This paper is aimed at exploring various elements through which our nonverbal behavior affects our communication. This paper starts with a brief introduction about non-verbal communication and then proceeds to defining it. After a brief definition of non-verbal communication this paper presents several elements of non-verbal nature which play vital role in non-verbal communication. Further in the paper these elements are shown in respect of their role in overall communication. The paper is concluded with a brief and concise conclusion at the end. This paper mainly addresses the situation of a public speaker in order to analyze the effects of non-verbal communication in more details.
Introduction
The way of communication has a vital rule in order to transform information from one source to another. There are two types of communications; mainly named as verbal and non-verbal communication. The term non-verbal communication is the type of communication having unique features. These unique features are the facial expressions or body gestures. However, there may be other aspects as well, which play significant rule in day to day life. There are two steps as far as the speaker’s task is concerned: firstly, the transformation of thoughts into words and then communicating the words to audience. The non-verbal communication also emphasizes on the face to face interaction of the people during transferring the data from one source to other. A non-verbal communication is not an easy task to understand, there may be many of the difficulties which may incur. Sign language is one of the forms of non-verbal communication, but as it is a language, therefore, is not considered as part of non-verbal communication. Several elements of non-verbal communication play vital role in the overall communication based on the reasons that they also carry some message and information with them
Definition of non-verbal communication
There are numerous definitions which have been described by famous scholars and researchers. Among these definitions, important one are chosen and developed that seems essential to describe and interpret the concept of non-verbal communication. The non-verbal communication comprised of the messages (other than the words) used for communication of the data form one person to the other. These are called as symbolic messages and are communicated through voice tone, the intonation, and produced noises, facial expressions, body gestures, body posture, or the pauses .
It is an obvious fact that when an individual speaks, he or she does not normally confine him / herself to just the emission of the words. During the speech, most of the meanings of the speech are communicated by non-verbal ways, which always go together with the oral discourse, whether it is anticipated or not. In short, it can be evaluated that during transformation of a message, both non-verbal and verbal communication are used.
Non-verbal behavior in human for verbal communication is very common because the individuals since birth strongly depend on non-verbal way of expressing themselves. This inborn quality of non-verbal behavior is crucial in the communication of message. Even before the utterance of a sentence, the hearer monitors the facial expressions and body gestures of the narrator, trying to formulate sense of the symbolic messages sent by the narrator. People presume about non-verbal measures that they do not recline and therefore the people tend to consider non-verbal communication where verbal messages disagree with it. This has been proved by the studies that the words which are delivered friendly and politely have better and significant impacts as compared to the words spoken angrily. Consequently, the symbolic messages assist the listener to interpret and understand the intention of the speaker. Generally, in daily discussion, the people do not understand that what others are saying and frequently ask that what are you saying etc., then the speaker simplify his message. This is unfortunate for the speaker that he is totally deprived from these possibilities and depends on other means to make the listener understand by the speaker.
In point of views of the speaker, there are many functions of the non-verbal behavior even if the audience is not fully capable of understanding them. The human beings generally use the means of non-verbal communications to influence or to organize others, to embellish or clarify things, complement, stress, and repeat and regulate verbal expressions. Sometimes the non-verbal communication means can be replaced with the verbal expression, for instance use of several body symbols. The non-verbal way of communication the ideas is psychologically expressive so to the emotions of the receiver has an influential impact. Although most of the non-verbal ways of communications are universal and innate i.e. the people in various cultures have widespread understanding of the cues. The role of non-verbal messages to the meaning of speech does vary from country to country and can be bases on their culture.
Non-Verbal Elements
There are several elements of non-verbal communication which play vital role in affecting overall communication. These elements are as mentioned below :-
1. Intonation
The intonation is a way in which the pitch of the voice of sender falls and rises while the course of speaking. For instance, it depicts that the statement given by the speaker is a question and may even be simply a statement. If the statement is a question, the voice of the speaker rises at the end point of that expression or that sentence; on the other hand if it is simply the statement then the voice falls. Simultaneously, the intonation during the speech indicates to the audience, the end of statement or information, as in the case of written communication which is indicated by the use of a simple comma, point, semicolon, question mark or exclamation mark. Among other important functions, the intonation also emphasizes on a specific idea or word, and the audience should be attentive for these intonations and must not forget it while expressing the ideas.
2. Tone of voice
The voice’s tone is a mean used by the speakers to express their attitude towards the message. The speaker also seeks the reaction of the speech from the listeners after conveying the massage. The voice of the tone depends upon the situation on which the massage is to be delivered, for example, during the political debate the voice’s tone is would rousing, on the other hand, the news on television are delivered in a factual tone. There are number of types of tone of the voice, these may be; critical, aggressive, nervous, monotonous, disappointed, friendly, enthusiastic, persuasive, vivid, etc.
3. Vocally produced noises
The spoken conversation can also be supplemented by the vocally generated noises. These produced noises are the part of the actual speech, but they significantly assist in the communication of the massage to the hearer for expression of the attitude behavior or the feeling of the audience. Such non-lexical terminology varies in imperative respects from the language. These terminologies are extremely similar in meaning and form. The vocally generated noises are comprised of shouts, laughter, shout of joy, pain, fear, as well as expressions of convention of triumph, disgust, etc., conventionally spelled “ha ha!” or “ugh!”
4. Body posture
The posture of the body while delivering the speech has tremendously importance. The posture of the body is basically the position of body of the speaker. This is comparatively a stable state, therefore should not be puzzled with the body gestures that is the movements. A Body posture is very important and should be in accordance with the circumstances and nature of the speech. Apparently one may be seating, lying down, or standing. Generally, these body postures are not elements of the posture which convey the messages. However, the speaker when become erect or slouched, the legs of the speaker are crossed or arms are folded. Such body postures during conveying message shows the degree of relaxation or formality.
5. Body gestures
The body gesture during the communication of message is movement of the limb, particularly the hands in order to express, emphasize or confirm the speaker’s intention or attitude. This type of non-verbal action is frequently used during the oral discourse. In some of the cases the speaker need not to be given any sort of body gestures; this non requirement of body gestures is known as “emblem”. For examples: signals given by the waving hand saying good-bye, for victory the “V” sign can be used or the signaling victory as “high five”. Some of the emblems, for instance a clenched fist, universally have same meanings, there are some others which are culturally or idiosyncratic conditioned. Use of zero or one shape made with fingers, for example, may not have the same meaning and vary from culture to culture. Similarly, in UK, standing for “OK” may be one of the vulgar expressions in the cultures of South American. There is a close relationship between the facial expression and the body gestures. The body gestures always are interpreted and perceived together with the facial expressions.
6. Eye movement and facial expressions
The facial expressions have dynamic features for communicating the attitude, intentions, emotions and other expressions of the speaker. It has been unanimously agreed that face is considered a primary if not only source of the sentiments and emotions. During the oral communication, the facial expressions alter continually and persistently are interpreted and monitored by the hearer or receiver. The examples of facial expression movement are: a frown, smile, raised eyebrow, sneer or yawn.
The eyes of the human being plays crucial role while communicating the message because the eye movement is key element of the facial behavior and are involved invariably in the facial displays. As other expressions or body gestures, the eye movements have different forms and are observed differently from area to area. The regularity of the eye contact during discussion may suggest interest or the boredom or some time betray dishonesty. On the other hand, if the speaker direct stare to the hearer, shows frankness or openness. The downward looking is associated generally with the modesty; the eyes turn upwards is the symptom of fatigue. The researchers have conducted lot of studies and discovered that some facial areas reveal emotional state well better than the others. For instance, the eyes are to show the sadness, happiness, or even the surprise. Lower face, generally, can express surprise or happiness; for instance, a smile can convey cooperation or friendliness. As for lower face, the forehead and brows are very much known for revealing the anger.
7. Pause
The pause is also one of the features of non-verbal communication and have different functions, elaborated as follows:
1. The pause may be a brief postponement or stoppage of the voice in order to show the limits as well as relation of sentences and the parts. Every pause assumes similar function in the oral discourse as to intonation.
2. The pause can be comprised of a vocal inaction showing the speaker’s hesitation, uncertainty, uneasiness or tension. In this regard, a pause also can be negative by indicating the disfavor or favor, disagreement or agreement. Consequently, the meaning of the pause can be taken differently by different people, it means that pause in the non-verbal communication may give rise to a problem. Therefore, the impact of pause during any process of communicating may be negative or positive.
Interpreting non-verbal communication
It has widely been confirmed that the non-verbal communication is very important in any kind of conversation. It is also very crucial for effective communication of the massage. The procedure of understanding the non-verbal and the verbal fundamentals can be expressed as follows: the neural alleyway bring the information to brain through senses. The information first enters to thalamus through the eyes or the ears, then to large part of limbic system. A thalamus can be compared as to mail sorter. The thalamus decides that this information is sent to which brain’s parts. If the information relates to emotional feelings, then the thalamus transmits out the two signals; the first one to amygdale and second one to neocortex. Consequently, limbic system and emotional brain receive any information first. The speaker may react before any thinking and the brain has received information having a possibility to weigh options. The speaker, today, must not be feared with such confrontations or attacks. It has been observed through the studies that speakers of today’s era can react in very “cooler” way as their ancestors. However, the audience may be dealt with an annoyed speaker, for whom fierce body gestures observed (for instance when the speaker bangs fist on table) .
Transfer of non-verbal elements from the sender to the receiver
As mentioned earlier, the non-verbal communication emotionally is very expressive as the people of any culture smile, caress, cry, or then suppress their feelings and emotions through the body or the facial action. Many of the emotional expressions are displayed universally the same. However, the non-verbal behavior from one culture to another culture varies, which shows that these are specific for each culture or tradition and may also be interpreted in different way. These non-verbal elements have certain reactions among the audience when transferred by any interpreter; and the following details deals with reception and transfer of these elements.
1. Intonation
Ideally, the speaker should repeat similar intonation as his thought are; however, the intonation always is not used in its true spirit. For example, the simultaneous thoughts do not allow speaker to concentrate on one specific intonation. In this case, the voice will go up at end of the sentence. In most of the languages, the enhancing intonation is symptom of the surprise or question, but when this is being used analytically by speaker then it would become difficult for audience to understand and even listen where the sentences start and finish. It is also very difficult to distinguish whether the speech is affirmative or interrogative. Moreover, it has been revealed by the researchers that the words should not be over emphasized by the speakers where the need for it is not at all. Particularly in rather blank texts, any actual blankness of text is painted by emphasizing many words as a result the speaker would become as a public speaker without a good repute.
2. Tone of voice
If the speaker use various voice’s tones during the communication of a simple message, there might be huge chances of creating serious problems. These can be only guided, by their skill, in any case and intuition. For instance, overreaction when one is under pressure would apparent itself through an overstated effort to sound cool. This would lead towards a dull interpretation which sounds completely bored or supercilious even and will most likely fail to converse the message. It on the other hand might be quite irritating or annoying for the listeners or audience.
3. Vocally produced noises
Most of the speakers often make use of the vocally produced sounds or noises like “eh” during the communication when they are indecisive between two sentences or even words. It has been revealed that these noises have not a better impact on the audience and therefore all speakers should keep it under consideration that frequent use the noises during communication is not permissible in all the languages. Therefore, it is recommended for good communication that the speaker should transmit only what is the part of message.
4. Body posture
Simultaneous thoughts sometimes may disable the speaker to produce any body posture, for instance, because of the position of the booth from where the speaker is visible to audience. However, it should be kept in mind by all the concerned that the audience or the listeners generally monitor the speaker during listening. In a case like this, the need for body posture becomes more significant and hence it is highly recommended.
5. Body gestures
The posing body gestures during the communication process are recommended only if speaker is quite visible to the audience. The body gestures as per cultural regions vary significantly. Any speaker, for instance, concur on proposal - reproduced by simultaneous speech; however, the speaker shakes his / her head many times. This may be a symbol of approval in the culture of the speaker. On the other hand, a European listener will consider shaking of hand as a gesture a refusal sign. If concurrent speaker could visually express themselves, they would then support verbal reproduction by nodding their head. It is strongly suggested and recommended to speakers that they should not exaggerate their thoughts extraordinarily, as doing this frequently would make themselves as fool.
6. Eye movement and facial expressions
As all other factors of non-verbal communications like, body gestures, eye movement and facial expressions vary from one culture to another culture. A speaker from country of far East may describe on a depressing subject, on the other hand the same may be laughing or smiling. As a result, a European listener will amazingly be confused by these obvious contradictions.
7. Pause
Pauses are quite necessary to make the audience understand in a better way. Appropriate pauses; mostly add understanding in the connotation of a message. The pauses can also help the speaker and provide them a short time to think and gather missing thoughts to provide the audience a better understanding of the message. On the other hand, some of the speakers may feel pressure to continue a flow of the sound. All speakers believe that the audience will lose confidence and turn into impatient when during the pause listeners thought that they had missed something.
Conclusion
Non-verbal communication has the same importance in communication process as the verbal communication has. The non-verbal communication is very crucial in a routine, plain daily communication circumstances. It has very significant impacts on speaker‘s point of views. There are various forms of non-verbal communications; each play tremendous role in the process of communicating a massage. All these form of non-verbal communication can replaces or illustrates a specific part of verbal communication. It comprise of many more essentials than one might imagine at first. When the speakers are working in a situation where they cannot be seen by the audience, the non-verbal communication may symbolize a problem. This will be creating a negative impact on the audience and they might think that speaker has not good skills to communicate. If the message has to be delivered effectively and properly, the speaker will have to keep in mind the importance of the entire non-verbal communication factors in mind and should act upon them with letter and spirit. This is possible only because special part of the brain deals the emotional fraction of message. It is recommended that only intelligence may not be effective for communication rather emotional intelligence may also be deemed necessary for good communication. It has also been suggested that whether non-verbal communication helps the speakers during communication process or cause difficulty, it always will play a significant role.
Works Cited
Burgoon, Judee K., Laura K. Guerrero and Kory Floyd. Nonverbal Communication. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2009. Print.
Mehrabian, Albert. Nonverbal Communication. Piscataway (NJ): Transaction Publishers, 2007. Print.
Yule, George. The Study of Language. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print.
