Is body language a language? A fun guide to the official research

As a language courses and services provider, we firmly believe languages are essential for communication. And we love languages, too!

However, there’s one language that is often overlooked but key in communication: body language.

Without body language, communication is pretty much like reading a book or listening to a tape. Not the same, right?

But, is body language a language? You know, those high-fives and eye rolls that seem to say so much without a single word. Did you raise your eyebrows while reading this question, by the way? Well, that’s an excellent question, and we’ll address it in this article, based on research, science and personal experience.

So, keep reading, because we're about to decode winks, nods and gestures to uncover whether our bodies are truly speaking in their own unique way!

Spoiler alert: This article might help you understand why Meghan refused to hold Harry’s hand!

What is body language, and why is it important?

What is body language, exactly?

Body language — not to be confused with signed languages — refers to the nonverbal signals and cues that we express, consciously or not, through our gestures, facial expressions, posture, and movements.

It's like a silent communication system that complements and sometimes even overrides the words we use. Just think about how a simple smile can convey warmth and friendliness, or how crossed arms might suggest defensiveness or discomfort.

Why is body language so important?

Conveying emotions, intentions, and attitudes

While spoken language provides the content of what we're saying, body language adds depth and context to the message in ways that words alone can’t capture.

It helps us understand the true meaning behind someone's words, enabling us to gauge whether they're sincere, excited, nervous, or indifferent.

Bridging cultural and linguistic gaps

Some say body language is a universal form of language (more on this later), but some gestures and expressions have different interpretations depending on the country or culture.

However, some are pretty much universal, for example smiling. I remember being in Moscow for work, trying to find my way around without a smartphone — yes, I’m a certain age — and with zero Cyrillic knowledge. Well, I can assure you, my smile went a long way, as many locals were willing to help, and some even walked with me to my destination.

Enhancing your communication skills

Body language allows you to connect better with others, build rapport, and avoid misunderstandings in different settings — job interview, negotiation, casual conversation or romantic date.

Speaking of which, our blog offers lots of funny and irresistible pickup lines in different languages, such as German, Spanish or French. The perfect complement to the appropriate body language!

Examples, components and traits of nonverbal communication and body language

Nonverbal communication encompasses a wide range of signals and cues that contribute to our interactions.

Examples

• Facial expressions: Smiles, frowns, raised eyebrows, eye rolls , etc.
• Gestures: Waving, pointing, thumbs-up, finger snapping, etc.
• Posture: Standing tall, slouching, leaning in, crossing arms, etc.
• Eye contact: Maintaining eye contact, avoiding it, etc.
• Touch: Handshakes, hugs, pats on the back, etc.

Components

• Kinesics: The study of body movements, gestures, and facial expressions to understand communication.
• Proxemics: Focuses on the use of space in communication, including the concept of personal space and territorial boundaries.
• Haptics: Examines touch as a form of communication and the different meanings it can convey in various contexts.
• Chronemics: Explores the role of time in communication, such as punctuality, waiting, and the pace of speech.
• Oculesics: The study of eye contact and gaze in communication across cultures.

Traits

• Universal elements: Facial expressions for basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust), tend to be universally recognizable.
• Cultural variability: Other nonverbal cues can vary greatly based on cultural norms and practices.
• Complementary and contradictory: Body language can either reinforce verbal messages or contradict them.
• Emotional leakage: Sometimes, people's true emotions leak out through involuntary nonverbal cues, even when they're trying to hide them.
• Context dependency: The interpretation of body language heavily depends on the context in which they occur.

How much of language is non-verbal communication?

The proportion of communication that is nonverbal versus verbal has been a topic of study and discussion among scientists, researchers, and communication experts for many years.

While there's no precise or fixed percentage that applies universally, most experts agree that a significant portion of communication is nonverbal — between 70% and 93%.

According to a study by psychologist Albert Mehrabian in the 1960s, in certain situations, like conveying emotions and attitudes, nonverbal communication could account for up to 93% of the overall message, with words contributing only 7%.

Subsequent research has shown that the exact breakdown of verbal and nonverbal communication varies widely depending on the context, the culture, the individuals involved, and the type of message being conveyed.

For example, a formal business presentation might rely more heavily on spoken words, while a friendly conversation might involve more nonverbal cues. In situations where emotions are the primary focus, nonverbal communication can even outweigh verbal communication.

Can body language be considered a language?

I think by now, we all agree that body language is an essential part of communication. And actually, it should be part of any culture training. I definitely studied nonverbal communication in college, as part of my cross-cultural communication class.

But is body language a language? Well, considering it’s part of the FBI training, I’d tend to say yes. Also, there was a time when we didn’t talk, and we had to communicate nonverbally. The first language, maybe? Finally, I observed many children from different linguistic backgrounds communicating just fine.

Unfortunately, my opinion is not science. Just like geology. So, what does research say?

The classification of body language as a language according to scientific consensus is a topic of debate. While body language and nonverbal communication are undoubtedly important forms of human interaction, the classification of body language as a distinct language is not universally agreed upon within the scientific community.

What is a language?

Language, in the traditional sense — don’t miss Ismo’s explanation here — involves a structured system of communication using specific rules, grammar, and vocabulary to convey complex ideas and thoughts. Spoken, written and signed languages fit this description, as they involve a symbolic representation of ideas through words and syntax.

Why is body language technically not a language?

While body language is an integral part of communication and often conveys meaning alongside spoken or written words, it doesn't have the same level of structured grammar and vocabulary that characterizes traditional languages.

Some linguists and communication scholars argue that body language doesn't fulfill all the criteria required to be classified as a full-fledged language, particularly due to its lack of consistent syntax and universal symbols.

Hmm… And what about programming, is it a language?

Is body language universal?

Another hot question: is body language universal?

Well, as discussed above, yes and no. While some nonverbal cues have the same meaning internationally — for example, basic emotions — some gestures and expressions have a completely different interpretation depending on the country.

You might want to learn these basic gestures around the world to avoid any faux-pas. Also check out these cultural differences in communication!

Weird facts about nonverbal communication

What do the Spice Girls and Barack Obama have in common?

No, it’s not their great moves! They both used controversial body language! Find out which gestures, and other strange facts about body language in this video — oh, the miserable smile!

In the intricate dance of communication, body language might not be a language in the traditional sense, complete with nouns, verbs, and punctuation marks. If that’s what you’re after, our blog has you covered.

Sure, body language might not have a dictionary or a formal grammar, but it's a vibrant and colorful part of the mysterious and fascinating world of human communication.

So, while body language might not be jotting down Shakespearean sonnets anytime soon, it's definitely a dynamic, crucial and universal form of expression. It's the silent storyteller in the grand narrative of human interaction, and whether we call it a language or not, it certainly knows how to get its message across loud and clear!

If you enjoyed this topic — I can see you smiling — don’t miss our complementary article on body language around the world and explore more of our culture blog.