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Non - Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication conveys messages without words through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and other bodily cues. It can communicate intentionally or unintentionally, complement or substitute for verbal communication, and reveal hidden feelings and information. Some key types of non-verbal signals include body language, touching, physical distance between individuals, the direction one is facing, paralanguage like tone of voice, dress code, physical environment, and use of time. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in interpersonal interactions and conveying additional meaning beyond words.

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80 views10 pages

Non - Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication conveys messages without words through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and other bodily cues. It can communicate intentionally or unintentionally, complement or substitute for verbal communication, and reveal hidden feelings and information. Some key types of non-verbal signals include body language, touching, physical distance between individuals, the direction one is facing, paralanguage like tone of voice, dress code, physical environment, and use of time. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in interpersonal interactions and conveying additional meaning beyond words.

Uploaded by

Dave N
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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NON -VERBAL

COMMUNICATION

Sizwe M Kalipinde
Skalipinde@mca.ac.mw
Definitions
1. Non-verbal communication is communication that is done without using
words.
2. Is the transmission of message or signal through nonlinguistic platforms
such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture and the distance
between two individuals.
3. In non-verbal communication there are bodily actions and vocal qualities
that accompany a verbal message.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
1. It can be intentional or unintentional. E.g. smiling when you see a friend coming
your way or have a frown
2. It can be ambiguous/ not clear. E.g. you may be talking to someone who may
choose to keep quiet because they are withholding the information you need or
because they are thinking about what you said but you may not be sure which one
of the two it is.
3. It transmits feelings. E.g. if someone is smiling you may never know the reason
why they are smiling unless they disclose but one will be able to notice the smile
4. It gives out information continuously. E.g. the face is continuously communicating
to them around you.
FUNCTIONS OF NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
1. To provide information
a) Repeating: when words are used to communication the non-verbal is used to repeat in
emphasis of the same communication that was made
b) Substituting: when hearing and speaking is impossible, nonverbal communication often
replaces verbal messages. The nonverbal communication takes the place of the words.
c) Complementing: nonverbal communication is used to emphasize feelings or attitudes. It is
also used to complete explanations of how to do something or describe something.
d) Emphasizing: nonverbal will help to draw attention to the most important part of your
message by using the gestures or tone of voice
Continues…
2. Revealing or hiding information
a) Deceiving: can be used to give a false impression or to deceive
b) Revealing: if the receiver is able to read ones actions, you are able to read
through some nonverbal behavior that may be exaggerations
c) Accenting: with nonverbal you are able to change the pitch to stress a word.
d) Regulating: it may be used to control turn taking in a speech. This is done
when one gazes at another in order for them to say something.
TYPES OF NONVERBAL SIGNALS
1. Body Languages (Kinesics): this is the use of the parts of the body in order to communicate
feelings, attitudes. It can be done consciously or unconsciously and it includes:
a) Eye contact- this is the most powerful way to communicate. The eyes provide a lot of
information as it elicits feelings of openness, trust and innocence.
b) Facial expressions- these are other ways of showing ones feelings like pleasure, boredom, smile
or frown
c) Body movements- this is the quick pacing up and down, finger drumming, boredom or
impatience
d) Gestures- this is the movement of the limbs or body and a deliberate use of the body.
Examples include nodding the head, shrugging the shoulders, yawning, scratching
e) Posture- this is the carriage, state of body and mind. It deals with sitting, standing or walking
upright or leaned forward. The posture shows or conveys alertness, formality or self confidence
Continues..
2. Touching
physical contact and touching are a way of showing an extension of personal space. How a
person touches another communicates a great deal of information. E.g. if it is a strong grip or
a gentle one
3. Distance (proxemics): this is the nearness that we use when we are communicating with
others. The examples include:
✓ Intimate distance/zone- this is the actual skin contact to a half meter. This is often done by
those that are emotionally close or done in public to protect and comfort.
✓ Personal space/ distance/zone/- this is a distance that allows communication without
physical contact e.g. people in a work place. This distance is half to a meter long
Continues..
✓ Social distance/zone- this a distance that allows socializing e.g. lounge furniture.
This distance is one to two metres long.
✓ Public distance/zone- this is distance between a speaker and the audience during an
oral communication. It is often more than three metres long
4. Orientation:
• this is the direction that ones’ body is facing when speaking or making conversation.
If you face the person you are talking to the understanding is you are listening to
what is being communicated and when you face the other side it means you are not
listening.
Continues..
5.Paralanguage:
• this is the way we say what we say or the tone on a message that is being
communicated and how one feels about it. It suggests a number of
emotional feelings and the sounds produced like ooops, tsk, whew! In an
organization this can assist one to read a situation and to act when dealing
with an angry customer
Continues…
6. Dress code and General Appearance:
• the way that a person dresses will communicate a person’s personality, age, education as well as attitudes.
Every situation has got its dress code and when that is done to the contrary it confuses the communication.
7.Physical Environment:
• the arrangement that is made in an office or house helps to make communication effective or not. The
physical environment affects the way in which communication will be done.
8. Use of Time:
• the way one uses time is a powerful communication and helps to set a communication stage. This includes
punctuality and willingness to wait, speech speed and how long people are willing to listen

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