Verbal communication involves the exchange of information through spoken or written words, while non-verbal communication conveys information without words through gestures, facial expressions and other cues. Non-verbal communication is culturally regulated, as cues can have different meanings across cultures. For example, eye contact, physical touch, gestures, use of space, facial expressions, posture, and paralanguage like volume and pitch are interpreted differently in various cultures and contexts. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in accentuating, complementing, contradicting or substituting for verbal messages.
Verbal communication involves the exchange of information through spoken or written words, while non-verbal communication conveys information without words through gestures, facial expressions and other cues. Non-verbal communication is culturally regulated, as cues can have different meanings across cultures. For example, eye contact, physical touch, gestures, use of space, facial expressions, posture, and paralanguage like volume and pitch are interpreted differently in various cultures and contexts. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in accentuating, complementing, contradicting or substituting for verbal messages.
Verbal communication involves the exchange of information through spoken or written words, while non-verbal communication conveys information without words through gestures, facial expressions and other cues. Non-verbal communication is culturally regulated, as cues can have different meanings across cultures. For example, eye contact, physical touch, gestures, use of space, facial expressions, posture, and paralanguage like volume and pitch are interpreted differently in various cultures and contexts. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in accentuating, complementing, contradicting or substituting for verbal messages.
Verbal communication involves the exchange of information through spoken or written words, while non-verbal communication conveys information without words through gestures, facial expressions and other cues. Non-verbal communication is culturally regulated, as cues can have different meanings across cultures. For example, eye contact, physical touch, gestures, use of space, facial expressions, posture, and paralanguage like volume and pitch are interpreted differently in various cultures and contexts. Non-verbal communication plays an important role in accentuating, complementing, contradicting or substituting for verbal messages.
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Define verbal and non-verbal communication.
Evaluate how non-verbal communication is
culturally regulated.
Verbal communication is the process of exchanging information or message between two or
more persons through written or oral words. It maybe in two forms that is: written and oral communication. It is an agreed-upon and rule-governed system of symbols used to share meaning. Examples are face-to-face conversations, group discussions, counseling, interview, radio, television, calls.
Nonverbal communication refers to any information that is communicated without using
words. According to Dr. Charles Tidwell, the concept serves a number of functions:
To accent the meaning of verbal messages (such as pointing while stating directions) To complement or contradict verbal messages (such as indicating sarcasm using verbal tone) To regulate interactions with others (such as using nonverbal cues to indicate when people should and should not speak) To substitute for verbal messages (such as nodding instead of saying “yes”)
Some characteristics of non-verbal communication are as follows:
No use of words: Non-verbal communication is a communication without words or language
like oral or written communication. It uses gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, physical proximity, touching etc. for communicating with others.
Culturally determined: Non-verbal communication is learnt in childhood, passed on to you by
your parents and others with whom you associate. Through this process of growing up in a particular society, you adopt the taints and mannerisms of your cultural group.
Different meaning: Non-verbal symbols can many meanings. Cross-culture aspects give various meanings to same expression in respect of non-verbal communication. Vague and imprecise: Non-verbal communication is quite vague and imprecise. Since in this communication there is no use of words or language which expresses clear meaning to the receiver.
May conflict with verbal message: Non-verbal communication is so deeply rooted, so
unconscious, that you can express a verbal message and then directly contradict it with a nonverbal message.
Largely unconscious: Non-verbal communication is unconscious in the sense that it is usually
not planned nor rehearsed. It comes almost instantaneously.
Shows feelings and attitudes: Facial expressions, gestures, body movements, the way you use your eyes – all communicate your feelings and emotions to others.
Informality: Non verbal communication does not follow any rules, formality or structure like other communication. Most of the cases people unconsciously and habitually engaged in non- verbal communication by moving the various parts of the body.
Although nonverbal communication is a universal phenomenon, meanings of nonverbal cues are
not, in fact, universal. They vary tremendously across cultures and are often ambiguous. Below are forms of nonverbal communication, as well as specific cultural variances.
Eye contact - Whether or not eye contact is made, who makes it and how long it lasts vary tremendously in meaning. In many Asian cultures, avoiding eye contact is seen as a sign of respect. However, those in Latin and North America consider eye contact important for conveying equality among individuals. In Ghana, if a young child looks an adult in the eye, it is considered an act of defiance.
Touch - A great number of cultural expressions are achieved through touch. In America, for example, using a firm handshake is considered appropriate to greet a stranger or another business professional. In France, however, it is common to kiss someone you greet on both cheeks. Touching children on the head is fine in North America. Yet in Asia, this is considered highly inappropriate, as the head is considered a sacred part of the body. In the Middle East, the left hand is customarily used to handle bodily hygiene. Therefore, using that hand to accept a gift or shake hands is considered extremely rude. There are also a wide range of cultural viewpoints on the appropriate rules regarding physical contact between both similar and opposite genders.
Gestures - Gestures can convey wildly different meanings. Individuals in the United States use the “OK” sign to convey that something is acceptable. In Japan, the same hand symbol means “money.” Argentinians, Belgians, the French and the Portuguese all use the symbol to mean “zero” or “nothing.” Still other countries in eastern Europe consider that same sign an offensive swear.
Physical Space - Countries that are densely populated generally have much less need for personal space than those that are not. The Japanese, for example, are less likely to react strongly to an accidental touch by a stranger than Americans. Less personal space is also needed in areas such as Latin America, and, in the context of one-on-one conversations, the Middle East.
Facial Expressions - Winking is a facial expression particularly varied in meaning. In Latin
America, for example, the gesture is often considered a romantic or sexual invitation. The Yoruba people in Nigeria wink at their children if they want them to leave the room. And the Chinese consider the gesture rude.
Posture - Posture can convey power structures, attitudes and levels of civility. Slouching in Taiwan is considered disrespectful, while other parts of the world may not think much of it one way or another. In America, standing with hands on the hips may suggest power or pride, but in Argentina, it may suggest anger or a challenge. Many cultures also frown upon showing the bottom of the shoe, something that is considered dirty. Therefore, sitting with the foot resting on the opposite knee is strongly discouraged in places such as many Arab countries.
Paralanguage - “Paralanguage” refers to factors of speech such as accent, pitch range, volume or articulation. In Britain, for example, people use volume to convey anger, while in India, they use it to command attention. Japanese women make a point of raising the pitch of their voices to differentiate themselves from men. In America, voice pitch between genders remains comparably the same. The use of and attitude toward silence can also be considered a type of paralanguage. The Greeks use silence as a way to refuse things, while Egyptians use it to consent. Some cultures (such as those in Asia) are generally more comfortable with long bouts of silence than others. REFERENCE:
https://thebusinesscommunication.com/what-is-verbal-communication-and-non-verbal- communication/(accessed on 25-10-18)
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/non-verbal-communication.html(accessed on 25- 10-18)
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-introductiontocommunication/chapter/defining-verbal- communication/(accessed on 23-10-18) Christian College of Southern Africa
