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Chapter 5 Nonverbal
Communication Across
Cultures
Managing Organizations in a Global
Economy: An Intercultural Perspective
First Edition
John Saee
Copyright  by South-Western, a division of Thomson Learning. All rights reserved.
Do not the most moving moments of
our lives find us all without words?
Marcel Marceau
Definition of Nonverbal
Communication
The transfer of meaningful
information from one person to
another by means other than written or
spoken language” (Elashmawi and
Harris 1993).
The Importance of Nonverbal
Communication
Your actions really speak louder than
words.
Eyes are more accurate witnesses than
ears.
(Heraclitus)
Nonverbal communication is often
responsible for first impressions.
Characteristics of Nonverbal
Communication
 All behavior has communicative
value.
 Nonverbal messages are primarily
attitudinal.
 Nonverbal communication is
ambiguous.
Similarities Between Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication
Both use a culturally agreed upon set
of symbols.
Both are products of the individuals.
Someone is attaching meaning to the
symbols we produce.
Differences Between Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication
Many of our nonverbal actions are
governed biologically.
Nonverbal communication is learned
much earlier in life.
A nonverbal message can be more
emotional in its appeal and impact.
Differences Between Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is more
universal.
A number of nonverbal messages can
be sent simultaneously.
Nonverbal communication is
continuous and never ending.
Verbal messages can be confusing,
nonverbal messages can be more so.
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication
Repeating
Substituting
Complementing and accenting
Regulating
Contradicting
Nonverbal Communication and
Culture
Nonverbal communication is a “silent
language” (Hall).
Nonverbal cues facilitate
understanding of underlying attitudes
and values.
Nonverbal Behavior in the
Workplace




Culture differences in decoding nonverbal behavior can create confusion.
Decoding ability and nonverbal
sensitivity.
Nonverbal measurement.
Encoding and impression
management.
Categories and Types of
Nonverbal Communication
Those produced by body.
Those that the individual combines
with the setting.
General appearance and dress.
Body Movements: Kinesics and
Posture
Posture.
Gestures.
There were 247 gestures cataloged
that the Arabs use when speaking.
Morris in his study of 40 countries had
isolated 20 common hand gestures
that had different meaning in each
culture.
Facial expressions
Eye contact
Touch
Smell
Paralanguage
Paralanguage involves the linguistic
elements of speech, that is, how
something is said and not the actual
meaning of the spoken words.
 Vocal characterizers
 Vocal qualifiers
 Vocal segregates
Variables external to communicator –
space, time and silence – are also
utilized and manipulated to send a
message.
Space and Distance
The distance between us and people
with whom we communicate is
conveying a message.
Furniture arrangement.
Time
Monochronic and polychronic time.
M-time: time is linear, segmented, and
manageable.
P-time: time is less tangible and
feelings of wasted time are not as
prevalent as in M-time cultures.
Four important temporal concepts:
Appointment time.
Schedule time.
Discussion time.
Acquaintance time.
 Silence
Silence sends us nonverbal cues about the
communication situation in which we
participate.
What you need to remember:
 A greater
part of the meaning conveyed
by a spoken message is communicated
non-verbally.
 The message sender is often
unconscious of sending these cognitive
messages, and the receiver is
unconscious of how and why they
convey specific impressions.
What you need to remember:
Non-verbal communication creates
impressions which work below the
conscious threshold.
Much non-verbal communication is
culturally conditioned.
The interpretations placed upon nonverbal messages sent by members of
the other culture may not correspond
to what is intended.