There are three major parts in human face to face
communication which are body language, voice tonality, and words. According to
the research:[6]
- 55% of impact is determined by body language--postures, gestures, and
eye contact,
- 38% by the tone of voice, and
- 7% by the content or the words used in the communication process.
Although the exact
percentage of influence may differ from variables such as the listener and the
speaker, communication as a whole strives for the same goal and thus, in some
cases, can be universal. System of signals, such as voice sounds, intonations
or pitch, gestures or written symbols which communicate thoughts or feelings.
If a language is about communicating with signals, voice, sounds, gestures, or
written symbols, can animal communications be considered as a language? Animals
do not have a written form of a language, but use a language to communicate
with each another. In that sense, an animal communication can be considered as
a separate language.
Human spoken and written languages can be described as a
system of symbols (sometimes known as lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by
which the symbols are manipulated. The word "language" is also used
to refer to common properties of languages. Language learning is normal in
human childhood. Most human languages use patterns of sound or gesture for
symbols which enable communication with others around them. There are thousands
of human languages, and these seem to share certain properties, even though
many shared properties have exceptions.
There is no defined line between a language and a dialect,
but the linguist Max Weinreich is credited as saying that "a language is a
dialect with an army and a navy". Constructed languages such as Esperanto,
programming languages, and various mathematical formalisms are not necessarily
restricted to the properties shared by human languages. ‘
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication
is the process of communicating through sending and receiving wordless
messages. Such messages can be communicated through gesture, body language or
posture; facial expression and eye contact, object communication such as
clothing, hairstyles or even architecture, or symbols and infographics, as well
as through an aggregate of the above, such as behavioral communication.
Speech may also contain nonverbal elements known as
paralanguage, including voice quality, emotion and speaking style, as well as
prosodic features such as rhythm, intonation and stress. Likewise, written
texts have nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of
words, or the use of emotions. A portmanteau of the English words emotion (or
emote) and icon, an emoticon is a symbol or combination of symbols used to
convey emotional content in written or message form.
Other communication channels such as telegraphy fit into
this category, whereby signals travel from person to person by an alternative
means. These signals can in themselves be representative of words, objects or
merely be state projections. Trials have shown that humans can communicate
directly in this way[7] without body language, voice tonality or words.
·
Non-verbal communication is
basically anything that conveys a message without using words or symbols. It
may be linked to words (eg. a tone of voice), or it may be independent of any
verbal message.
·
Movement is highly communicative.
Think what you can convey through, for example, frowning or smiling, nodding,
scratching your head, putting your head in your hands or slamming a door.
·
There are two broad categories of
non-verbal communications: First, Non-verbal communication linked to verbal
communication, which adds meaning over and above what the speaker is saying in
the words themselves ‘between the lines’ of a message.
|
Words |
Other
factors |
Meaning |
|
Really, I’m fine |
Quivering lips, pale face, |
I’m upset, or ill, and either |
|
Correct me if I’m wrong |
Sarcastic smile, patronising tone |
You and I both know I’m right |
·
Second, Non-verbal communication
independent of any verbal message, so that meaning is conveyed by non-verbal
cues. If you forget a friend’s birthday, for example, this in itself may be
enough to communicate that you don’t care about them any more, or that you are
angry with them for some reason.
Channels/Types
of Non-verbal Communication
Because so much of human
interaction is non-verbal, this system includes many kinds of communication.
There are 9 forms of non-verbal behaviour and each is used to establish
personal identity, relational messages and express personal identity and
cultural values.
i.
Kinesics
Kinesics refer to body position
and body motions including facial expressions. Our bodies communicate a great
deal about how we see ourselves. For instance, someone
who walks briskly conveys determination; someone who moves without purpose (or
‘can never sit still’) signals nervousness, impatience or distractions. Our faces also communicate messages; we can
indicate happiness (smiles), doubt (raised eyebrows) or anger (stares). How we
position ourselves relative to others also expresses our feelings toward them -
friends often sit together while competitors typically maintain distance.
ii.
Haptics
Haptics refer to physical touch.
Touching or contact communicates closeness as well as power and status. People
with high status touch others and invade others’ spaces more than those with
low status. Between the two genders, women tend to engage in touch while men
more typically rely on touch to assert power and control.
iii.
Physical Appearance
High value is often placed on
physical appearance. People form initial evaluations based on individual’s
appearance. We first notice physical qualities such as gender, skin colour and
features. Then we form judgements of how attractive others are and make
inferences about their personalities. For example, plump, rounded bodies are
often associated with laziness and weakness while thin, angular physiques are
thought to reflect youthful, stubborn personalities. Though these associations
have no factual basis, they can affect decisions about hiring, placement and
promotion.
iv.
Artifacts
Artifacts are personal objects we
use to announce our identities and personalize our environments. We craft our
image by how we dress and what objects we carry and use. For instance, doctors
wear white and drape stethoscopes around their necks while the military
requires uniforms with stripes and medals to signify rank and accomplishments.
Artifacts communicate important relational meaning – we use them to perform our
identities and express how we perceive and feel about others.
v.
Proxemics
Proxemics refer to space and how
we use it. Space reflects intimacy – e.g. when we are angry with someone, we
tend to move away from him and resent it if he approaches us. Space also
announces status with greater space being assumed by those with higher status.
How people arrange space reflects how close they are and whether they want
interaction. E.g. Those who enjoy interaction arrange furniture to invite conversation
and eye contact. For less interaction, chairs may be far apart and face the
television instead of each other.
vi.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors are
elements of settings that affect how we feel and act. We respond to
architecture, colours, temperature, sounds, smells and lighting. e.g. dimly-lit
room can enhance romantic feelings while dark rooms can be depressing. Rooms
with comfortable chairs invite relaxation while stiff chairs prompt formality.
Thus, environmental factors influence not only patterns of interaction but also
feelings and moods.
vii.
Chronemics
Chronemics refer to how we
perceive and use time to define identities and interaction. E.g. cultural rule
stipulates important people with high status can keep others waiting. It’s standard
practice to wait to see a doctor even if you have an appointment. Chronemics
also express cultural attitudes toward time. In western societies, for example,
time is valuable so, speed is highly valued but Malaysian have more relaxed
attitudes toward time and punctuality.
viii.
Paralanguage
Paralanguage refers to vocal
sounds such as murmurs and gasps and vocal qualities such as volume, rhythm,
pitch and intonation. These vocal cues act as signals for others to interpret
what we say as a joke, threat, statement, question etc. Voices can also be used
to communicate feelings eg whispering indicates secrecy and intimacy while
shouting conveys anger.
ix.
Silence
Silence can communicate powerful
messages. It can communicate different meanings. Eg. It can signal awkwardness
or disconfirm others – we deliberately ignore others when we’re angry with
them.
