Interpreting Body Language

 Interpreting Body Language is much more than knowing what hand gestures to use when talking. Simply put, the body language is that subtle unspoken component of non-verbal communication that conveys hidden feelings and intentions. It is your smile, your facial expression, your shifting of head, or leaning forward to communicate interest, loyalty, or attention.

How to interpret body language has been the source of confusion for some people for years. With more studies being done on this topic, there is now a well-documented way of understanding what body language says. In essence, you are using your hands to tell the person you are talking to whether you like them or not. Of course, other aspects of body language play an important role in the interpretation. However, you can make good use of facial expressions, voice inflections, and even foot movements to communicate your message.

So, how do you learn about body language? There are several ways. First off, you can ask people you know how they interpret body language. If they've studied it, they probably have at least a working definition of it. Additionally, many of your best friends will likely be able to give you examples of interpreting body language.

For younger children, reading a book about how to read body language may help. There are lots of educational programs out there that explain it, as well. If you don't want to go through the hassle of finding these programs, check out the Web. There are many great sites that will show you pictures, videos, and other resources to help you understand body language.

One thing that's important to remember is that many cultures use body language to indicate many different things. For example, most Japanese people will bend their knees, or lower their back toward the chest while talking. Chinese people will often use their hands to point with a finger at something that they want to say. By studying various cultures, you'll soon become very familiar with subtle signs and cues that you can use to interpret a variety of messages.

In addition to learning how to interpret body language, you'll also need to master verbal skills. That means learning how to speak slowly and clearly, and how to use correct grammar and vocabulary. In school, many students focus only on learning the sounds of words, not how to put them together. As a result, they wind up speaking very gibberish, and they don't come across as proficient when they do talk.

To really hone your body language skills, there are plenty of free online resources to use. Try looking at a website called Body Language Online, which has videos and examples from many different cultures. You can also watch a French maid perform some body language exercises on YouTube. This will give you a great idea of what it feels like to actually say some French phrases. There are even sites that have audio files from TV shows and commercials that you can play in the background while you practice your vocal skills.

Interpreting body language isn't always easy, but it can be done. You just need to know how to look at the signals that you see and interpret them accordingly. Good luck!

If you ever find yourself in a position where you have to interpret body language, make sure that you go over your notes and try to memorize as many of the expressions as you can. You should also take lots of notes, so that you're able to reference back to them when necessary. Some people have found that reading the translation in their head and then writing it down helps them remember it more easily.

That leads me to the third point I'd like to make. Listen to people who speak in their native languages and try to identify what their rhythm and flow are. When you can understand this, you'll usually be able to interpret their body language quite well. For example, if you hear someone talking about the weather, ask them to repeat it to you. They should be able to do this fairly quickly. Sometimes it's hard to figure out exactly what they mean, but with practice you should be able to learn it.

Understanding how to interpret the body language of people can be a big benefit. You can learn a lot just by listening to them. Try to immerse yourself as much as you can into their culture and their life. It can really help you understand better what they're trying to say.