NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

How necessary is it to use and interpret it?

KYRIAKOS MAVRIKIOU

Non-verbal Communication Nonverbal communications is the process of communication

through sending and receiving wordless messages Research shows that the majority of our communication is

nonverbal The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication

is a powerful tool that will help you connect with others It can be communicated through gestures, body language

(posture), facial expression and eye contact All of our nonverbal behaviors (the gestures we make, the

way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how close we stand, how much eye contact we make) send strong messages.

Non-verbal Communication Object communication such as clothing, hairstyle etc is

also a non verbal communication Speech contains nonverbal elements known as

paralanguage, including voice quality, emotion and speaking style

Dance is also regarded as a nonverbal communication Vocal sounds that are not considered to be words, such

as a grunt, or singing a wordless note, are nonverbal Nonverbal communication can occur through any sensory

channel - sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. Non-verbal behavior varies from culture to culture, which

means it is specific to each culture and may be interpreted differently.

Non-verbal Communication “When we speak (or listen), our attention

is focused on words rather than body language. But our judgment includes both. An audience is simultaneously processing both verbal and nonverbal cues. Body movements are not usually positive or negative in and of themselves; rather, the situation and the message will determine the appraisal” (Givens, 2000, p. 4)

Non-verbal Communication

Importance It is believed that non-verbal communication is

continuous, while verbal communication is discontinuous A successful interpretation of non-verbal elements

conveyed by the speaker requires the same understanding of the symbols shared between interpreter and speaker

If the participants have a shared understanding of non-verbal meanings, the interpreter can also predict the non-verbal action of the speaker

Predictability of meaning in the field of interpretation is not only a result of the interpreter’s general culture, but also a result of his ability to interpret non-verbal communication

Importance

Non-verbal communication is crucial for every kind of interpreting where the speaker cannot be seen because even in such situations the voice itself can express non-verbal paralinguistic messages

If someone can’t communicate with people using different languages, then non-verbal communication will be a useful tool

Examples The manner of shaking hands conveys a lot of things about

someone’s personality. A palm-to-palm handshake suggests the honesty and confidence of the person

Depending on the society that a person lives in, people’s personal space of comfort and interpretation of gestures tend to vary. Hence, one should always consider the society factor before drawing conclusions about others through their body language

Avoid crossing your arms while conversing with someone as it creates a conversation barrier between two people and conveys negativity, close mindedness and defensiveness. Crossing the legs while conversing should also be avoided for the same reasons

Avoid continuous shaking of your ankles or legs, rubbing your palms or drumming the table with your fingers while talking or listening to someone as it displays your nervousness and frustration about something

Research Note

It has been found that when people communicate with each other, 55% of the message is transmitted as body language, 38% by the manner of speaking which includes accent, voice quality, emphasis, voice projection, pace, expression, pitch and volume, and the remaining 7% is conveyed through the spoken words

“The most important thing in communication

is to hear what isn't being said.”

Peter F. Drucker

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonverbal_communication

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eq6_nonverbal_communication.htm

http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/importance-of-nonverbal-communication-687848.html

http://www.aiic.net/ViewPage.cfm/page1662.htm#42

THANK YOUFOR

THE ATTENTION