What Every Parent Should Teach Their Child About Body Language
We often focus on language in its written and spoken form, but body language is another important way through which we relay information to one another.
The author of this article claims that it is “every parent’s responsibility to socialize their children,” including in body language. I agree with the author. Body language helps us “read” one another more carefully. For example, a child might say that she is not upset, but if her arms are crossed, a teacher can understand that something has disappointed the child. Children need to learn about such cues in interpersonal relationships so that they can better communicate with one another. Body language helps people to gauge the intention behind what is being said.
I would like to study non-verbal communication and its differences across cultures. For example, in France, if you brush your hand along your cheek, that’s code for “c’est barbe” – that’s boring. Another gesture is pulling on one’s eye to say “I don’t believe it.” The French are especially known for their use of gestures. In fact, many international businesses address the differences in non-verbal communication – be it greetings (bow, handshake) or conversational conduct (eye contact).
Some highlights to help develop social and interpersonal intelligence:
- “Brain controls all your physical movements as well as all the faces and gestures you make. You have control over your body and the kinds of messages that your body sends out. You need to be mindful of this in the same way that you have to watch what you say.”
- “What your body says to me is more accurate than what you say and it speaks to me before you do. So always be aware that often we can tell what you are thinking or feeling before you speak.”
- “You can get along better with friends if you read their body language because you'll be able to tell if they are happy or sad, mad or playful, quiet or excited.”
Additional information on body language is available at http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.htm.
NYPD To Be Audited For Language Barriers
Source: http://www.wpix.com/news/local/wpix-nypd-language-barriers,0,1038616.story
The Justice Department of NYC is auditing the NYPD to see how the police treat non-English speaking New Yorkers. The goal of the investigation is to see whether the NYPD violates individuals’ civil rights and what role language barriers play. For example, if an immigrant cannot communicate in English, NYPD officers might mark the victim as “uncooperative.”
This is a great investigation to carry out in New York City. As a resident of the city, I have witnessed the frustration of police officers that do not understand the complaints of the victim or accused person.
Although New York City does have multilingual officers and the NYPD sometimes matches the language skills of officers with the neighborhoods in which they work, there needs to be more information available for the immigrants who cannot defend themselves in English.
NYC is certainly diverse enough to make this goal a reality, so I hope that the investigation increases the focus on language barriers and the Justice System in NYC.
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