BUSINESS COMMUNICATION PROJECT

Non Verbal Communication

B.Com (hons) Section- A Tutorial Group A3

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Practice of drum-beating in jungles has been used for communication from the very beginning of history. These means (other than words) used in communication are known as nonverbal communication. Non-verbal communication performs six functions:a) To provide information either consciously or unconsciously. b) To regulate the flow of conversation c) To express emotion. d) To qualify, complement, contradict or expand verbal messages. e) To control or influence others f) To facilitate and simplify specific tasks.

TYPES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Non-Verbal Communication

SIGN LANGUAGE

BODY LANGUAGE

PARA LANGUAGE

SPACE, SURROUNDINGS AND TIME

SIGN LANGUAGE
Sign language involves use of audio and visual signals.
Audio Signals

A clock alarm is used to make us aware of our time. VIP motorcade alarm, accident alarm, buzzers, electric bells, sirens are some examples of audio/sound signals.
Visual Signals

A visual aid is an illustration in tabular, graphic or pictorial form. E.g. posters, drawings, cartoon, photos, caricatures, maps and diagrams, traffic lights are used to convey messages for general information and education.

BODY LANGUAGE
The study of messages conveyed by body movements is known as body language/kinesics. Body movements of a person e.g. nodding of head, blinking of eyes, shrugging of shoulders are all expressions of human thoughts and feelings. Role of different parts of the body in communication are:
HEAD: A head held high is a sign of honor, self-respect and

honesty whereas a head bent low shows modesty, politeness and guilt. Nodding the head shows listeners response to the speaker.
FACE: Face has been called the mirror of mind because whatever

a person feels deep inside is reflected on his face. Lines of forehead, eyebrows, lips all speak louder than words.

EYES: Eyes communicate our deepest feelings. Fixed eyes show

concentration, raised eyes indicate surprise, smiling eyes reflect happiness, evasive eyes indicate lack of interest or nervousness. Therefore, eye contact is of great importance in face-to-face communication. GESTURES: Gestures refer to the movements of our arms, legs, hands, torso e.t.c. Arms spread out convey the meaning of wide, shuffling legs indicate nervousness, an erect torso reflects intensity, pounding of fist on table shows anger. Gestures are often used to emphasise words. BODY SHAPE AND POSTURE: Standing or sitting erect, leaning forward or backward, stretching or bending sideways all convey meanings. A person can make positive or negative impression of himself or others through his body posture.

PARA LANGUAGE
Para language is like language. It is non-verbal because it does not involve the use of words. But it is like verbal communication because it is related to the way words are spoken. Following are the various aspects of para language: (i) VOICE: Voice used by a person reveals his education, training,temperament and general background. More clear the voice, the more effective is communication. The following aspects of voice are important in communication:(a) Speaking Speed (b) Pitch Variation (c) Volume Variation (d) Pause (ii) WORD STRESS: A speaker can change the meaning by putting stress on a word here or there in the same sentence.

SPACE LANGUAGE (PROXEMICS)

Proxemics is the study of how we communicate with the space around us. The word space here means the distance between the sender and receiver of the message in oral communication. Distance or proximity: (i) INTIMATE: (Physical contact to 18 inches) Verbal communication takes a backseat in this area. (ii) PERSONAL: (18 inches to 4 feet) Normal conversations with close friends, colleagues and visitors. (iii) SOCIAL: (4 to 12 feet) Business communications take place within this space. (iv) PUBLIC: (12 feet to as far as one can see or hear) Public announcements such as on election rallies.

Proximity
Intimate Zone Personal Zone Social Zone

Speaker

Public Zone

SILENCE
Silence can most effectively express the response or reaction to a communication. It can express fear, refusal, disapproval, resentment e.t.c. Example, a worker makes a request for next days leave and his supervisor keeps silence. It indicates refusal. A good speaker gives a slight pause before and after making an important point during his speech. A slight pause before an important point creates curiosity so that audience listens more attentively and a slight pause after enables the audience to assimilate it.