Communication Skills

VERBAL & NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

4.1 Introduction

The process of communication has got two dimensions : verbal as well as non-verbal. If we really think and have an introspection, seriously vis-a-vis our day-to-day communication, then we are bound to find that more than three-fourth of our time is consumed in non-verbal communication only. In this section , both these aspects of communication have been discussed.

4.2 Verbal Communication

For knowing the details about verbal communication, the students are advised to refer to Chapter 6 (section 6.1) as well as Chapter 15 (sections 15.1, 15.2 & 15.3).

4.3 Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication refers to:

GESTURES,

POSTURES,

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS,

SYMBOLIC CLOTHING, and Similar Other Phenomena, like:

4.3.1 Types of Non-verbal Communication

(a) Facial Expressions (including EMOTIONS, Viz. Happiness, Fear, Sadness, Anger, Contempt and Surprise)

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Eye behaviour

Kinesics (study of body movement)

4.3.1.1 Classes of Specified body expressions

(a) Emblems

(e.g. Putting/Pointing an Index Finger to One’s Lips)

(b) Illustrations

(e.g. Pointing to someone, while shouting his/her name; Describing the Height/Thickness/Dimensions of Something with the help of Hands, etc.)

(c) Regulators

(viz. GAZES, NODS, RAISED EYE-BROWS, etc.)

(d) Affect displays

(“Body-Changes” that convey our Internal Emotional States; e.g. Angry states, Wide- eyed Fear, Trembling Hands, Knocking knees, etc.)

(e) Body manipulators

(e.g. Scratching an Itch; Rubbing the eyes, etc.

Personal appearance

Clothing

Touching

Proxemics

(Study of spatial factors, viz. How we react to the SPACE around Us; How we react to the SPACE; and How our use of SPACE; etc. Communicates Certain Information.)

Spatial ZONES of Interpersonal Communication

Intimate Distance (From Actual Contact to 18”)

Personal Distance ( 

Social Distance ( 

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Public Distance (  

Territoriality

The need to call SPACE “OUR SPACE”! (e.g. To put a “Handkerchief” on a seat in order to state out one’s SPACE in a Bus/Train.)

(iii) Seating arrangements

Paralanguage (variations in the voice)

It’s a LANGUAGE alongside of LANGUAGE.

It includes VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS, such as, PITCH, RANGE,

TEMPO, RESONANCE & QUALITY and various VOCAL SOUNDS, such

as, GRUNTS,  GROANS & CLEARING OF THE THROAT.

Smell & taste

Environmental factors

(viz. Architecture; Objects; Colours; Time; Music; etc.)

Note :

For a more EXHAUSTIVE CLASSIFICATION of NON-VERBAL SIGNS, four broad

Categories can be used:

4.3.1.2 Performance codes

Wherein NON-VERBAL SIGNS emanate from BODILY ACTIONS, viz.

Facial Expressions

Eye-Movement

Gestures

Body Posture

Tactile (the Sense of Touch/Contact)

Olfaction (the sense of SMELL)

A special Sub-Category of PERFORMANCE CODES encompasses PARA-

LINGUISTIC Phenomena, such as:

Voice quality

Sighs

Yawns

Laughter

Grunts, etc.

4.3.1.3 Artifactual codes (Artifact=Artefact)

ARTIFACT is a thing made by people, especially a tool or a weapon of historical  interest.

Manipulation of Dress

Cosmetics

Furnishings

Art objects

Status symbols

Architecture, etc.

4.3.1.4 Mediational codes

Where NON-VERBAL SIGNS arise from Selections, Arrangements and Inventions within the MEDIA; e.g.

An Editor can crop a photograph in various ways(viz. He can select a photo or a drawing; He can choose Black and White or Colored Photograph; etc.)

A FILM-MAKER can select close-up or Long shot; He can add music or sound effects; He can Re-arrange his shots into a new syntax.

4.3.1.5 Contextual codes

Where NON-VERBAL SIGNS arise in the use of TIME and SPACE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, and in the arrangements of COMMUNICATORS and their ARTEFACTS.

Temporal= Relating to the affairs of the world e.g. Politics of this Life; Not spiritual

= Of or relating to TIME

= Of the Temple(s) of the Head  e.g. Rang De Basanti (Picture)