Body Language Fundamentals

Body languageis a type ofnonverbal communicationin which physical behaviors, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey the information. Such behavior includesfacial expressions, body posture,gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. Body language exists in bothanimalsand humans, but this article focuses on interpretations of human body language. It is also known askinesics.

Although body language is an important part of communication, most of it happens without conscious awareness.

Body "language" must not be confused withsign language, as sign languages are languages and have their own complex grammar systems, as well as being able to exhibit the fundamental properties that exist in all languages.

Body language, on the other hand, does not have agrammarsystem and must be interpreted broadly, instead of having an absolute meaning corresponding with a certain movement, so it is not a language, and is simply termed as a "language" due to popular culture.

In a society, there are agreed-upon interpretations of particular behavior. Interpretations may vary from country to country, or culture to culture. On this note, there is controversy on whether body language is universal. Body language, a subset of nonverbal communication, complements verbal communication in social interaction.

In fact some researchers conclude that nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted during interpersonal interactions. It helps to establish the relationship between two people and regulates interaction, but can beambiguous.