02 non verbal communication

‘ Nonverbal Communication’ --- N I K H I L J O S H I lecturer in ‘Language & Communication Skills’ Language Section, IT/CP Department, G H Patel College of Engineering & Technology, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

Introduction
Nonverbal communication is all those messages expressed by other than linguistic means.
Communication researchers have found that nonverbal signals have more impact in conveying meaning than verbal content.
It consists of gestures, postures, facial expressions, signs and symbols.

Characteristics of nonverbal communication
Nonverbal messages primarily communicate emotions, attitudes. – anger. Appreciation, dislike etc. to a particular situation. Messages about ideas or concepts cannot be conveyed through nonverbal signals.
Nonverbal cues substitute for, contradict, emphasize or regulate verbal messages. – by raising an index finger, nodding and leaning forward, raising eyebrows, changing eye contact etc.

Nonverbal cues are often ambiguous, not always easy to understand. Their meaning varies by culture and context. Sometimes they convey meanings that were never intended.
Nonverbal cues are continuous. It is possible to stop talking but, it is generally not possible to stop sending nonverbal cues. The attempt to mask one’s communication communicates something in itself.

Nonverbal cues are generally seen as more reliable. When verbal and nonverbal cues contradict each other we tend to believe the nonverbal. This is largely because nonverbal cues are more difficult to fake. As Sigmund Freud said, “No mortal can keep secret. If his lips are silent, he talks with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore.”
Nonverbal cues are culture bound. Gestures seen as positive in one culture may be seen as obscene in another culture.

Components of Nonverbal Communication
Paralanguage: The study of paralanguage focuses on how you say what you say. The tone of our voice, the loudness, softness, rate of speech and the words we choose in an accent –all these communicate a great deal. By changing the emphasis we can change the entire meaning of the sentence.

Paralanguage has several component parts:
1-Voice qualities: volume, rate of speech, pitch rhythm, pronunciation.
2-Voice qualifiers: Temporary variation in pitch, volume and rate of speech are known as voice qualifiers.
3-Vocal characteristics: The sounds which serve to communicate some meanings are called vocal characteristics… like pleasant, confident, competent.
4-Vocal segregates: Meaningless words or sounds like ‘er’, ‘um’ that are used to punctuate or pace sentences are called vocal segregates. It should be avoided and it indicates lack of confidence and exhibits a feeling of stress.

Kinesics: is a study of body movement and facial expressions.
1-Postures: The way people sit or stand can reveal a lot about their attitudes and emotions. Postures portray confidence, fear, anxiety, aggressiveness etc.
2-Gestures: Four types: emblems, adaptors, illustrators and regulators.

1-Emblems: Gestures that have a meaning that is understood by the public at large. Most of them are culture specific. For instance, forming an ‘O’ with index finger and thumb means ‘OK’ in US, while in Japan it means ‘money and in France it means ‘worthless’ or ‘zero’.
2-Adaptors: These are learned behavior patterns that we usually pick up in childhood like the way we use spoons or our hands while eating.

3-Illustrators: These are gestures that go with what we are saying verbally and tend to depict what is being said. For example while saying “Come, sit here” we wave the hand.
4-Regulators: These are gestures that control the communication exchange. Patting a person on the back may encourage him.

Facial Expressions: They play a vital role in communicating various messages.
Expressions of the eyes are considered the most revealing. It indicates honesty, confidence openness and interest. People who avoid eye contact are usually embarrassed or nervous.
Proxemics: Study of how people use physical space around them and what this use says about them. Status can often be determined by how much space a person occupies.

Proxemics
12 to 25 Ft Public 4 to 12 Ft Social 18 inch to 4 Ft Personal 18inch Intimate

Use of Time: How you use time also gives others clues about what kind of person you are and what they can expect from you in terms of dependability. The amount of time we spend on a task also indicates how much importance we give it.
Mode of Dress: Our first impression of people is often based on what they are wearing. So it should be in a way suitable to your profession.

Conclusion:
Oral communication is thus a mixture of verbal and nonverbal messages. A good communicator is one whose nonverbal cues authenticate and reinforce his words.
As the old folk saying goes, “Action speaks louder than words.” So if your actions belie your words there is every possibility the listener may choose to believe your actions, rather than your words.

T h a n k y o u **********************************
--- N I K H I L J O S H I
lecturer in ‘Language & Communication Skills’
Language Section, IT/CP Department,
G H Patel College of Engineering & Technology, Vallabh Vidyanagar

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02 non verbal communication

by Nikhil Joshi on Sep 17, 2011

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