Non-Verbal Communication and its kinds
Question No.5: Define non-verbal communication. What are its types?
Answer: Non-Verbal Communication
“Actions speak louder than words.”
This type of communication is wordless. It includes body movements, the tone or emphasis we give to words during oral communication, facial expressions and the physical distance between the sender and the receiver. In some instances, non-verbal component is more dominating than the verbal or written communication. For examples, a glance, a stare, a smile, and a body movement all convey meaning.
“Face is the index of man’s feelings and emotions.”
Types of Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication is of following types.
a. Appearance
b. Body language
c. Silence, time and space
a. Appearance:
Appearance plays a vital role in communication. It conveys non-verbal impressions that affect receiver’s attitude towards the message.
Personal Appearance and appearance of surroundings:
Personal appearance means clothing, hairstyle, neatness, jewelry, cosmetics and posture. While, surroundings include furnishing, machines, wall decorations, lighting, windows, weather and so many other features.
Effect of Appearance on Written Message
The format, neatness and the language of a written message send a non verbal message to the reader. An envelope’s appearance—size, colour, weight and postage may impress the receiver. Similarly, title page communicates nonverbally before its contents are read.
Effect of Appearance on Oral Message
When you are speaking to a person or a group of persons face to face, your personal appearance and the appearance of your surroundings affect your own attitude as well as that of the receiver.
b. Body Language:
Body language means facial expressions, gestures, posture and movement, smell and touch and voice and sound.
Facial Expression:
The eyes and face are especially helpful means of nonverbal communication. They can reveal hidden emotions including anger, confusion, nervousness, fear, joy and surprise.
Gestures, Postures and Movements:
Postures, gestures and movements of the body also convey the message. They can show your confidence, status or interest.
Smell and Touch:
Various odours and fragrances convey the message and affect the attitude of the receiver.
Voice and Sounds:
The voice quality of the speaker and the extra sounds the speaker makes while speaking are also a part of nonverbal communication called “Paralanguage.” Paralanguage includes voice, volume, pitch, and the other sounds you may make such as throat clearing and sighing.
c. Silence, Time and Space
Silence, time and space can communicate more than you think. Even they can cause hard feelings, loss of business and profits.
Silence:
The role of silence can be guessed with the idea of having no response when our request is met with silence or when our written message generates no response.
Time:
Concept of time is culture specific. In different societies, the people follow time differently. At some places, the people are quite punctual and any delay can cause harm.
Space:
Concept of space is also culture specific. In different societies, people like to keep a certain distance from one another.