Download INTRODUCTION Communication is a vital part of our

INTRODUCTION
Communication is a vital part of our daily routines. Thus, nothing can be done from one end to the other without
the aspect of involving communication. Students sit in school and listen to teachers. People read books and
magazines in order to enrich themselves with information. All world over people talk to one another, watch
television, and communicate over the telephone or internet. This is all embodied in the term known as
communication. There are many forms that can be used to communicate between parties concerned, and one of
them is non-verbal communication. Thus, non-verbal communications are vital in the study of communication.
Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify at least ten body languages, their possible means and the
consequence to the process of communication. To achieve this, the paper will begin by defining what
communication and non-verbal communication are, thereafter get into the gist of the matter and then a conclusion
will be drawn at the end.
Communication defined
Communication comes from the Latin word communico which means to share or way of sharing information
(Cerry, 1980). According to the Oxford Dictionary (2005, 11 ed.) the term communication has been defined as
an act of sending and receiving information. Thus, Mwansa, (2005) postulates that communication is more than
talking. He further states that to communicate is to share. Therefore, for communication to be complete there has
to be the sender and the receiver. The sender should communicate to the receiver and the receiver should receive
the massage. To complete the cycle of communication the sender has to communicate back to the sender, and this
is called feedback. There are three main types of communication: written communication, verbal communication
and non-verbal communication. Each form has its benefits and drawbacks.
Nonverbal communication
Mwansa (2005) states that the body speaks a universal language. Thus, the study of non-verbal expressions is
called kinetics. Nonverbal communication describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non-word
messages. There are a number of examples of non-verbal communication that there are in the process of
communication, including haptic communication, chronemic communication, gestures, body language, facial
expressions, eye contact, nodding, biting fingers, tapping fingers, rising of eye bows colour coding and how one
dresses. Non-verbal communication also relates to intent of a message. Examples of intent are voluntary,
intentional movements like shaking a hand or winking, as well as involuntary, such as sweating. Speech also
contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, e.g. rhythm, intonation, tempo, and stress. There may even
be a pheromone component. Mark (2014) in his research has shown that up to 55% of human communication
may occur through non-verbal facial expressions, and a further 38% through para-language. He further states that
non-verbal communication affects sharing of information most at the subconscious level and establishes trust.
Likewise, written texts include nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words and
the use of emoticons to convey emotion. For example, one can send a massage attached to it with a smiley face.
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It is must therefore be understood that some of the functions of nonverbal communication in humans are to
complement and illustrate, to reinforce and emphasize, to replace and substitute, to control and regulate, and to
contradict the denotative message.
EXAMPLES OF BODY LANGUAGE
According to Cherry (1980) body language is a language in which physical behavior, as opposed to words, is used
to express feelings. Such behavior includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and
the use of space. Body language exists in both animals and humans, but this article focuses on interpretations of
human body language.
According Lillo Martin and Diane (2006) they postulate that body language must not be confused with sign
language, as sign languages are full languages like spoken languages and have their own complex grammar
systems, as well as being able to exhibit the fundamental properties that exist in all languages. Body language, on
the other hand, does not have a grammar and must be interpreted broadly, instead of having an absolute meaning
corresponding with a certain movement, so it is not a language like sign language, and is simply termed as a
language due to popular culture.
Arms crossed over the chest
This example of body language can indicate that a person is being defensive. It can also demonstrate that the
individual with crossed arms disagrees with the opinions or actions of other individuals with whom they are
communicating.
Nail biting
Nail biting is a type of habit than can demonstrate stress, nervousness, or insecurity. Oftentimes people bite their
nails without even realizing it.
Hand placed on the cheek
This example of body language can indicate that a person is lost in thought, or is considering something.
Sometimes when the hand is on the cheek, it is accompanied by a furrowed brow, which further demonstrates
deep concentration.
Tapping or drumming the fingers
Finger-tapping demonstrates that a person is growing impatient or tired of waiting.
Head tilted to one side
A tilted head demonstrates that a person is listening keenly, or is interested in what is being communicated.
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Touching the nose
When someone touches or rubs their nose, it can signify a number of things: it can be a signal of disbelief or
rejection, or it can also demonstrate that an individual is being untruthful about what they are saying.
Rubbing the hands together briskly
This can show that a person’s hands are cold. It is also a way of communicating that an individual is excited for
something, or is waiting in anticipation.
Placing the tips of the fingers together
Steepling of the fingers, or placing the tips of them together, is a demonstration of control and authority. This
type of body language can be used by bosses or authority figures to subtly demonstrate that they are running
things.
Palms open, facing upward
An open palm is a sign of openness and honesty. It can be a show of submission – in older days when many
people carried weapons, this was used to show that they were not holding one – or of sincerity and innocence.
Some people open their palms during worship at church as a sign of submission and respect.
Head in hands
Yet another example of body language that might mean a number of things, the head in hands move can
demonstrate boredom, or it might show that a person is upset or ashamed and does not want to show their face.
Locked ankles
When the ankles are locked together, either while standing or seated, it can communicate nervousness or
apprehension.
Standing up straight, shoulders back
This position shows that a person is feeling confident of him or herself, and is often accompanied with walking
at a brisk stride.
Stroking of the beard or chin
When one strokes the chin, he or she is communicating deep thought. Such a motion is often used unintentionally
when an individual is trying to come to a decision about a matter.
Pulling of the ear
People often pull the lobes of one of their ears when they are attempting to make a decision, but remain indecisive.
This motion demonstrates the inability to come to a conclusion.
Each of these examples of body language clearly communicates a message even without saying a word.
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CONSEQUENCE TO THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
In a community, there are agreed-upon interpretations of particular behavior. Interpretations may vary from
country to country, or culture to culture. On this note, there is controversy on whether body language is universal.
Body language, a subset of nonverbal communication, complements verbal communication in social interaction.
Thus, each of the examples of body language outline and explained in the foregoing clearly explains and
communicates that a message can be channeled even without saying a word. In fact, some researchers conclude
that nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted during interpersonal
interactions. Onsager and Mark (2014) appreciates that verbal communication helps to establish the relationship
between two people and regulates interaction, but can be ambiguous. Hence, it is crucial to accurately read body
language to avoid misunderstanding in social interactions.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion the paper has defined what communication is as postulated by Cherry that it is a process of sharing
information. Also in the foregoing, it was discovered that nonverbal communication is a subcomponent of body
communication which describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non-word messages. It was
further explained in the paper that there are a number of examples of non-verbal communication that are found
in the process of communication, including haptic communication, chronemic communication, gestures, body
language, facial expressions, eye contact, nodding, biting fingers, tapping fingers, rising of eye bows colour
coding and how one dresses. Non-verbal communication also relates to intent of a message. Finally, and certainly
not the list, the paper discussed the consequences of non-verbal communication to the process of communication.
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REFEENCE
Mwansa, D.M. (2005) Study and Communication Skills: Module EDG 1. Zambia: Lusaka. ZAOU.
Cherry, C. (1980). On Human Communication. A Review, Survey and a Criticism. Massachusetts: MTI.
Walton Donald. (1991) Are You Communicating? New York: McGraw-Hill.
Dana R., Amy J., Yap, Andy J. (8 April, 2010). Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine
Levels and Risk Tolerance. Psychological Science.
Sandler, Wendy., & Lillo-Martin, Diane. (2006). Sign Language and Linguistic Universals. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Klima, Edward, S. & Bellugi, Ursula. (1979). The signs of language. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
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Onsager, Mark. (2014). Understanding the Importance of Non-Verbal Communication, Body Language
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Kurien, Daisy N (March 1, 2010). Body Language: Silent Communicator at the Workplace. IUP Journal of Soft
Skills. 4 (1/2): 29–36.
Gu, Yuanyuan, Mai Xiaoqin, Luo Yue-jia, Di Russo, Francesco (23 July 2013). Do Bodily Expressions
Compete with Facial Expressions? Time Course of Integration of Emotional Signals from the Face and the
Body.
Mondloch, Catherine J.; Nelson, Nicole L.; Horner, Matthew; Pavlova, Marina (10 September 2013).
Asymmetries of Influence: Differential Effects of Body Postures on Perceptions of Emotional Facial
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Ramadas, Nidhin. Retrieved 13 September 2016. Handshake. Beckman Institute.
Oxford Dictionary Eleventh edition 2005
www.google.com. The Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. On communication and non-verbal communication.
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