Meanings without words (Non-verbal communication)

Non-verbal communication refers to a ways in which communication is effected between persons when in each other's presence, by means other than words. Non-verbal communication reinforces and complements what has been said or written. It may contradict the verbal statement. It may regulate or repeat the meanings of words, or it may substitute for words altogether.

There are number of myths about non-verbal communication. Some people wish to study it in isolation from other communication, as if it were a language in itself. Some assures us that if we learn the language of non-verbal communication we can turn it to our advantage in business and social life; some claim that we can give specific meaning to each non-verbal cue. In fact, non-verbal and verbal systems of meaning are interdependent and the meanings of both are very culture-dependent. Non-verbal communication cues convey liking and disliking, dominance and submissiveness, and high or low responsiveness.

Eye contact is a powerful non-verbal signal. In Western culture it is  believed that eye avoidance denotes shiftiness and deviousness. People who look you in the in the eye are admirable. Eyes regulate the flow of communication and conversation. Gazing and starting can convey a range of feeling and interpretation. Facial expression conveys a wide range of emotion but human beings can get used to masking their feelings. Providing information about emotion would seem to be the most important function of the face in communication. It has been estimated that the face is capable of creating 250 000 expressions.

Touching is also very culture-specific. We are used to a gradation of touching behavior between people according to their degree of intimacy.The degree of touching acceptable in any social group varies according to age, social situations and cultural background. Parents convey their feelings towards a babies in their first months almost solely through touching.

Gesture and posture can convey states of emotion or attitudes which, for example, may help or hinder the public speaker. Gesture and posture are discussed together because it is difficult to imagine one happening without the other.

Paralanguage refers to aspects of the voice other than the word meanings involved, such as loudness, tone, pitch, rate, articulation and pronunciation, pauses and silence. Together, these elements can be as important as the  meaning of the words spoken. Space communication attitudes and relationships, such as cooperation, competition or desire to remain aloof.

Making use of research into non-verbal communication is important for professional communicators. Negative cues such as shifty eyes, fidgeting, body rigidity and nasal speech may be controlled by the speaker and replaced by positive cues such as appropriate eye contact, relaxed gestures and posture, and modulated, conversational speech habits.