subject: Eyes Do Speak - But What Do They Say? [print this page] Eyes Do Speak - But What Do They Say? Eyes Do Speak - But What Do They Say?
It is well established that non-verbal communications such as body language, tone of voice, posture and eye contact play a very large role in interpersonal communications.
A leading study, by Albert Mehrabian, Professor Emeritus of Psychology from UCLA, puts forward what is known as the Mehrabian 7%-38%-55% rule--which states that the factors determining the "likeability" of a person are their words (7%,) tone of voice (38%) and body language (55%).
Complicating the matter is cultural differences. With body language playing such an important role in interpersonal communications, it is easy to see how different takes on non-verbal communications can lead to misunderstandings, especially when communicating with a person from a different background.
I have been living in Japan and taught English conversation to native Japanese. One of the things I have become aware of is the role eye contact plays in communication. Japanese tend to be shy, and commonly avoid direct eye contact.
On the contrary, we value eye contact as an essential mean of communicating. However, what we consider as a sign of sincerity, can easily be misunderstood as being too forward or aggressive. On the other hand, what the Japanese consider to be a sign of respect (avoiding eye contact,) we can interpret as a sign of aloofness, evasiveness or worse.
Not surprisigly, Japanese has a few words to describe the visual perception. For example, verbs such as "see," "look" and "watch" are all translated into the verb "miru."
In contrast, our English has a large vocabulary for words relating to vision; and we have many phrasal verbs (such as to look up to, to look down on, to look out for, to look into, to keep an eye on, to watch out for) which we commonly use in our everyday language.
Take a look at the followings expressions relating to eyes and vision.
If you watch carefully you will see how lovingly they look at each other.
He glanced at the menu.
He glimpsed at her eyes.
He gaped in astonishment.
The boys were gawking at the pretty girls.
He gazed at the shiny car that he knew he could not afford to buy.
He peeked into the house through an open window.
He was peeping at the crowd from behind the curtain.
The firemen peered through the thick smoke.
The soldiers scanned the horizon for any sign of the enemy.
The teacher spotted the student cheating on his exam.
Try not to squint when the camera flashes.
It is rude to stare.
Please observe!
The buyers will view the house tomorrow.
We also use numerous metaphors relating to vision. Here are a few examples:
I see. (I understand)
See to it so it doesn't happen again.
I saw through him.
You should see a doctor.
They see eye to eye on all issues.
With so many different words and expressions it is not difficult to understand why eye contact plays such an important role in non-verbal English communication.
In the immortal words of Humphrey Bogart in the movie Casablanca "Here is looking at you, kid!"
