betweenthe two cultures.
IV Research result
In terms of similarities, both cultures value maintaining personal distance incommunication Germans and Vietnamese often keep a distance of 60 to 120
Trang 3cm when communicating with strangers or unfamiliar people (Hall, 1966) Thisshows respect and preservation of the other person's private space.
However, there are many significant differences in body language between thetwo cultures In communication, Germans often use hand gestures in a limitedand calm manner, while Vietnamese people use hand gestures more and morevividly For example, Vietnamese people often use finger gestures to emphasizepoints of view or directions, while Germans rarely do so.[ CITATION LeD18 \l1033 ]
In terms of facial expressions, Germans tend to control their emotions and showthem less outwardly, while Vietnamese people tend to express their emotions ina more relaxed way For example, Vietnamese people tend to smile more incommunication, even when they are struggling or frustrated, while Germans areless likely to smile if there is no specific reason.[ CITATION Ngu18 \l 1033 ]In terms of posture, Germans usually stand or sit in an upright and stiff posture,showing confidence and professionalism Conversely, Vietnamese persons oftenexhibit a more relaxed and flexible attitude, often choosing to squat or sit on theground when conversing with family members or friends (Nguyen, 2018).
Failure to accurately perceive and effectively adjust for variations in nonverbalcommunication, including body language, between Germany and Vietnammight lead to misunderstandings during cross-cultural dialogue For example,the Vietnamese use several physical gestures and freely display their emotions,which might possibly make Germans feel uncomfortable or see the person aslacking in professionalism In contrast, the collected and repressed emotionsexpressed by Germans may give Vietnamese folks the sense that they are distantand unapproachable (Vi, 2018).
Trang 4In order to develop effective communication between the two cultures, it isnecessary to grasp and respect the various subtleties of body language Germansshould demonstrate greater receptiveness and affability, whereas Vietnamesefolks should practice restraint over their actions and emotions in formalcontexts To minimize unintended misunderstandings, it is vital for both partiesto acquaint themselves with and adapt to each other's communication styles(Nguyen, 2018).
V Discussion
The results of the research show that although there are some similaritiesbetween intercultural body language in Vietnamese and German, there are alsomany significant differences These differences might lead tomisunderstandings and other problems if they are not recognized and properlyhandled To improve communication, Germans and Vietnamese people need tolearn to identify, value, and accept each other's unique body language.However, there are certain limitations to this study First of all, the researchonly focuses on certain body language elements, ignoring the complexity anddiversity of the issue as a whole Second, the study doesn't address how otherfactors like age, gender, and specific contexts influence body language in cross-cultural communication.
C CONCLUSION
The study of body language in cross-cultural communication between Germanyand Vietnam makes clear that differences in gestures, posture, emotions on theface, and personal space may lead to misunderstandings To improvecommunication, Germans and Vietnamese people need to learn to identify,value, and accept each other's unique body language Future research shouldconsider the impact of other factors such as age, gender, and specificcircumstances, as well as expanding the study's scope and participant pool.
Trang 5Increasing intercultural communication knowledge and skill—especially inbody language interpretation—will help Germans and Vietnamese collaborateand understand each other better in a variety of fields, such as business,education, and diplomacy.
Andersen, P A (1999) Nonverbal communication: Forms and functions.
Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.
Bili, Y R (2020) To What Extent Does Language Encourage Cross Cultural
Problems in Intercultural Communication? International Journal of Linguistics,
Boynukara, H (2019) Nonverbal communication (body language) and cultural
Hall, E T (1976) Beyond culture New York: NY: Doubleday.
Nguyen, M & (2018) Culturally sensitive user interface design: a case studywith German and Vietnamese users In Proceedings of the Second AfricanConference for Human Computer Interaction: Thriving Communities (pp 1-12).
Vi, L D (2018) Culture shock of Vietnamese students in German Saimaa
https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/143209/Vi_Le.pdf?sequence=1.