Nonverbal（不用语言的）elements form a major part ofany communication interchange. Som( people would say it's the most importantpart. According to one study,words

convey only 7 percenof a person's message.Intonation and voice quality communicate 38 percent,andnonverbal cue, transmit a whopping 55 percent. That means people pick

up more fromnonverbal communicatior than from the words a person says.When studying about aforeign culture,then,it just makes sense to pay attention to how people use

nonverbal cues.

Gestures comprise amajor form of nonverbal communication. In contrast to sign language,usec bydeaf people to communicate elaborate messages,gestures function as visual

icons whichrepreseni a single idea. But often these gestures are embarrassingly culturebound.For example,when the Maoris of New Zealand stick out their tongue at

someone,it is a signof respect. When American schoolchildren make the same gesture,it means justthe opposite.Also,Americans often indicate "OK"with their thumb and

forefinger touchingto form a circle.The same gesture means"money" to theJapanese,"zero"to the French and a vulgarity to Brazilians.For thatreason,people in a foreign

culture must usegestures with caution.

Another culturalaspect of nonverbal communication is one that you might not think about:space.Every person perceives himself to have a sort of invisible shieldsurrounding

his physicalbody.When someone comes too close,he feels uncomfortable.When he bumps intosomeone,he feels obligated to apologize.But the size of a person's"comfort

zone"varies,dependingon his cultural or ethnic origin.For example,in causal conversation,manyAmericans stand about four feet apart. In other words,they like to keep each

other"at arm'slength".People in Latin or Arab cultures,in contrast,stand very close toeach other,and touch each other often.If someone from one of those culturesstands too

close to an Americanwhile in conversation,the American may feel uncomfortable and back away.

Which of thefollowing statements is NOT true?

A.Sticking outtongue at someone is a sign of respect in New Zealand.

B.Sticking outtongue at someone is irrespective in America.

C.To form a circleby touching the thumb and forefinger means "zero" to Brazilians.

D.To form a circleby touching the thumb and forefinger means "OK" to Americans.