Nonverbal Communication in Dances with Wolves Nonverbal communication is a crucial element of communication between cultures, and consists of intonation, facial expressions, touch, hand gestures, smells, and body language. Whenever two cultures come together and communicate, verbal and nonverbal communications are sent concurrently (Neuliep, 2014, p. 282). Verbal communication tends to contain the actual message of the communication, whereas nonverbal communication involves how the message is supposed to be interpreted (Neuliep, 2014, p. 282). Furthermore, people tend to believe the nonverbal communication over the verbal communication, as many people believe that nonverbal communication is more honest than verbal communication (Neuliep, 2014). In the movie Dances with Wolves, both the Lakota Native Americans and the Anglo-American used several distinct forms of nonverbal communication, and the nonverbal communication of the Lakota is similar to that of the Navajo.
Nonverbal Communication The nonverbal communication of the Lakota people is extremely similar to the Navajo nonverbal form of communication. Both the Navajo and the Lakota make little eye contact (Winter, 2013) and encourage silence (Forever Becoming, 2009). In the movie Dances with Wolves, one of the primary nonverbal cues used involves eye contact. The Anglo-American, John Dunbar, tends to make eye contact with each person he meets, and he looks in their eyes while they are talking to him. However, the younger Lakota, like the Navajo people made little eye contact with elders, as Native Americans in general typically consider eye contact to be rude (Flowers, 2005). Additionally, the Anglo-American was visibly uncomfortable with silence, whereas the Native Americans did not seem to mind the silence, as they tend to use silence to demonstrate that they are listening and are thinking critically (Flowers, 2005). When a Lakota elder had finished speaking in the movie, many of the people would make a sound like “hmm” in their throats to show that they acknowledged the elder’s contributions to the conversation and were considering his words. However, the Anglo-American would simply nod his head or give a slight smile to show he was listening. Facial expressions such as smiling were primarily used by the Anglo-American, and this form of expression was used to show amusement, embarrassment, confusion, or excitement. While the Native Americans in the movie did smile, they only did so when they were extremely happy, such as when they were celebrating and feasting; though, many Native Americans generally have little facial displays of emotions, and when it does occur, …show more content…
Perhaps one of the biggest faux pas in the movie occurred when the Anglo-American waved to the Native Americans. The Native Americans seemed to be confused by this gesture and did not understand what it meant when he first used the gesture. However, some of the Native Americans eventually began to understand that it was the Anglo-American way of saying hello or good-bye, and some of the Native Americans began to use the gesture. Another faux pas in the movie was when the Anglo-American offered a Lakota warrior to try his Union military uniform, and the Lakota warrior assumed that the Anglo-American was giving him the jacket to keep. He then placed a Lakota necklace around the Anglo-American, and the Anglo-American looked confused at first that he had traded his jacket for a necklace, but finally consented and stated that it was a “good
Nonverbal Communication The nonverbal communication of the Lakota people is extremely similar to the Navajo nonverbal form of communication. Both the Navajo and the Lakota make little eye contact (Winter, 2013) and encourage silence (Forever Becoming, 2009). In the movie Dances with Wolves, one of the primary nonverbal cues used involves eye contact. The Anglo-American, John Dunbar, tends to make eye contact with each person he meets, and he looks in their eyes while they are talking to him. However, the younger Lakota, like the Navajo people made little eye contact with elders, as Native Americans in general typically consider eye contact to be rude (Flowers, 2005). Additionally, the Anglo-American was visibly uncomfortable with silence, whereas the Native Americans did not seem to mind the silence, as they tend to use silence to demonstrate that they are listening and are thinking critically (Flowers, 2005). When a Lakota elder had finished speaking in the movie, many of the people would make a sound like “hmm” in their throats to show that they acknowledged the elder’s contributions to the conversation and were considering his words. However, the Anglo-American would simply nod his head or give a slight smile to show he was listening. Facial expressions such as smiling were primarily used by the Anglo-American, and this form of expression was used to show amusement, embarrassment, confusion, or excitement. While the Native Americans in the movie did smile, they only did so when they were extremely happy, such as when they were celebrating and feasting; though, many Native Americans generally have little facial displays of emotions, and when it does occur, …show more content…
Perhaps one of the biggest faux pas in the movie occurred when the Anglo-American waved to the Native Americans. The Native Americans seemed to be confused by this gesture and did not understand what it meant when he first used the gesture. However, some of the Native Americans eventually began to understand that it was the Anglo-American way of saying hello or good-bye, and some of the Native Americans began to use the gesture. Another faux pas in the movie was when the Anglo-American offered a Lakota warrior to try his Union military uniform, and the Lakota warrior assumed that the Anglo-American was giving him the jacket to keep. He then placed a Lakota necklace around the Anglo-American, and the Anglo-American looked confused at first that he had traded his jacket for a necklace, but finally consented and stated that it was a “good