Non-verbal communication refers to communicating through means other than words, such as facial expressions, gestures, body language, tone of voice, and how people use space. It provides additional context and meaning beyond what is said verbally. Some key types of non-verbal communication include facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye contact, touch, use of space, and vocal elements like tone, pace, and volume of speech. Non-verbal signals can accurately reflect feelings and intentions even when they contradict spoken words. Understanding non-verbal aspects of communication is important for fully interpreting messages.

1. Non-verbal communication
• Non-verbal communication is the sending or receiving of wordless
messages. We can say that communication other than oral and
written, as gesture, body language, posture, tone of voice or facial
expressions, is called non-verbal communication.
• Non-verbal communication helps receiver in interpreting the
message received. Frequently, non-verbal signals reflect the
situation more accurately than verbal messages. Sometimes non-
verbal response contradicts verbal communication and thus
affects the effectiveness of message.

3. • Meaning of Non-verbal Communication
• Non-verbal communication is communication without using words or speech. Non-verbal
communication is thus the wordless message received through the medium of gestures, signs,
body movements, facial expressions, tone of voice, colour, time, space, style of writing, etc. Non-
verbal communication is also called silent language or the language of signs and gestures.
• We can define non-verbal communication in the following ways:
• Non-verbal communication is communication through any means other than words.
• It is the transmission of message by some medium other than speech or writing.
• It refers to all external stimuli other than the spoken or written words and that includes body
motion, characteristics of voice, appearance, and space distancing.
• It is the communication that uses non-linguistic means to convey the message.
• It refers to the transfer of meaning by body-language, space, time and paralanguage.

4. Non-verbal communication has the following
three elements:
• Appearance: Speaker: clothing, hairstyle, neatness, use of cosmetics.
• Surrounding: room size, lighting, decorations, furnishings.
• Body Language: Facial expressions, gestures, postures.
• Sounds: Voice tone, Volume, Speech rate.
• Non-verbal communication, or body language, is a critical form of communication
– a natural, unconscious language that broadcasts our true feelings and purposes
in any given moment, and clues us in to the feelings and intentions of those
around us.

5. • 7 Types of Non verbal communication are briefly explained below:
• Facial expressions
• Body movements and posture
• Gestures
• Eye contact
• Touch
• Space
• Voice

6. • Facial expressions
• The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without saying a word. And
unlike some forms of non-verbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for
happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
• Body movements and posture
• Believe how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand up, or hold their head.
The way you move and carry yourself communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of non-
verbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and elusive movements.
• Gestures
• Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when we’re
arguing or speaking animatedly – expressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. Nevertheless,
the meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so it’s important to be careful to
avoid misinterpretation.
•

7. • Eye contact
• Because the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is a particularly important type of non-
verbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest,
affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also crucial in maintaining the flow of conversation and for
gauging the other person’s response.
• Touch
• We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by the following: a firm
handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, an assuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat on
the head, or a controlling grip on your arm.
• Space
• Have you ever felt uneasy during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and
invading your space? We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending upon the
culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate
many different non-verbal messages, including signals of intimacy, aggression, dominance, or affection.
•

8. • Voice
• It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. When we speak, other
people “read” our voices in addition to heeding to our words. Things
they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you
speak, your tone and inflection, and sounds that convey
understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.”
• Example: Think about how tone of voice, can show sarcasm, anger,
affection, or confidence.