1. NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Communication in general is process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to
share knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech,
communication is composed of two dimensions - verbal and nonverbal.
Nonverbal Communication has been defined as communication without words. It includes
apparent behaviors such as facial expressions, eyes, touching, and tone of voice, as well as less
obvious messages such as dress, posture and spatial distance between two or more people.
Everything communicates, including material objects, physical space, and time systems.
Although verbal output can be turned off, nonverbal cannot. Even silence speaks.
“nonverbal communication involves those nonverbal stimuli in a communication
setting that are generated by both the source [speaker] and his or her use of the
environment and that have potential message value for the source or receiver
[listener] (Samovar et al). Basically it is sending and receiving messages in a
variety of ways without the use of verbal codes (words). It is both intentional and
unintentional. Most speakers / listeners are not conscious of this. It includes —
but is not limited to:
o touch
o glance
o eye contact (gaze)
o volume
o vocal nuance
o proximity
o gestures
o facial expression ? pause (silence)
o intonation
o dress
o posture
o smell
o word choice and syntax
o sounds (paralanguage)
Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of non-verbal language:

2. nonverbal messages produced by the body;
nonverbal messages produced by the broad setting (time, space, silence)
Non-verbal communication is a bit more complicated. It is sending a message without using
words to convey meaning. Non-verbal communication can include many different elements.
Let's look at some:
• Vocal cues, referred to as paralinguistics, is a form of non-verbal communication that
includes such things as pitch, inflection, tone, volume, speed of the speech, quality, non-
word sounds, pronunciation, enunciation and even silence.
• Body movement and gestures are also part of non-verbal communication. For example,
leaning forward may mean interest, while crossing arms is often viewed as a defensive
posture.
• Facial expressions are a common form of non-verbal communication. Examples of facial
expressions include smiling, crying and grimacing.
• Space can also act as a form of non-verbal communication. Space includes the concept of
territoriality and personal space. Territoriality is about making sure others know your
territory. A fence is an example of territoriality. Personal space, on the other hand, is a
three-dimensional space surrounding you that you don't want people to cross. If they
come too close, you get uncomfortable.
• Touch is often considered as positive and reinforcing, such as patting someone on the
back for a job well done.
• Clothing and artifacts can also send a message, including status, conformity or rebellion.
Think about a doctor. Do they really need to wear a lab coat during all examinations? Not
really, but it's a cue to their status. Artifacts include such things as hairstyles, jewelry,
cosmetics, watches, shoes, tattoos and body piercing.
Why is non-verbal communication important?
Basically, it is one of the key aspects of communication (and especially important
in a high-context culture). It has multiple functions:
o Used to repeat the verbal message (e.g. point in a direction while stating
directions.
o Often used to accent a verbal message. (e.g. verbal tone indicates the
actual meaning of the specific words).
o Often complement the verbal message but also may contradict. E.g.: a
nod reinforces a positive message (among Americans); a “wink” may
contradict a stated positive message.
o Regulate interactions (non-verbal cues covey when the other person
should speak or not speak).

3. o May substitute for the verbal message (especially if it is blocked by noise,
interruption, etc) — i.e. gestures (finger to lips to indicate need for quiet),
facial expressions (i.e. a nod instead of a yes).
► Uses of Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication provides individuals and groups with many options for presenting
their messages. Here are some of the uses of nonverbal communication.
o To create impressions beyond the verbal element of communication
o To repeat and reinforce what is said verbally
o To manage and regulate the interaction among participants in the communication
exchange
o To express emotion beyond the verbal element
o To convey relational messages of affection, power, dominance, respect, and so on
o To promote honest communication by detecting deception or conveying suspicion
o To provide group or social leadership by sending messages of power and persuasion
Note the implications of the proverb: “Actions speak louder than words.” In essence, this
underscores the importance of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is
especially significant in intercultural situations. Probably non-verbal differences account for
typical difficulties in communicating.
Cultural Differences in Non-verbal Communication
1. General Appearance and Dress
All cultures are concerned for how they look and make judgements based on
looks and dress. Americans, for instance, appear almost obsessed with dress and
personal attractiveness. Consider differing cultural standards on what is attractive
in dress and on what constitutes modesty. Note ways dress is used as a sign of
status?
2. Body Movement
We send information on attitude toward person (facing or leaning towards
another), emotional statue (tapping fingers, jiggling coins), and desire to control
the environment (moving towards or away from a person).
More than 700,000 possible motions we can make — so impossible to categorize
them all! But just need to be aware the body movement and position is a key
ingredient in sending messages.
3. Posture
Consider the following actions and note cultural differences:

4. o Bowing (not done, criticized, or affected in US; shows rank in Japan)
o Slouching (rude in most Northern European areas)
o Hands in pocket (disrespectful in Turkey)
o Sitting with legs crossed (offensive in Ghana, Turkey)
o Showing soles of feet. (Offensive in Thailand, Saudi Arabia)
o Even in US, there is a gender difference on acceptable posture?
4. Gestures
Impossible to catalog them all. But need to recognize: 1) incredible possibility
and variety and 2) that an acceptable in one’s own culture may be offensive in
another. In addition, amount of gesturing varies from culture to culture. Some
cultures are animated; other restrained. Restrained cultures often feel animated
cultures lack manners and overall restraint. Animated cultures often feel
restrained cultures lack emotion or interest.
Even simple things like using hands to point and count differ.
Pointing : US with index finger; Germany with little finger; Japanese with entire
hand (in fact most Asians consider pointing with index finger to be rude)
Counting: Thumb = 1 in Germany, 5 in Japan, middle finger for 1 in Indonesia.
5. Facial Expressions
While some say that facial expressions are identical, meaning attached to them
differs. Majority opinion is that these do have similar meanings world-wide with
respect to smiling, crying, or showing anger, sorrow, or disgust. However, the
intensity varies from culture to culture. Note the following:
o Many Asian cultures suppress facial expression as much as possible.
o Many Mediterranean (Latino / Arabic) cultures exaggerate grief or sadness
while most American men hide grief or sorrow.
o Some see “animated” expressions as a sign of a lack of control.
o Too much smiling is viewed in as a sign of shallowness.
o Women smile more than men.

5. 6. Eye Contact and Gaze
In USA, eye contact indicates: degree of attention or interest, influences attitude
change or persuasion, regulates interaction, communicates emotion, defines
power and status, and has a central role in managing impressions of others.
o Western cultures — see direct eye to eye contact as positive (advise
children to look a person in the eyes). But within USA, African-
Americans use more eye contact when talking and less when listening
with reverse true for Anglo Americans. This is a possible cause for some
sense of unease between races in US. A prolonged gaze is often seen as a
sign of sexual interest.
o Arabic cultures make prolonged eye-contact. — believe it shows interest
and helps them understand truthfulness of the other person. (A person
who doesn’t reciprocate is seen as untrustworthy)
o Japan, Africa, Latin American, Caribbean — avoid eye contact to show
respect.
7. Touch
Question: Why do we touch, where do we touch, and what meanings do we assign
when someone else touches us?
Illustration: An African-American male goes into a convenience store
recently taken over by new Korean immigrants. He gives a $20 bill for his
purchase to Mrs Cho who is cashier and waits for his change. He is upset
when his change is put down on the counter in front of him.
What is the problem? Traditional Korean (and many other Asian
countries) don’t touch strangers., especially between members of the
opposite sex. But the African-American sees this as another example of
discrimination (not touching him because he is black).
Basic answer: Touch is culturally determined! But each culture has a clear
concept of what parts of the body one may not touch. Basic message of touch is
to affect or control — protect, support, disapprove (i.e. hug, kiss, hit, kick).
o USA — handshake is common (even for strangers), hugs, kisses for those
of opposite gender or of family (usually) on an increasingly more intimate
basis. Note differences between African-Americans and Anglos in USA.

6. Most African Americans touch on greeting but are annoyed if touched on
the head (good boy, good girl overtones).
o Islamic and Hindu: typically don’t touch with the left hand. To do so is a
social insult. Left hand is for toilet functions. Mannerly in India to break
your bread only with your right hand (sometimes difficult for non-Indians)
o Islamic cultures generally don’t approve of any touching between genders
(even hand shakes). But consider such touching (including hand holding,
hugs) between same-sex to be appropriate.
o Many Asians don’t touch the head (Head houses the soul and a touch puts
it in jeopardy).
Basic patterns: Cultures (English , German, Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese)
with high emotional restraint concepts have little public touch; those which
encourage emotion (Latino, Middle-East, Jewish) accept frequent touches.
3. Smell
o USA — fear of offensive natural smells (billion dollar industry to mask
objectionable odors with what is perceived to be pleasant ) — again
connected with “attractiveness” concept.
o Many other cultures consider natural body odors as normal (Arabic).
o Asian cultures (Filipino, Malay, Indonesian, Thai, Indian) stress frequent
bathing — and often criticize USA of not bathing often enough!
4. Paralanguage
o vocal characterizers (laugh, cry, yell, moan, whine, belch, yawn). These
send different messages in different cultures (Japan — giggling indicates
embarrassment; India – belch indicates satisfaction)
o vocal qualifiers (volume, pitch, rhythm, tempo, and tone). Loudness
indicates strength in Arabic cultures and softness indicates weakness;
indicates confidence and authority to the Germans,; indicates impoliteness
to the Thais; indicates loss of control to the Japanese. (Generally, one
learns not to “shout” in Asia for nearly any reason!). Gender based as
well: women tend to speak higher and more softly than men.
o vocal segregates (un-huh, shh, uh, ooh, mmmh, humm, eh, mah, lah).
Segregates indicate formality, acceptance, assent, uncertainty.
According to experts, a substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Every day, we
respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye

7. gaze, gestures, and tone of voice. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal
who we are and impact how we relate to other people.
Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the 1872 publication
of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. Since that time, there
has been an abundance of research on the types, effects, and expressions of unspoken
communication and behavior. While these signals are often so subtle that we are not consciously
aware of them, research has identified several different types of nonverbal communication.
In many cases, we communicate information in nonverbal ways using groups of behaviors. For
example, we might combine a frown with crossed arms and unblinking eye gaze to indicate
disapproval.
1. Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider
how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on a person face is
often the first thing we see, even before we hear what they have to say.
While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial
expressions for happiness, sadness, anger and fear are similar throughout the world.
2. Gestures
Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning without
words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and using fingers to indicate numeric
amounts. Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.
In courtroom settings, lawyers have been known to utilize different nonverbal signals to attempt
to sway juror opinions. An attorney might glance at his watch to suggest that the opposing
lawyer's argument is tedious or might even roll his eyes at the testimony offered by a witness in
an attempt to undermine his or her credibility. These nonverbal signals are seen as being so
powerful and influential that some judges even place limits on what type of nonverbal behaviors
are allowed in the courtroom.
3. Paralinguistics
Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This
includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch. Consider the powerful
effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of
voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone
of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest.
Consider all the different ways simply changing your tone of voice might change the meaning of
a sentence. A friend might ask you how you are doing, and you might respond with the standard
"I'm fine," but how you actually say those words might reveal a tremendous amount of how you

8. are really feeling. A cold tone of voice might suggest that you are actually not fine, but you don't
wish to discuss it. A bright, happy tone of voice will reveal that you are actually doing quite
well. A somber, downcast tone would indicate that you are the opposite of fine and that perhaps
your friend should inquire further.
4. Body Language and Posture
Posture and movement can also convey a great deal on information. Research on body language
has grown significantly since the 1970's, but popular media have focused on the over-
interpretation of defensive postures, arm-crossing, and leg-crossing, especially after the
publication of Julius Fast's book Body Language. While these nonverbal behaviors can indicate
feelings and attitudes, research suggests that body language is far more subtle and less definitive
that previously believed.
5. Proxemics
People often refer to their need for "personal space," which is also an important type of
nonverbal communication. The amount of distance we need and the amount of space we perceive
as belonging to us is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, cultural
expectations, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity. For
example, the amount of personal space needed when having a casual conversation with another
person usually varies between 18 inches to four feet. On the other hand, the personal distance
needed when speaking to a crowd of people is around 10 to 12 feet.
6. Eye Gaze
The eyes play an important role in nonverbal communication and such things as looking, staring,
and blinking can also be important nonverbal behaviors. When people encounter people or things
that they like, the rate of blinking increases and pupils dilate. Looking at another person can
indicate a range of emotions including hostility, interest, and attraction.
People also utilize eye gaze a means to determine if someone is being honest. Normal, steady eye
contact is often taken as a sign that a person is telling the truth and is trustworthy. Shifty eyes
and an inability to maintain eye contact, on the other hand, is frequently seen as an indicator that
someone is lying or being deceptive.
7. Haptics
Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal behavior. There has been a
substantial amount of research on the importance of touch in infancy and early childhood. Harry
Harlow's classic monkey study demonstrated how the deprivation of touch and contact impedes
development. Baby monkeys raised by wire mothers experienced permanent deficits in behavior
and social interaction. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy, and
other emotions.

9. In her book Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters, author Julia Wood writes that
touch is also often used as a way to communicate both status and power. Researchers have found
that high-status individuals tend to invade other people's personal space with greater frequency
and intensity than lower-status individuals. Sex differences also play a role in how people utilize
touch to communicate meaning. Women tend to use touch to convey care, concern, and
nurturance. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to use touch to assert power or control over
others.
8. Appearance
Our choice of color, clothing, hairstyles, and other factors affecting appearance are also
considered a means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has
demonstrated that different colors can evoke different moods. Appearance can also alter
physiological reactions, judgments, and interpretations. Just think of all the subtle judgements
you quickly make about someone based on his or her appearance. These first impressions are
important, which is why experts suggest that job seekers dress appropriately for interviews with
potential employers.
Researchers have found that appearance can play a role in how people are perceived and even
how much they earn. One 1996 study found that attorneys who were rated as more attractive than
their peers earned nearly 15 percent more than those ranked as less attractive. Culture can have
an important influence in how appearances are judged. While thinness tends to be valued in
Western cultures, some African cultures relate full-figured bodies to better health, wealth, and
social status.
9. Artifacts
Objects and images are also tools that can be used to communicate nonverbally. On an online
forum, for example, you might select an avatar to represent your identity online and to
communicate information about who you are and the things you like. People often spend a great
deal of time developing a particular image and surrounding themselves with objects designed to
convey information about the things that are important to them. Uniforms, for example, can be
used to transmit a tremendous amount of information about a person. A soldier will don fatigues,
a police offers will wear a uniform, and a doctor will wear a white lab coat. At a mere glance,
these outfits tell people what a person does for a living.
Final Thoughts
Nonverbal communication plays an important role in how we convey meaning and information
to others, as well as how we interpret the actions of those around us. The important thing to
remember when looking at such nonverbal behaviors is to consider the actions in groups. What a
person actually says along with his or her expressions, appearance, and tone of voice might tell
you a great deal about what that person is really trying to say.

10. Effects of Non Verbal Communication
Non verbal communication, especially body language, can send a strong message, in spite of
what your words say. Even the tone of your voice, its pitch, volume, quality, and speed effects
what you say. Your body language can:
• Repeat the message your words are saying
• Contradict what your words are saying
• Be a substitution for your verbal message
• Add to the meaning of your message
• Accent or make the message stronger, like pounding your fist on a table
Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills in the Workplace
Nonverbal communication is important in the workplace because it affects the work
environment. What you communicate nonverbally can expose how you feel. If your nonverbal
communications skills are poor, you may be communicating negativity and making your
coworkers uncomfortable. To improve your nonverbal skills, you must first identify the areas
where you are lacking.
Eye Contact
Establish eye contact when speaking to others. When you make direct eye contact, it shows the
other party that you’re interested in what he is saying. If you must give a presentation at work,
establish eye contact with the audience. It tell them that you are confident in what you are
presenting. Making direct eye contact provides others with the comfort needed to communicate
with you in return.
Facial Expressions
Your facial expressions convey your emotions. Facial expressions are typically universal, which
means they convey the same message globally. A frowning person is usually upset. Offer a smile
when talking to someone. This tells people that you are happy or in a good mood. It also creates
an atmosphere with warmth and friendliness, allowing others to feel comfortable.
Related Reading: How to Interpret Nonverbal Messages in the Workplace
Space
Pay attention to your proximity to others. Different cultures view proximity in various ways, so
take notice if the person you’re communicating with is uncomfortable. This could mean that you
are standing too close, and should create some distance between the two of you. The amount of

11. physical space given can convey many emotions. For example, a person who is behaving
aggressively is probably standing very close to the other person.
Posture
Look at your posture. Slouching shows that you are not interested in what a person is saying.
Your body movement is also important. For example, swinging your leg back and forth while
sitting in a meeting tells others you are impatient, bored and uninterested. Sit up straight and face
others when talking.
Tones and Sounds
Your tone of voice and the sounds you make can communicate your thoughts to others without
your even speaking. If you receive directions from a manager and immediately grunt, you are
showing your manager that you do not agree with what he said. Your tone or sounds can inform
people of your anger, frustration or sarcasm. Avoid sighing repetitively or speaking in a high-
pitched voice. Speak softly and calmly.
REATIONSHIP BETWEEN VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Interpretive
• Both verbal and nonverbal communication requires interpretation. This interpretation can
yield a message significantly different from the original gesture or statement based on the
receiver's perception. The mood of the receiver is also significant. A positive mindset in
the receiver yields a significantly different message than a negative mindset. Personal
experience adds another element of interpretive static as the receiver's experiences can
alter the reception of the message.
Manipulative
• Verbal communication is manipulated through the use of lies. Nonverbal communication
allows for the same sort of manipulation by using specific gestures that convey an
inaccurate emotion -- for example, reassuring gestures or fake smiles meant to relax those
around you.
Emotion
• People use both verbal and nonverbal communication to express an emotional state, and
these are often used together for this purpose. Simple emotions such as happiness and
sadness are simple to convey using either medium, but more complex emotions such as
confusion, nervousness and self-doubt are also possible. You can also unintentionally
convey emotions using either medium. Nervousness, for instance, shows both through
broken speech patterns and stuttering, but also through gestures like wringing your hands
or popping your knuckles.

12. Identity
• Verbal speech patterns identify specifics about your life, such as where you grew up and
your level of education. Nonverbal communication is more subtle but does the same
thing. If you grew up in a specific region or country, you will use certain words that are
indicative of that area and use specific gestures that are not widely utilized elsewhere.
Your level of education is evident in the sophistication of your word choice but also in
the utilization of professional speech gestures that are gained though training.
Relationships
• Both forms of communication are important for maintaining healthy relationships. You
inspire open communication and inform your partner of your current emotional state.
You also use both to encourage and create intimacy between partners.
Regulate Conversations
• Both verbal and nonverbal communication alert others that you wish to speak or that you
are finished with your message. When people wish to speak, they open their mouths,
raise their eyebrows and can interject subtle words to draw attention to their expressions.
Upon completion, they close their mouths and draw back as a sign that they are done.
Nonverbal communication is universal to the human species. Research by Dr. Albert Mehrabian
suggests that approximately 55 percent of human communication is nonverbal, according to the
College of DuPage website. Barriers to nonverbal communication can occur for several reasons,
ranging from deliberate deception to cultural differences and problems in mental functioning.
BARRIERS TO NON VERAL COMMUNICATION
Developmental Disorders and Brain Dysfunction
Autism first appears in very young children and persists into adulthood, according to the Yale
School of Medicine. Autistic children and adults often display unusual nonverbal communication
gestures. They also frequently lack the ability to read social or nonverbal cues from other people,
according to the Helpguide and the Mayo Clinic websites.
Individuals who fall along the autism spectrum vary in the impairment of their abilities to
communicate. Approximately 50 percent of autistic individuals lack the ability to speak,
according to the Yale School of Medicine. However, individuals with Asperger's Syndrome
often have normal or even high intelligence, along with good verbal skills. Nonetheless, they
often give the impression of being eccentric or socially inept, according to Helpguide.
Aphasia, or the loss of ability to communicate, often occurs with brain tumors, stroke or brain
damage resulting from traumatic head injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. Aphasia affects the

13. ability to understand verbal and written language. The severity of aphasia depends on the extent
and location of brain damage.
Cultural Barriers
Cultural differences can also cause barriers in nonverbal communication. Different gestures often
have vastly different meanings to people of different cultures. For instance, waving the hand
vertically with the palm facing outward means "goodbye" in the United States, but can be
misinterpreted as meaning "come here" to someone from Korea, according to the Korea Times.
Asian cultures also often differ from Western cultures concerning eye contact.
Many Americans value direct eye contact as a sign of honesty. However, lowering your eyes is
seen as a sign of respect among many Asian cultures, the Ethnicity Online website explains.
Many Latin Americans and African Americans also avoid eye contact when they are being
"dressed down" as a sign of showing remorse, rather than as an attempt at evasiveness, according
to Joe Navarro, author of "What Every Body is Saying," writing for Psychology Today.
The need for personal space also varies across cultures, according to Ethnicity Online. Many
immigrant men feel uncomfortable sitting in close physical proximity with other males,
according to Gregorio Billikopf, author of "Party-Directed Mediation: Helping Others Resolve
Differences," writing for the Agricultural Labor Management of the University of California at
Berkeley. It is important to avoid making culturally-based generalizations, Billikopf warns.
Deceptive Gestures
Although nonverbal gestures often give away the truth when someone attempts to lie, spotting a
liar can be very difficult, according to Navarro. Nonverbal gestures considered in isolation can
lead to misinterpretation. For instance, many observers interpret hand wringing as a dead
giveaway of lying, when in fact it is often an indication of nervousness rather than deception.
One way to accurately determine deception is to inquire about a variety of subjects in a non-
accusing tone, while watching the respondent's reactions, Navarro explains.