Non Verbal

Learning the Art of Non-verbal Communication

“Non-verbal Communication” refers to the type of communication which involves speech or words. By non-verbal communication, we mean all communication that involves neither written nor spoken words but occurs without the use of words. Thus, this is the wordless message received through the medium of gestures, signs, body movements, facial expressions, tone of voice, colour, time, space, style of writing and choice of words.

Animals communicate their deepest feelings through gestures, cries, whistling, cooing and many other signals known to each other. It is we human beings, who have evolved the language of words to convey our thoughts in a structured manner. Still, many a times, we tend to convey many of our feelings by smiling, patting, frowning, shouting or other such wordless clues. At other times, we also lace our words with different tones, gestures and facial expressions, to give a deeper meaning to our words.

 

The verbal and non-verbal messages together form the total meaning of the message communicated. There is something said and something implied with every message communicated. For a full understanding of the message, we should know what has been communicated through words

and without them.

Characteristics of Non-verbal Communication

The following are the key characteristics of non-verbal communication:

1. It is instinctive in nature: Non-verbal communication is quite instinctive in nature, that is, it indicates the attitude, instincts and feelings of the speaker.

2. It is less conscious: Words are spoken after due thinking and with conscious effort. Depending on the situation we have to make a more or less conscious effort in these/choice of words. The non-verbal part of communication, on the other hand, is less deliberate and conscious as most of the expressions, gestures, etc included in non-verbal communication are mostly unconsciously expressed, as the speaker may not even be aware of these signs.

3. It is subtle in nature: Spoken and written words are quite obvious and easy to see, listen and understand, whereas, non-verbal communication is very subtle, and needs skill to be

understood and expressed.

4. It is complimentary to verbal communication: Non-verbal communication does not stand alone on its own and neither does it completely substitute Communication with words; it complements Verbal Communication and makes it more effective. As an example, when we watch a movie, the dialogues are made more impressive by the way they are delivered, with the modulations in the voice, other gestures and signals.

5. It forms the larger part of the overall communication activity: On scientific analysis it has been found that the different aspects of communication account for percentages stated

below

Extent of Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal Communication speaks much louder than words.

“A cry of agony is powerful than a tale of woe”.

Classification of Non-verbal Communication

Exchange of messages without words, which take place between two parties, fall within the category of non-verbal communication. It includes all wordless signs, symbols, gestures, facial expressions, colours, setting of the surroundings, time, and so on. The non-verbal communication can be classified into the following categories:

1. Kinesics: Body Language

2. Proxemics: Space Language

3. Time Language

4. Para Language

5. Sign Language

Kinesics or Body Language:

‘Kinesics’ literally means ‘body movements’. Bodily movements, gestures and body language is an

important factor, especially in face to face communication, as here the message is communicated by a number of factors like facial expressions, eye movements, gestures. Body language is the reflection of thought, feelings and position.

All bodily movements, postures, gestures etc., are guided by our thought processes, emotions etc. By nodding our head, blinking our eyes, waving our hands, shrugging our shoulders and various other ways we send out signals and messages that often speak louder than words.

That is why this area of enquiry has been called ‘body language’. Just as language uses sets of symbols to convey meaning, our body, consciously as well as unconsciously or instinctively, carries messages, attitudes, status relationships, moods, warmth/indifference, positive/negative

feelings and so on. We have, however, to infer these meanings from body symbols. We look for these symbols in the face and eyes, gestures, posture, and physical appearance each of which has its own functions.

Importance of Body Language:

Regarding the importance of body language, management consultant Nancy Austin says. “When people don’t know whether to believe that they are hearing or what they are seeing, they go with the body language- it tells the truth. You can play fast and loose with words, but it’s much more difficult to do that with gestures.” Psychologist Paul Ekman says, “We talk with our vocal cords, but we communicate with our facial expressions, our tone of voice, our whole body”.

Kinesics or Body Language includes:

1. Facial Expressions

2. Eye Contact

3. Gestures

4. Body Shape and Posture

5. Appearance

Facial Expressions: A popular saying goes like this “The face is the index of the heart”. Whatever we feel deep within ourselves is at once reflected in the face. It is very important in any

face-to-face communication event. We convey so much without speaking a word.

Example: Let us consider the facial expressions generally associated with happiness, surprise, fear, anger, sadness, bewilderment, astonishment and contentment. Let us also consider

a smile, different kinds of smile, a frown, corners of lips the position of the eye brows, the cheekswhether drawn up or back or dropping, the jaw, nose/nostrils and the chin.

We can easily mark all the signals sent through these parts of the face by others and observe our own expressions by looking at ourselves in a mirror. Every facial muscle is an instrument of communication.

The face and eyes are the most expressive means of body communication. Dale Leather has found that 10 basic classes of meaning can be communicated by facial expression. They are:

Happiness

Surprise

Fear

Anger

Sadness

Disgust

Contempt

Interest

Bewilderment

Determination

Eye Contact: The eyes play an important role in face-to-face communication. Eye contact is one

of the most powerful forms of non-verbal communication. When we look at somebody’s face we focus primarily on his eyes and try to understand what he means. The eyes, along with the

eyebrows, eyelids and the size of pupils convey our innermost feelings.

Authority relationship as well as intimate relationships are frequently initiated and maintained with eye contact. Eye contact builds emotional relationship between the listeners and speaker.

Eyebrows and eyelids raised and combined with dilated pupils tell us that the person is excited, surprised or frightened.

Eyebrows with upper and lower eyelids closed and combined with constricted pupils tell us that the person is angry or in pain.

Looking at somebody for a long time shows the intensity of our interest in him. If the eye contact is brief, or we take our eyes off the person very soon, it indicates nervousness of embarrassment on our part. Prolonged eye contact can signal admiration.

Direct eye contact of more than 10 seconds can create discomfort and anxiety.

Generally people’s eyes approach what they like and avoid what they do not like. Eye contact between a speaker and audience increases the audience’s assessment of the speaker as a credible source.

People generally maintain more eye gaze and mutual eye gaze with those whose approval they want, those to whom they bring good news, and those to whom they like. They also

do so with people towards whom they feel positive and whom they know and trust.

Averted eyes show anger, hurt feelings, and a hesitancy to reveal the inner self. They also reveal negativism and the need to increase psychological distance as in an elevator, waiting

room, or other small space.

Eye behavior communicates in many ways. It shows emotions. It establishes conversational regulators. It also monitors feedback. It serves as a reminder. The eyes not only supply information, they receive it as well. Major aspects of communication are covered through eyes. Of course, eye

contact and eye movements convey-their meaning in combination with other facial expressions.

Gestures: In addition to facial expressions and eye contact, another import element of kinesics is the use of gestures. Gestures are the physical movements of arms, legs, hands, torso and head, made to express or help to express thought or to emphasize speech. They play a very important

role in conveying meaning without using words.

Ekman and Friesen have identified five types of body gestures:

Emblems: A large number of body movements have come to be identified as a substitute for verbal translations. They often replace verbal message entirely. Such symbols become emblems. The list is long and comprehensive and it includes about seventy of such emblems.

Illustrators: They are directly tied to verbal language. These gestures illustrate the words, which a speaker is saying. When a speaker says, “My third and final point is…” and holds up three fingers, this gesture is an illustrator.

Regulators: Regulators control oral communication by alerting the sender to the need to hurry up, slow down, or repeat something.

Example: Frequent glances at the watch or drumming finger on the table when someone is talking with other.

When someone is delivering a long speech and the other person wants to restrict him, the other person may show his watch to regulate the other person.

Displays: These indicate emotional states, such as anger or embarrassment, and usually

occur in facial expressions. Display differs from the three previous types in that people have for less control over them. Many people, for example, have felt their faces turning red because they were angry or embarrassed. However, there is little, which they can do to control this effect display.

Adaptors: They are the gestures over which people have little control. Frequently people are not conscious of performing such gestures. Stifling a yawn or clasping the hands to the face in fear are adaptor gestures. They are automatic and are not planned.

It is important to note that gestures are not used individually but in relation to another person, and acquire meaning at particular times. Speech and gestures go together, and, therefore, have to be properly coordinated. In the absence of speech-gesture-co-ordination, we experience confusion and discomfort. Although Gestures are spontaneous, we can learn to monitor and use the positive gestures and minimize the negative ones.

Positive gestures: Positive gestures are body signals which make us look relaxed, confident and polite.

Positive listening gestures include:

Leaning a little towards the speaker

Tilting the head

Eye contact with the speaker

Gently nodding the head in agreement.

Good speaking Gestures include:

Keeping the hands open

Avoiding clutching them or folding them across the chest.

Walking with the head upright, hands swinging freely by the sides.

l: Negative gestures include body movements which give a negative impression about us. These are categorized as below:

Signs of Nervousness:

Hands in the pocket

Covering the mouth with the hand while speaking

Scratching

Biting nails

Glancing sideways

Drumming fingers

Tapping the feet

Wringing hands

Crossed arms or legs

Setting the hair with hands

Sitting on the edge of the chair

Speaking too fast, or too slow

Straightening the tie

Clearing the throat too often

Blinking the eyes a lot

Clicking the pen

Playing with the paper weight

Adjusting the glasses up the nose

Head, Body Shape and Posture

Head: In any face-to-face communication or meeting or interview the way we hold our head is

very important. Everybody is aware of the age-old saying. “Hold your head high”. It is a sign Space Language.

The spacer around its contents convey a definite meaning. Of course, it requires some effort on our part to arrange them meaningfully, and on the part of others to understand or interpret the meaning. In other words, it tells that how people communicate with space.

How close or far they stand in relation to another person, where they sit in a room, or how they arrange the office

furniture which has a real impact on communication.

One of the major writers on this type of communication is anthropologist Edward T. Hall. He has identified three major types of space: feature-fixed space, semi-fixed feature space, and personal space.

1. Feature-fixed space: Feature-fixed space refers to buildings and other fairly permanent structure, such as walls. The manner in which buildings are laid out and the sequence of rooms and offices have a considerable influence on communication. The person will probably communicate more with those individuals whose offices are closer to his own rather than with those further from him. There are evidences which reveal that bigger the fixed place, the higher will be the status of the individual in an organization.

2. Semi-fixed feature space: The placement and arrangement of moveable objects, such as desk and chairs, is referred to as semi-fixed feature space. Currently, a great deal of emphasis is placed on how business offices are arranged. In addition, the quality of furniture has considerable influence on the status of the individuals and this is clearly communicated non-verbally.

Frequently, the superior person will come from behind the desk and his faceto-face with the subordinate to make it easier to communicate.

3. Personal space: Our interaction with the people around us has rather a well-defined or well-understood spatial dimension. Conversely we can say that the spatial dimension or distance between us and other people tells us something important about our relations and the nature of our communication with them. This branch of proxemics has come

to be regarded as “personal space language”. Edward T. Hall has done very useful and interesting work in this area. Placing ourselves in the centre we can present the space

around us in the form of the following concentric circles:

(a) Intimate zone – physical contact/touch to 18 inches.

(b) Personal zone – 18 inches to 4 feet.

(c) Social zone – 4 to 12 feet.

(d) Public zone – 12 feet to as far as we can see and hear.

Intimate distance/zone: This ranges from actual physical contact to about 18 inches from another person.

Communication and interaction within this distance are intimate activities. Mostly, only our family members, closest friends and selected people enter this area. Those selected people are indeed ‘special’ people, whatever

the reasons for their special status. It has special significance for our communication with these people.

In the language used within this small, intimate, perhaps private circle, not many words are used. In organizations, confidential information is often communicated

within the intimate distance. When two friends meet each other after a long gap, they hug each other. Eye contact, handshake, pat on the back or shoulders is quite noticeable. The major form of intimate contact in business organization is of course,

the handshake. Most people respond positively to men who give a firm handshake.

Personal distance/zone: This range from 18 inches to four feet. Interaction in this zone includes causes and friendly conversation including conversation with close friends, colleagues, associates and visitors. Here we rise above the closed circle of intimacy around us. Although communication in this circle is also mostly personal in nature, it is relaxed and casual for most of the time. It permits spontaneous unprogrammed

talking or discussion. However, certain important decisions may be taken in thiscircle.

Social distance/zone: It ranges from four feet to about twelve feet and has very aptly been called the social space. We use this space mostly for formal purposes, and the relationships within this circle are more official. We do most of our business within this area. While feelings, emotions, shared likes and dislike may come up in the

intimate and ‘personal’ space, more reason and planning are used in the ‘social’ space. It is therefore, of paramount importance in business. Much of the communication in

organizations is done in the social zone.

Public distance/zone: It ranges from 12 feet to the limits of visibility and hearing. Communication at public distance is considered in public speaking. A good deal of communication within and outside an organization takes place at this range.

We can very well imagine the nature of communications/speaking in this space becomes even more formal. The attachment of the ‘intimate’ and ‘personal’ space is substituted by the detachment of perception, objectivity of approach and formality of communication/speaking. We have to raise our voice so as to be heard by others whose group is almost always larger in this space. That is why it has been called ‘public’ space.

Space Use

Proxemics is also concerned with the use of space by groups of people. The ways groups of people use the space assigned to them determines their respective places and interaction patterns. For example, people who begin conversation and those seated at the front are usually considered leaders of the group. If the same people are seated in a row, their communication pattern will be of a different nature. People seated around an oval table are likely to communicate in the form of a conference.

Everyone is aware of some of the ways space is used to communicate in business organizations. Experts have identified three basics principles about the use of space as it relates to status within the organization:

1. For higher status people in the organization, more and better quality space is allotted.

Example: In many organizations, the president has the most attractive office, while the vice president, the department’s heads, and lower level employees have smaller offices.

The number of windows in the office and the way the office is furnished are also commensurate with rank of position. This is clearly evident that better the quality place, the higher will be position or status of the individual.

2. The higher people in the organization are being protected within their territory. Their

territories are closed. Many times the more status a person has in the organization, the more difficult it is to see that person. Outer offices and secretaries often are used to protect

the high-status person. Even gates are manned with security people of such people.

3. For higher people in the organization, it is easier to invade the territory of lower status personnel. The superiors usually can enter the subordinate’s office at will. The supervisor also has the ability to phone the subordinate at almost any time. This is the privilege.

However, the subordinate usually does not have his access to the supervisor.

Surroundings

Our surroundings or physical environment speak their own nonverbal language. It is a vast area. It is, therefore, worthwhile to cover only two important aspects of our physical contextcolour and layout or design for purpose of nonverbal communication. Through our sensory perception we get meaning from our surroundings, in the same way as through our choice of

colour and design we send out definite signals to others.

Colours

Most of us know that different colours are associated with different behaviour patterns, attitudes and cultural backgrounds. People make serious efforts to choose the right colour for any significant moment and indifference to choice of colour is regarded as lack of cultivation.

Some colours are universally known to be associated with gaiety, cheerfulness or pleasant circumstances. Pink, yellow, red, purple, blue, green are gay colours. Black and gray, on the other

hand, are associated with negative feelings, melancholy or somber mood. White is generally associated with purity or peace. All this shows that there exists what we may call a ‘colour

language’. For successful communication it is important to have the right choice of colour of our

clothing, home and office interiors, upholstery and decoration pieces.

Layout and Design

Like ‘colour language’, there is also a ‘layout and design language’ as a part of non-verbal communication. The space arrangement of an office, carpeting or its absence, the furniture and its design everything conveys a meaning. Everybody is impressed by a ‘tastefully’ furnished office, the layout of a lobby/dining hall/conference room/reception desk. It is for this very reason that so much attention is being paid to the architecture and furnishing of offices/hotels/houses of executives in modern times. All this is aimed at conveying the mood/personality/outlook/

vision of the organization. Behind all this is the vision of the successful communicators.

Time Language

Time language is another type of nonverbal communication. In it we communicate with others in terms of time by showing them, in our own cultural way, what time means to us. We do this mostly by symbolizing time, and by sending out signals regarding the importance of time and so on. In this connection, it is important to note that ‘time management’ is now one of the most important parts of the overall management. TMI (Time Managers International) is one of the most important American consultancy companies. It renders valuable advice to business organizations in respect of optimal use of time.

Business community all over the world knows the worth of time. It has been pointed out that “scientific managers of the late 1800’s equated the worth of time with money.” And then we are

reminded repeatedly that “time is money”. It is this consciousness of the worth or importance of time and its crucial role in productivity that has led to the invention of many time saving devices.

In fact time pervades our thinking and dominates our communication. All communication is meant to be suitably timed. We get/send out/covert signals about whether anybody/anything

is early or late. While people in the West are very much time conscious and attach highest importance to punctuality, people in the East have a more relaxed attitude to it.

The way we use and structure time can send intentional and unintentional message about what we value and whom we considered important. This is called chromatics. 

Para Language

Closer to actual verbal (oral) communication, and always accompanying body language,

is paralanguage. It is non-verbal because it does not involve words. But without it words do not convey their intended meaning, ‘Para’ means ‘like’. Hence, ‘para language’ literally means

‘like language’ and ‘paralinguistic’ is the systematic study of how a speaker verbalizes his words/speech. It is defined as “a type of non-verbal communication that includes articulation, pronunciation, rate, pitch, volume, pauses and other vocal qualities. While verbal communication

consists of the ‘what’ or the content of words, paralanguage involves the ‘how’ of a speaker’s voice or the way in which the speaker speaks. On careful observation and analysis we find that a speaker intentionally as well as unintentionally uses a vast range of hints and signals”.

If someone asks his friend to go to movie or to a particular restaurant for dinner – one may respond, ‘Yes, I would love to go’ but let his tone of voice betrays his words and convey that he has little or no interest in going. The reaction of his friend to the response will communicate the

message is right direction. At times people mean to communicate a particular message through the use of paralanguage.

Example: The phrase “I would like to help you” can convey several meanings, depending upon the para language employed. By changing emphasis on each of the words of this sentence, different meaning may be drawn.

Voice

The first signal we receive or use is our voice. Everybody knows how important voice is. It tells us so much about the speaker’s sex, background, education, training and temperament.

There are all kinds of voices – clear, musical, raucous, cultivated, pleasant, unpleasant . Unless damaged by some injury to the vocal cords or neurological problem, the human voice normally does a satisfactory job. In other words it conveys the meaning of the message. In certain jobs it is absolutely necessary for the applicant or employee to have a clear and pleasant voice. 

For example, jobs involving the use of telephone, announcing, tape-recording etc. require very clear voice.

The message, however, may not be effectively conveyed if we do not take care of the following points in the use of our voice:

1. Pitch Variation: Most of us introduce wide variations in pitch while speaking. It is necessary to catch the listener’s attention and to keep him interested in us. Those who speak in monotones (single tone, without variation) fail to keep the listener’s attention.

That is why the word ‘monotonous’ has come to be used as a synonym for ‘boring’. Many speakers are not aware of this weakness on their part. Once they become aware of it, the

problem can be solved.

A high pitch may indicate nervousness, anxiety, tension, fear, surprise, dynamism, anger, joy, cheerfulness, or impatience. A low pitch may show affection, sadness, boredom,

pleasantness, intimacy or empathy.

2. Speaking speed: Fluency in a language is not the same thing as the speed of speaking. We do, however, speak at different speeds on different occasions and while conveying different parts of message. As a general rule we should present the easy parts of a message at a brisk

pace because it is likely to be understood easily and soon. On the other hand, the difficult, complicated, highly technical part of information should be conveyed at a slower pace.

3. Pause: The pace or speed of speaking is also accompanied by pause. We cannot, and should

not, go on speaking without pausing voluntarily or involuntarily. But the pauses have to be at the right moments. Incorrect use of pauses can create problems. A pause can be highly

effective in emphasizing the upcoming subject and in gaining the listener’s attention. But it must also be noted that frequent, arbitrary pauses spoil the speech and distract the listener’s

attention. It is, therefore, very important for a speaker to carefully monitor his pauses.

4. Non-fluencies: Speech is not always a continuous string of meaningful words. There are, as we have noted above, pauses scattered at intervals. These pauses are very often inserted with sounds or utterances like ‘ah’, ‘oh’, ‘uh’, ‘um’, ‘you know’, ‘ok’ etc. 

They are also sometimes inserted with laughing, yawning or chuckling. Sometimes they may be effective by inviting the listener’s attention or by giving a nonverbal edge to the verbal

communication. They are called ‘non-fluencies’. It is rather interesting to see that carefully and sparingly used they add to the fluency of the speaker, give him time to breathe or relax, make the listener more alert and get the message conveyed overtly or covertly. But too frequent insertion of these non-fluencies irritates the listener.

5. Volume variation: Volume is another voice quality that frequently conveys meanings, especially in conjunction with rate. We must speak loud enough for all of our audience to hear, but not too loud. The loudness of our voice should be adjusted according to the size of our audience. Softness and loudness in volume determines the meaning specifically. Voice volume tends to vary with emotional and personality characteristics. Loudness of voice seems to occur in conjunction with anger, cheerfulness, joy, strength, fearlessness, activity,and high status. Softness in volume appears with affection, boredom, sadness, intimacy,

empathy, fear, passivity, weakness, and low status.

6. Pronunciation: People pronounce words differently. There variations in pronunciation convey different meanings to different people.

Mixed Signals: Very often problems arise because of ‘mixed signals – saying one thing in one way and using words that convey the opposite meaning. It should be our constant effort to make sure that the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of our message are in harmony. As receivers, we should concentrate on how the message is sent and the meaning of the words. All communication takes place within

a matrix of role-relationships, particular contexts, at particular times, in a particular language or a dialect of that language, at regional, national or international levels, and so on. All these factors influence the paralinguistic character of the communication. If the signals get mixed up, the intended message will not be conveyed, or will be wrongly or inadequately interpreted.

Any properly educated person is careful about his voice quality, stress, production of vowel and consonant sounds, consonant-clusters, sound in connected speech, suitably spaced pauses and so on. There must be consistency between what is intended and what is conveyed.

Sign Language

Communication is a process involving the use of mutually understood signs/symbols between the sender and the receiver of a message or piece of information. Language is the most sophisticated or systematic set of symbols. The evolution of any language takes a long time, normally running in centuries. But communication has always been taking place.

From time immemorial man has been using signs and symbols mutually understood between at least two persons, and more usually among people belonging to a group or tribe, or trade. These signs, symbols, signals and indicators have generally been of two types-visual and audio or sound signals. Smell, touch and taste also communicate because sensory perception and impressions are a necessary part of human existence.

But the most powerful or effective of them is the visual element. That is why

we have the Chinese proverb, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. The reason is that we take much of our information – more than 50 percent – through the gateway of our eyes.

Visual Signs

Regarding the importance of visual element in communication, Lesikar and Pettit say, “As we know from our study of communication theory, words are imprecise conveyors of meaning.

Thus, it is little wonder that we frequently have difficulty in communicating through words…

You will need to use pictures of some kind to help communicate your information.”

1. How effectively pictures communicate becomes clear from the paintings, murals and engravings found on the walls of ancient caves, temples and such other buildings. They tell us a lot about the tribes or races or rulers or traders, their religion, their hunting or other

adventurous deeds, their art and so on. Their symbolic and communicative value has been a subject of serious study.

2. The tradition of drawing pictures for communicative purpose continues. Posters and pictures-big and small, real-life drawings as well as cartoons/caricatures, statues and

effigies are freely used for general information as also for business purposes. Everybody is familiar with the picture of ghastly, skeletal paws symbolizing the deadly, grip of drugs

and so on.

3. Maps and diagrams are an essential part of a book of geography, science, economics and history in the same way as no pamphlet of tourism and hotel industry, oil refinery or motor

company is complete without nice-looking colorful photographs. 

4. In the same way lights-green or red at traffic points, railway stations and airports, a red bulb outside the operation theatre of a hospital, a neon hoarding, a revolving light an top

of a VIP vehicle or an ambulance serve their purpose very effectively without using words. Lights are also used to indicate whether somebody is in or out, and to mark the celebration

of a special occasion. Colours of flags, white or black and the colours of flowers in a vase or bouquet speak volumes about the feelings of the communicator.

Many of these drawings and photographs have a local or somewhat limited appeal in the sense that, at a time, only a particular section of people will be interested in them. But a very much larger number of signs, and symbols speak a ‘universal language’ understood by anybody anywhere.

Audio/Sound Signals. Side by side with visual, signals, audio or sound signals have always been in use since the very

beginning or civilization, and have very conveniently been adopted by the world of business.

Different kinds of drumbeat were used by people living in jungles in olden times, as we are told in our history and geography books. But drumbeating is very much in use in modern times also

to convey or share different kinds of feelings on different occasions or celebrations. In one way or another drumbeating is essential part of many communities’ culture. Its immediate impact is to arouse and gather the hearers.

Closely allied to drumbeats, so for as volume is concerned, are the alarm signals. There are various kinds of alarm signals, fire alarms, accident, casualty alarms, air raid or assault alarms, VIP motorcade alarms, machine breakdown alarm and so on. Various kinds of sirens, hooters,

whistlers etc., are used for these purposes. The main idea is to caution the listener and take the right step. Blowing a horn serves a similar purpose. A clock or watch alarms makes us aware of time and

programme our schedule.

No office is complete without a buzzer, press button bell, electrically operated bell and other such sound signaling systems. They put the concerned people on alert, send out signals whether a visitor is welcome or whether it is time to leave.

Touch

This mode of communication is our earliest means of making contact with others. It has actually become essential to human development. Babies and children need to be touched in order to

grow, flourish, and avoid numerous health problems. Touch even seems to improve a child’s mental functioning as well as physical health. In our life touch plays an important role in how we respond to others and to our environment, and it can communicate many messages. When we appreciate someone, we pat on his back. Parents and elders bless their younger ones by touching their head. Younger people express respect by touching the feet of elderly people. By shaking hands, we show our warmth and affection to each other. When two friends after a long gap hug each other, it shows their warmth and affection. Touching can show tenderness, affection, encouragement and the full range of emotions.

Example: The infant begins its communicative life largely through the sense of touch. As the baby is a hugged, kissed, cradled, cuddled and stroked, human exchange being to unfold. Psychologists contend that the denial of extensive touching can have untold negative impact upon the infant’s development.

Touching actions serve as regulators. They act as both conveyors and elicitors of positive as well as negative feelings. Touching conveys the total range from highly impersonal to highly personal meanings. The touch will be of four types:

1. Intimate touch: A child and mother usually touch to each other to shower affection. Two friends/brothers meet each other after a long gap is also an intimate touch.

2. Friendly touch: When two people meet, they touch their shoulders and back to show their warmth and it is a friendly touch.

3. Professional touch: Doctor examines their patients by touching. Surgeons operate their patients.

4. Social touch: Handshake is one of the commonest forms of this kind of touch. When a teacher touches his student to encourage him, it is social touch. By touching the head of younger ones, blessings are bestowed by the elder ones.

It's even more difficult to decipher meaning in nonverbal communication. Although we may occasionally deduce what people are saying through their nonverbal communication, there is no infallible "dictionary" for deciphering nonverbal information. The process of expressing a message without using words is known as nonverbal communication. Gestures and facial expressions, tone of voice, timing, posture, and where you stand while communicating are all examples. It can aid or obstruct proper comprehension of your message, but it doesn't reveal (and in some cases, even masks) what you're really thinking. Nonverbal communication is far from straightforward, and its intricacy makes its study and comprehension a valuable but difficult objective.

What is the difference between a wink and a nod? Nonverbal communication encompasses the complete body, the area it occupies and controls, the time it interacts, and not only what isn't said, but also how it isn't stated. Confused? If you try to concentrate on just one aspect of nonverbal communication, it will quickly become lost amid the other inputs. Let's take a look at eye contact. What does it mean to indicate interest or communicate a threat without context, chin posture, or eyebrows? It's difficult to understand one part, or even a series of elements, because nonverbal activity flows nearly effortlessly from one to the next.

Time appears to be linear, traveling in a straight line. We completed one assignment, are currently working on another, and are always planning to complete other tasks. We may put more attention on the future or the past, forgetting that whether we focus on "the now" or not, we are always living in the current moment. As long as we are alive, nonverbal communication is in motion, and it is never the same twice.

Nonverbal communication cannot be reversed. You can write a clarification, correction, or retraction in written communication. While it never totally removes the original statement, it does allow for correction. Oral communication, unlike written communication, may allow for "do-overs" on the spot: you can explain and restate your idea in the hopes of clarifying it. You can also dig a little deeper into the hole you're in. Sometimes we'd do anything to go back and do the things right, but we all know we won't be able to. Oral communication, like written communication, allows for some editing, but it still leaves the original message and its impact intact. It's taken a step further with nonverbal communication. You can't isolate one nonverbal act from the rest of the verbal and nonverbal communication actions, and you can't take it back.

Nonverbal communication is continuous in the sense that it occurs constantly during a speech, and because it is so fluid, it can be difficult to tell where one nonverbal message begins and another ends. We can readily identify and extract words, but if we try to isolate a speaker's gestures, grin, or position without considering how they all fit together in context, we risk missing the meaning and drawing the incorrect conclusion. This is an important component of public speaking to be aware of since, as another old adage goes, "actions speak louder than words." This is true in the sense that people are more likely to notice your nonverbal expressions than your words. As a result, nonverbal communication can enhance (or subtract from) your ability to effectively communicate your message to the audience.

Nonverbal Communication Is Fast

Your emotional response is immediate. If the e-mail could see your face, they would know that your response was one of disbelief and frustration, even anger, all via your nonverbal communication. When a tree falls in the forest it makes a sound, even if no one is there to hear it. In the same way, you express yourself via nonverbal communication all the time without much conscious thought at all. You may think about how to share the news with your partner, and try to display a smile and a sense of calm when you feel like anything but smiling.

Nonverbal communication gives our thoughts and feelings away before we are even aware of what we are thinking or how we feel. People may see and hear more than you ever anticipated. Your nonverbal communication includes both intentional and unintentional messages, but since it all happens so fast, the unintentional ones can contradict what you know you are supposed to say or how you are supposed to react.

Nonverbal Communication Is Universal

Consider the various circumstances in which you engage during the day. We could go on and on about what we do in the morning, at work, after work, at home, with friends, with family, and so on. Consider how nonverbal communication differs in each of these situations. Do you like to bounce up and down at work and say whatever you want? Why do you think that is? You may not take part in such behavior at work because of expectations, but the reality remains that you are surrounded by nonverbal communication from the moment you wake up until you sleep.

Your entire life would be very different if you were born in a different nation, to different parents, and possibly as a member of opposing sex Nonverbal communication, on the other hand, would remain a global constant. It may not look the same or be utilized in the same way, but its numerous functions and displays will still be nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal Messages Communicate Feelings and Attitudes

Three further principles of interpersonal nonverbal communication are relevant to our discussion. One of them is that you react faster than you think. Before you can comprehend it through language or construct an appropriate answer, your nonverbal reactions express your first reaction. You may give away your genuine feelings and attitudes if your suitable, spoken response does not match your nonverbal reply.

We rarely express emotional messages through the spoken word. We convey our emotions nonverbally 93 percent of the time, with facial gestures accounting for at least 55 percent. Feelings and attitudes can also be deduced from vocal cues, body position and movement, and the normative space between speaker and receiver.

Is your initial emotional reaction is always an accurate and truthful portrayal of your feelings and views, or does it alter over time? We are all constantly changing, and a flash of rage or fury can occasionally communicate to the recipient a sensation or emotion that occurred for a brief moment but has since passed. Even if you've already resolved the issue, their response to your contact will be based on that perception. Here's where the spoken word comes in handy. You may have needed to express your dissatisfaction loudly in the past, but that is no longer necessary. The words said aloud can help to clarify things and spark more discussion.

We Believe Nonverbal Communication More than Verbal

Most individuals believe nonverbal messages above spoken messages. People frequently respond that "actions speak louder than words" and place an undue focus on nonverbal responses. Humans aren't always logical, and their feelings and attitudes change throughout time. Nonetheless, we place greater trust on nonverbal communication, particularly when it comes to deception.

• Reduction in eye contact while engaged in a conversation
• Awkward pauses in conversation
• Higher pitch in voice
• Deliberate pronunciation and articulation of words
• Increased delay in response time to a question
• Increased body movements like changes in posture
• Decreased smiling
• Decreased rate of speech

If you detect one or more of the behaviors, you should investigate more. We learn people's speech and behavior patterns over time and develop a set of expectations. Variation from their established patterns, when combined with the indicators listed above, might serve as a warning that something needs to be looked into further.

You should look into one or more of the behaviors if you notice one or more of them. Over time, we create a set of expectations based on people's speech and behavior patterns. When paired with the indicators given above, deviation from their established patterns may serve as a warning that something needs to be investigated further.

Is it possible to teach yourself to spot lies? It's really unlikely. Our goal in studying nonverbal communication is to help you learn how to use nonverbal parts of communication to promote comprehension, not to find dishonesty in others.

Is it possible to teach yourself to spot lies? It's really unlikely. Our goal in studying nonverbal communication is to help you learn how to use nonverbal parts of communication to promote comprehension, not to find dishonesty in others.

We are already sizing each other up when we first see each other, even before anyone says anything. We've already made snap judgments about each other based on what we're wearing, our physical attributes, and even our posture in the first few seconds. Are these conclusions correct? Without context, it's difficult to determine, but we can say that nonverbal communication does have an impact on first impressions, for better or worse. Nonverbal communication in terms of space, dress, and even personal features can contribute to presumed expectations when a speaker and an audience meet for the first time. Even if the expectations aren't accurate or even fair, it's crucial to acknowledge that they will exist. 

As a speaker, your nonverbal communication is an important element of the message and can help or hurt your overall objectives. You can learn to be more conscious and in control by being aware of them and practicing with a live audience.

Key Takeaways

• Nonverbal communication is the process of conveying a message without the use of words; it relates to the dynamic process of communication, the perception process and listening, and verbal communication.
• Nonverbal communication is fluid and fast, universal, confusing, and contextual. It can add to or replace verbal communication and can be intentional or unintentional.
• Nonverbal communication communicates feelings and attitudes, and people tend to believe nonverbal messages more than verbal ones.

-Sarvesh SJB Rana

PhD in Political Science

& Honors in Literature