译者在翻译时应时刻保持语境意识。本文把Hatim和Mason提出语境三个层面理论作为理论基础,指导肢体语言的翻译。表面上非言语交际描述的翻译是文本间的翻译,而实质上是两个不同非言语系统之间的转换。本文全面阐述了非言语交际的定义,特征,研究状况并探究了肢体语言翻译中存在的问题：一是缺乏对非言语交际中文化信息的意识;二是忽视了上下文中非言语交际描述的功能。因此,如何提高译者翻译肢体语言时的语境意识是本文的核心。

nonverbal communication. Many experts have shown the importance of body language in the cross-cultural communication. A psychologist proposed a formula: “the total impact of message = 7% verbal + 38% vocal +55% facial expressions and behavior.” It is clear without body language we can t finish our informational exchange. Body language, like verbal language, can express emotions, exchange ideas and deliver information. In this case, characteristics of body language should be taken into consideration.

Generally speaking, body language possesses the following characteristics on the basis of

analysis.

(1)Polysemy: A body language that has more than two meanings is called polysemous

body language. Polysemy of body language can influence people s communication in a specific context. Certain body language descriptions often have a variety of meanings, sometimes entirely opposite in meaning in different cultures or regions. If the communicators were not conscious of this, they would feel puzzled and confused. For example, shrug one's shoulder can mean confusion, in desperation, have no idea, etc. in different contexts.

(2)Synonymy: One meaning can be shown by more than two body languages, for instance,

gestures of shaking hands, nodding, or raising hand can mean the same thing of greeting somebody.

(3)Culture-bounded: Different nations have different cultures. For instance, it is a

common phenomenon of social greeting that a male and a female can have physical contacts. However, it is a taboo in some Asian cultures.

(4)Geographic Distribution: Geographic distribution of body language is regular. There

exists a large quantity of body language zones and they have their own features. A good example comes from the people living in Tibet. They share the same series of secret body language to worship, which is unknown by the people from other places.

(5)Ambiguity: Ambiguity refers to a word, a phrase, a sentence or a group of sentences

with more than one possible interpretations or meanings. In this sense, people should be aware that body language, an essential component of nonverbal communication, is dominated by ambiguity, which results from the context, the relationship between the interact-ants, socioeconomic status, and the mood or feeling of the sender and the receiver in addition to being culturally bound.