refers to all communication that occurs without the use of words, spoken or written. It includes all unwritten and unspoken messages, both intentional and unintentional. Non-verbal cues, however, speak louder than words, as even though speech can be made up, bodily expressions can rarely be masked well enough to hide one’s true feelings and emotions.
Kinesics refers to communication through the body language of the parties communicating. Kinesics is the study of the body’s physical movements. Some kinesic behaviours are deliberate. for example - Many times, during face-to-face interaction, people may nod to show their agreement or even disagreement over what is being discussed. This nodding too delivers the message without the use of any words. Therefore, even without the person realising that he/she is communicating something, the message is sent to others around him/her.
Personal appearance :
Personal appearance plays an important role; people see before they hear. Just like we adapt our language to the audience, we should also dress appropriately. Appearance includes clothes, hair, accessories, cosmetics, and so on.Personal appearance must be so planned that it communicates effectively to others because appearances communicate how we feel about ourselves and how we want to be viewed.
Posture :
Posture generally refers to the way we hold ourselves when we stand, sit, or walk. One’s posture changes according to the situation. If nervous, one would normally be seen pacing, bobbing the shoulders, fidgeting with notes, jingling coins, moving constantly, or staying glued to the ground. The way one sits, stands, or walks reveals a lot -
• Slumped posture—low spirits • Erect posture—high spirits, energy, and confidence • Lean forward—open, honest, and interested • Lean backward—defensive or disinterested • Crossed arms—defensive and not ready to listen • Uncrossed arms—willingness to listen
Gesture :
Gesture is the movement made by hands, head, or face. Skillful and appropriate gestures can add to the impact of verbal communication. A well-timed gesture not only drives a point home but also enhances the value of what is being said.Gestures clarify our ideas or reinforce them and should be well suited to the audience and occasion. Gestures are more numerous than any other form of non-verbal communication, and the meanings attached to them are diverse. It has been observed that there are as many as 700,000 varied hand gestures alone. Gestures should not divert the attention of the listener from one’s message. They should be quite natural and spontaneous. Be aware of and avoid irritating gestures such as playing with a ring, twisting a key chain, clasping hands tightly, or cracking knuckles. Gestures can roughly be divided into the following types -
• Enumerative — numbers • Descriptive — size of the objects • Symbolic — abstract concepts • Locative — location of an object • Emphatic — emphasis
Facial expression :
Along with postures and gestures, facial expressions also play an important part in non-verbal communication. The face is the most expressive part of our body. The six basic facial expressions are: • Happiness • Surprise • Disgust • Fear • Anger • Sadness
Paralinguistics :
Paralinguistics refers to spoken communication through changes in the rate of speech, accent, volume, voice modulation, pitch, and fluency. For example, a simple sentence like “Come here!” can be said authoritatively or endearingly, depending on the tone of voice of the sender.