Christine ChungMrs. KellyAP LanguageMay 14, 2014Don't talk, show: body languageToday's multilingual society places emphasis on knowledge and application of language, whether English, Spanish, Chinese, etc. . However, there is one universal, often overlooked language that connects every ethnicity and culture combined: body language. Despite this ubiquitous quality of body signals, the majority of the public does not understand the impact that body language creates and the information it provides on a person. Every individual, regardless of age, gender, culture and ethnicity, exhibits these uncontrollable gestures. From an instant dilation of the eyes to a subtle turn of the foot, these involuntary actions become the key to unlocking an individual's mind. Body language, however, shows variations, particularly between genders and regions. Male body language is generally more assertive and aggressive than that of women. The term body language includes all forms of communication without words such as facial expressions, self-presentation, arm gestures, distance between two people, etc. (Pease) Verbal communication is used to express factual information while nonverbal language is used to “negotiate interpersonal attitudes.” (Beattie) This nonverbal communication has its roots in primitive periods of development and is the link between humans and their evolutionary roots. Although humans have separated themselves from the "lower minds" of animals through spoken language, they continue to manifest these involuntary movements in their daily routines. Body language is an intrinsic mechanism that reveals the individual's state of mind by forcing the external body to reflect the int...... middle of paper ......ual to protect itself from dangers and environmental uncertainty. he's inside. With careful consideration, it becomes simple to decide whether someone is truly comfortable in a situation or whether they are simply hiding their discomfort. This ability to decipher the inner thoughts of others is the essential aspect of body language; this allows the examiner to determine another person's feelings and thought processes. Bodily cues are invaluable for understanding another person's true emotions. Nonverbal communication is present in all human beings. While it is possible to minimize and improve body language, it is impossible to completely eradicate these uncontrollable gestures. In stressful situations, the body will revert to its instinctive movements. Nonverbal communication remains an essential factor in discerning an individual's intentions and feelings.