Chapter 9

Non-Verbal Communication

Chapter 9

Language is a common symbol system which we use for sharing our experience

with others. Communication through words is called verbal communication and

communication through other symbols is called non-verbal communications

Graphics in a written document, body language and voice equalities in

speech

Chapter 9

Non-verbal methods of communication include all things, other than words and language. Non-verbal

communication can be independent of verbal communication; but verbal communication is always accompanied by the non-verbal communication. It is mostly involuntary and unconscious and difficult to

control. Or in other words, in non-verbal communication messages are sent through actions and behaviors rather than words Not “what you say,

but how you say it”.

Chapter 9

75-90% of our information is from non-verbal communication.

Chapter 9

Is it possible to communicate without words?Studies show that over half of your message is

carried through nonverbal elements:

•Your appearance•Your body language•The tone and •The pace of your voice.

Chapter 9

We know the importance of “first impression”But first impressions happen everytime we initiate the

communication.

Before someone processes our verbal messages,

•She has taken in our appearance,•Registered our enthusiasm and sincerety

•Noted our tone of voice and processed all into nonverbal message.

Chapter 9

•Speed in conveyance and response makes non-verbal methods extremely useful in critical situations like traffic signs and signals

•It is necessary for conveying information or plans related to geography, locations, data and most of the sciences. It makes the information available conveniently, at glance for comparison.

Uses of non-verbal methods

Chapter 9

•It is used in films, TV news and serials.

•It is the best method to convey information to illiterate people. It can overcome the barriers of language

Uses of non-verbal methods

Chapter 9

Non-verbal communication occurs through visual and auditory

symbols and other senses like smell, touch or taste

Methods of non-verbal Communication

Chapter 9

Non-verbal Aspects of Written Communication

A document has an appearance which is the consequence of font size and style, margins, spacing, quality of paper. The appearance and the feel of a document convey impressions about the status of

the sender and also make tit more readable and attractive to the receiver

Chapter 9

It is an important means of communication; used for classification and identification of different products; make products attractive; different

colored papers are used for different departments to distinguish the copies; used in uniforms of the

members; gives an added dimension to maps, chart, graphs etc; used in clothing design and

decoration

It has psychology effect; it is associated with diff. moods and feelings

Colour

Chapter 9

These are used in brochures, posters and exclusively in

advertising because they can attract the eye and convey

instantly even when the reader just glances at them

It can be tackled in any order

Pictures

Chapter 9

A diagram is a figure consisting of simple line drawing made to accompany and illustrate the

parts and the operation of something. The different types of diagrams are:

Graphs and charts: The different graphs and charts are bar graphs, line graph (Compares

two variables), pie chart (Displays percentage), flow chart (Indicates the procedures).

Diagram

Chapter 9

These are representations of territory and are said for conveying the space relationship between places.

Maps

Conveys geographical information, transport routes,

climatic conditions, distribution of population,

crops, animal life and vegetation, sociological

factors etc

Chapter 9

Signs and Signals

It is used to represent something. It has a fixed

meaning. Signs may be made with hands, lights, cloth, smoke, drums, whistles or anything that

can be heard or seen at a distance

Chapter 9

Auditory symbols

Sirens, whistles, bells and buzzers, beeps, tunes are used as auditory

symbols.

Chapter 9

Body Language

It is involuntary and unconscious, omnipresent, emotionally expressive,

dominates interaction and seems trustable and includes facial expressions, posture,

gestures and other body movements, general appearance, clothing, accessories

worn and so on.. Non-verbal communication can accent, complement,

repeat, and substitute for verbal communication

Chapter 9

Body Language

It is complex and is influenced by many factors like: biological,

habitual and cultural.

Body language can be divided into conscious and unconscious.

One should enlarge one’s awareness of one’s body and gain a good deal of control of postures, movements and voice modulation

Chapter 9

It makes the first impression; lack of neatness, carelessness

in grooming, clumsy gait or clothes make a negative

impressions. Grooming and personal hygiene are the factors

affecting the appearance.

Appearance

Chapter 9

Clothing and accessories

Being an important aspect of body language, it requires good taste/judgment to make a subtle

impression by what you wear. The color, design, cut and fitting, appropriateness for the

occasion, the time of the day, season, the cultural background of the people going to be

present there are the aspects to be considered. Whatever you carry on your person or in your

hands ought to look comfortable and gracefully carried.

Chapter 9

Posture

Posture is the way we hold ourselves, the way we stand or sit which indicates something

about our feelings and thoughts, attitudes, moods and health. Four types of postures are

i) forward lean ii) drawing back or turning away iii) expansion iv) forward leaning body, bowed head, drooping shoulders and sunken

chest .

Graceful posture is a great asset in any business

Chapter 9

Facial Expression

It is the most obvious aspect of body language

A cheerful or appreciative smile, a displeased frown, a look of surprise, and several other expressions of the face can

convey , with or without words, the attitude, feelings and reactions of the

communicants

Chapter 9

Smile

It is an Universal Chamber

It is understood by everyone, generally unmistakable and clears the

atmosphere, believed to release chemicals which create feelings of

happiness

Chapter 9

Eye contact

It is an Communicating Factor

Eye movement is a key part of facial behavior, directing other’s attention or showing surprise or happiness and other emotional displays.

Chapter 9

Gestures

Gestures are movements of hands/head/body; they are a natural accompaniment of speech and the occasion, the size and nature of the

audience influence speaker’s gestures

Chapter 9

Energy

An energetic person maintains the certain level

of enthusiasm in work and it is reflected in the style and

is usually infectious and makes listeners feel

enthusiastic.

Chapter 9

Space

The way the space is structured by people conveys the meaning

The distance we keep from the other person while speaking indicates the relationship. Four types of

distance indicates the relationship between persons: intimate space is 0 to 18 inches, personal space is 18 inches to 4 feet, social distance is 4 feet to 12 feet and public distance is 12 feet to hearing

and seeing distance

Chapter 9

Time

Time given to listen or to speak to people creates a sense of self

esteem in them; it is equated with care and concern

Chapter 9

Paralanguage

The voice has characteristics like tone, volume, and pitch

The non-verbal aspects of the spoken word are known as

paralanguage. It includes the qualities of the voice, the way we

use our voice, as well as the sounds we make without uttering words.

Chapter 9

Speed and Stress

•Rapid speech indicates excitement. Reduce speed to explain idea

•Correct pronunciation shows speaker’s carefulness and consideration for the audience

•Don’t carry the mother tongue intonation to a new language you learn

Chapter 9

Silence

Silence can be a very effective way of communication. It is not a negative absence of

speech but a positive withdrawal of suspension of speech. Some feelings like anger or displeasure

can be expressed by keeping silent. The term ‘dead silence”, “stony silence”, “embarrassing silence”, show that silence has a quality that

communicates itself. In a negotiation, silence and non-response is a useful strategy; it could make

other person speak more

Chapter 9

A person who can control all facial expression can really puzzle the other