This document discusses paralanguage, which refers to nonverbal communication through means other than language such as facial expressions, tones of voice, gestures, eye contact, and spatial arrangements. It notes that paralanguage includes both intentional and unintentional messages and may be complementary, unconscious, or learned. Some behaviors are universal while others are culturally specific. The functions of nonverbal communication include repeating, complementing, contradicting, and regulating verbal communication. Nonverbal communication is divided into kinesics, the study of body language and gestures, and proxemics, the study of use of space and touch. Cultural contexts are important for understanding nonverbal cues.

1. Paralanguage: Nonverbal Communication “ People are more frightened of being lonely than of being hungry, or being deprived of sleep, or of having their sexual needs unfulfilled” (Frieda Fromm Reichmenn).

2. Paralanguage: Communication by means other than language .

3. Paralanguage includes Facial expressions Tones of voice Gestures Eye contact Spatial arrangements Patterns of touch Expressive movements Silence

4. Paralanguage : refers to all nonverbal communication actions (Kinesics and Proxemics)

5. Paralanguage i ncludes intentional and unintentional nonverbal messages

6. Paralanguage may be: Complementary Unconscious Learned

7. Universals and Cultural Variations eyebrow flash, the nose wrinkle basic emotions: --happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, anger, and surprise

8. The functions of nonverbal communication To repeat what was said verbally To complement what was said verbally To contradict what was said verbally To substitute for what would be said verbally To regulate and manage the communication event

9. Nonverbal communication divided into Kinesic and Proxemic acts Kinesics: The study of nonverbal gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and body posture Proxemics: The study of the use of space, touch, and distance as features of nonverbal communication.

10. Inborn Nonverbal Actions Smiling Crying

11. Universality versus Relativism Birdwhistell (1970) Emblems: are gestures understood by participant of a communicative community to express a specific meaning

12. Cultural Specific Emblems Can you guess what the following gestures from Japan, France and Iran mean?

13. Could reflect social status and gender: In North America Dominance versus subordination ---more space--- take less space ---stare at others --- less eye contact --- smile more-- smile less

14. Dangers of overgeneralizations Cannot assume everybody in a culture behaves the same way Infrequent actions should not be used to characterize a culture We should not ignore that nonverbal behaviors are part of complex communication processes

15. How do we communicate with those we don’t know? Leonard Zunin (The First Four Minutes, 1972) Three common behaviours: Which side of the path” look I acknowledge you” look Look—away priority”

16. Proxemics Edward, T Hall in 1963 refers to touch and issues of personal space

18. Distance Between Faces Tone of Voice Type of Message very close (3-6 inches) soft whisper top secret or sensual close (8-12 inches) audible whisper very confidential neutral (20-36 inches) soft voice, low volume personal subject matter neutral (4.5-5 feet) full voice non-personal information across the room (8-20 feet) loud voice talking to a group stretching the limit

23. All nonverbal communication is best understood within cultural context Body movements Eye contact Facial expressions Touch

24. Silence also part of nonverbal communication Sends nonverbal clues during communication Culturally determined Igbo s of Nigeria

25. Do you think that by studying nonverbal patterns can help us identify our own ethnocentric attitudes?