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COMM2

Uploaded by

nimrodgreen.leonar
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

According to Buffalo State University of New York, all forms of communication can be categorized as
either verbal or nonverbal. In turn, both verbal and nonverbal communication can be subdivided into
either vocal or non-vocal.
Much of the communication that takes place between people is verbal that is, it is based on language.

 Verbal communication of the vocal category includes spoken language.


 Non-vocal verbal communication involves written communication as well as communication
that are transmitted through sign language, finger spelling, Braille, or other alternatives to
verbal language.

Non-Verbal Communication
 Non-verbal communication is hugely important in human interaction.
 Non-verbal communication also is bound to culture.
 The study of verbal and non-verbal communication must be done within the context of social
or cultural context.

 Some linguists identify an aspect of nonverbal communication called paralanguage.


 Paralanguage refers to a range of nonlinguistic elements of speech, such as facial
expressions, gestures, the use of time and space, and so on.

The study of non-verbal communication is divided into several specific


categories.

Kinesics(simply called body language)


 It deals with physical environment, sometimes called affective display. This study applies
traditional linguistic principles to the body as a whole or to specific parts, particularly the face,
hands and arms.
 It also deals with posture as well as eye and facial expressions.
 Kinesics varies culturally.

2. Occulesics deals with eye behavior as an element of communication. Some aspects of occulesics
deal deal with a static or fixed gaze versus dynamic eye movement.

Examples: a. In Japan, it is more common to look at the throat of the other person.
b. In China and Indonesia, the practice is to lower the eyes because direct contact is considered bad
manners.
c. In Hispanic culture direct eye contact is a form of challenge and disrespect.
d. In most cultures, downcast eyes during conversation can suggest social deference, evasion,
insincerity or boredom.

3. Proxemics involves the social use of space in a communication situation. One aspect of this is the
closeness between and among people, and the significant role that culture plays in this.

 Proxemics also deals with the effective use of space in social settings, such as businesses and
homes.
4. Haptics focuses on touching as an element of communication, indicating both the type of touch as
well as its frequency and intensity.

5. Vocalics deals with vocal cues, more accurately referred to as the non-phonemic qualities of
language.
 These include accent, loudness, tempo, pitch, cadence, rate of speech, nasality and tone,
insofar as these convey meaning.

6. Chronemics deals with the use of time as an element of communication. Formal time is measured
in minutes, hours, days, and so on. Informal time is measured relative to

 Seasons, social customs, lunar cycles,etc.


 Chronemics involves specifics such as punctuality along with patterns of dominance or
deference within communication situations
 Chronemics also deals with time from the standpoint of social settings.
 Chronemics also considers the use of monochronemics ( doing one thing at a time with
emphasis on schedule and promptness, getting to the point quickly) and
polychronemics( doing several things at a time with emphasis on people and the whole
relationship)

Monochronemic conversation- talking about one thing at a time.

Polychronemic conversation- multiple conversations at the same time, and frequent interruption by
other speakers-listeners
7. Appearance deals with the communication role played by a person’s look or physical appearance.
It deals with physical aspects of body shape, hair color and skin tone, grooming, dress, and the use of
appearance enhancements.

8. Environment involves the communicative value of the physical space, such as room size, color,
accessibility and location.

9. Artifacts deals with the communicative aspect of apparent objects visible in the room- art,
possessions and so on. These may be personal, indicative of status, and /or revealing of lifestyle.
Examples: In Western countries, pets have great emotional significance.
Among many Arabs, rugs are prestigious.

10. Olfactics is an aspect of nonverbal communication dealing with smells. Though not widely
studied from a communication perspective, olfactics might include the use of perfumes and spices. It
is associated with proxemics in that, the closer people are in communication, the more likely that the
smell will be relevant.

Examples: In some high-contact cultures, it is customary to get close enough in conversation to smell
the other person.
Indeed, Arabs and religious Muslims are known for using perfumes. According to the teachings of the
Prophet, it is a charity to smell to others.

11. Synchrony focuses on the amount of coordination in people’s behavior when their non-verbal
cues are in sync with another.
Examples: mirroring, mimicry, or behavioral meshing

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