NON
– VERBAL COMMUNICATION:
Non-Verbal
communication is communication without words. It has been defined as ―any message you give
other than the literal interpretation of your words – the way you move, speak,
appear‖. Non-verbal elements form an important part of
oral communication.
The major
forms of non-verbal communication are as follows:
1. Kinesics or Body Language
2. Dress and Grooming
3. Proxemics
4. Paralanguage
5. Silence
6. Visual and Auditory Signs and signals
7. Colours
1. Body
Language or Kinesics:-Body language
or kinesics is a vital part of communication.
It includes several factors like facial expressions, eye contact,
gestures, posture and even dress and grooming. Facial Expressions: The face of the person mirrors the emotions
and conveys a host of different messages. Facial expressions also include eye contact. Smiling, frowning,
widening the eyes, raising the eyebrows,
pursing the lips
are all examples
of facial expressions.
Such expressions communicate in one of two ways. Sometimes, they act as a complement to the
words used and add to their meaning. They can also act as a substitute for the
words. Facial expressions often reveal
the true feelings of a person, even when his words are saying something else.
Gestures: A
gesture is an action of the hand, head or body, which conveys a message. Gestures
can convey a
greeting, such as folding
one‘s hands in a ‗Namaste‘; it can pass information, such as holding up hand to indicate ―wait‖, or nodding head to say ―yes‖
and shaking it to say ―no‖;
gestures can also show emotion with a
clenched, raised fist which indicates anger.
Posture:
Posture is an important part of body language. It means the manner in
which we carry ourselves, i.e. the way we walk, sit and stand. Posture says a
lot about a person‘s personality, her/his mood and general nature. Hunched
shoulders, slouching in a chair can mean
lack of self
- confidence and
low energy levels,
or shyness; an erect stance shows
positivity and confidence; standing with
hands on the hips and head thrust forward shows aggression and anger.
2. Dress and Grooming: The clothes we wear and the level of our
grooming play an
important role in
giving people an impression about
us. Our choice
of clothes on
different occasions and
in different places,
our attention to
neatness and to
details like well
– combed hair
and clean nails,
all provide important clues to
others about our personality. It is said that ‘clothes maketh
a man‘; how we wear
clothes and how
we carry them
is what makes
the real impact.
Thus, dress and grooming play a vital role in providing a clue to the
man behind the appearance.
3. Proxemics: Proxemics can be called the language of
space. It is the study of space and how
we use it in communication. The manner
in which we use space, in personal as well as in group communication, creates
different kinds of meaning and sends different messages to others. Experts have identified different kinds of
areas or zones of space: Intimate space, for immediate family members and close
friends. Personal space, for friends and colleagues. Social space, for one‘s senior or junior
colleagues. Formal or Public space, for meetings
and gatherings. The closer the relationship, the closer the space we allow the
individual.
4. Paralanguage: Paralanguage
includes pitch, volume, intonation,
and such non -verbal
elements of communication which
modify meaning and
convey emotion. e.g. the
vocal sounds ‘ hmmm‘ or ‘ah‘ . The study
of paralanguage focuses on how
you say what
you say .The
tone of voice,
rate of speech, pause, accent can not only communicate
but alter the meaning significantly.
5. Silence: Silence is a powerful form of communication. We convey our
ideas and emotions
very clearly and
eloquently when we
remain silent in
certain situations. Silence
can be used
to convey agreement
or disagreement, approval
or disapproval, anger, shyness,
sympathy or respect.
6. Visual and Auditory Signs and Signals:
The word ―Sign‖ is derived from
the Latin word signum which means a mark. Both signs and signals are symbols,
which are given some meaning .Signs are
fixed and static symbols, while signals are
dynamic and have
an element of
change or movement. Signs are used in Chemistry,
Mathematics, and Music and in Road signs to guide motorists. Signals use
colour, light or sound for communication, as in traffic signals, or the school
bell or the ambulance siren.
7. Colours: It is impossible to imagine life without colors.
They are an unavoidable part of our lives.
Colours can convey
direct messages, such as the traffic signal, or the red flag that workers carry to indicate that they are on
strike. Colours also have an important symbolic role. The
symbolism of colours
finds a place in every aspect of our lives; the colours of flags of
various nations stand
for different qualities;
in most countries,
the colour red symbolizes something
good and auspicious,
white symbolizes peace,
and green stands for prosperity,
and so on. Being symbolic, the same colour may mean different things in different
cultures. For example, an Indian bride
wears red, but a bride in a western country wears white, which represents
purity. Colours also have an important psychological role in our lives. There
is scientific evidence to show that
bright colours excite and
soft, light colours soothe and calm the mind, and dark, dull colours can
be depressing
@ritsh
