Communication Skill is written by Gaffar Sir

Body Language and Nonverbal Communication

What is nonverbal communication and body language?

Nonverbal communication

Define:

The process of sending and receiving messages without using words, either spoken or written is called non- verbal communication.

Example

It said “60% of all human communication is nonverbal body language; 30% is your tone, so that means 90% of what you’re saying aren’t coming out of your mouth.”

There are many things involved in Non-verbal communication such as Strengthen Eye Contact, Be Presentable, facial Expression, tone of Voice, Posture and Gesture, touch, face voice etc.

·        There are five main effects that nonverbal communication can have:

1.   Repetition –: They can repeat the message the person is making verbally.

2.   Substitution – They can take the place of words

3.   Accenting – They can underline a certain point in the message

4.   Contradiction – They can contradict the message and make the speaker seem untruthful

5.   Complementing – They can compliment a verbal message, for instance, a pat on the back.

·        Non verbal communication can be divided into four categories:

 Aesthetic, physical, signs, and symbols. Following is an explanation and examples of non verbal communication

·         Aesthetic communication occurs through creative expression.  This would include all the arts: music, dance, theatre, crafts, art, painting, and sculpture.  Ballet is a great example of this, as there is dance and music, but no spoken or sung words.  Even in an opera, where there are words, there are still facial expressions, costumes, posture, and gestures. 

·         Physical communication covers the personal kind of communication, and includes a smile or frown, wink, touch, smell, salute, gesture, and other bodily movements.  Social conversation uses a lot of these physical signals along with the spoken words. 

·         Signs communications are a more mechanical kind of non verbal communication, which includes signal flags or lights, a 21 gun salute, a display of airplanes in formation, horns, and sirens.   

·         Symbols of communication are used for religious or personal status reasons, as well as to build self esteem.  This includes jewelry, cars, clothing, and other things to communicate social status, financial means, influence, or religion.    

Types of nonverbal communication and body language

There are many different types of nonverbal communication.

Facial expressions

The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.

Body movements and posture

Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit, walk, stand up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and subtle movements.

Gestures

Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point, beckon, and use our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—expressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. However, the meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so it’s important to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.

Eye contact

Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other person’s response.

Touch

We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages given by the following: a weak handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug, a reassuring slap on the back, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on your arm.

Space

Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy and affection, aggression or dominance.

Voice

It’s not just what you say; it’s how you say it. When we speak, other people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our words. Things they pay attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and inflection, and sound that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.” Think about how someone's tone of voice, for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.

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