Module 1. Communication process

Lesson 4

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 commnication 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)

       (b) Eye behaviour

        (c) 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.

        (e)  Personal appearance

        (f)  Clothing

        (h)  Touching

        (i)   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.)      

(i) Spatial ZONES of Interpersonal Communication

       (a) Intimate Distance (From Actual Contact to 18”)               

       (b) Personal Distance (

       (c) Social Distance (

       (d) Public Distance (

(ii) 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

       (j) 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.

      (k)  Smell & taste

      (l) 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)