Verbal and Non-Verbal communication
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Introduction
The ability to communicate effectively through both verbal and non-verbal communication is a crucial skill in establishing a prosperous relationship between people. Body language plays a vital role in the delivery of verbal message. Similarly, it helps to establish robust relationship and connects with others. On the other hand, non-verbal communication helps to ‘strengthen communication as well as improve the professional and personal relationship between them (Leathers & Eaves, 2015, p.145). Therefore, both forms of communication supplement each other. Furthermore, they help to replicate the inner personality and feelings of a person. More importantly, it helps in assertion of the senders message. Nonetheless, ‘when there is a mismatch between verbal and non-verbal communication it can cause confusion, mistrust and disappointment (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2014, p.39). Non-verbal and verbal communications comprise key concepts such as paralanguage, assertiveness and observation of body language. The paper will discuss the key concepts of communication as well as barriers to communication and how to overcome them.
Concepts of Communication
The process of communication in humans is complicated because it involves a wide range of concepts. ‘Communication involves a wide range of behaviors and cues in both non-verbal and verbal communication. Some of these include paralanguage, assertiveness, posture, body movements (Burgoon, Guerrero & Floyd, 2016, p.407). ‘Assertiveness in communication refers to the ability to affirm the message delivered through body language without being aggressive or submissive. In this regard, sender has the capability to produce a firm, balanced and smooth message in his/her communication (DeVito, 2015, p.61). Firmness in body language plays a crucial role in emphasizing the message being communicated. In addition, ‘through gestures, the speaker is able to respond in an effort to avoid or dominate a certain point (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.501). For instance, gentle touching can be utilized to provide encouragement while firm eye contact may be utilized to demonstrate determination. Similarly, the speaker can use these body languages to show rejection but should avoid aggression.
A ‘body language should also be balanced, which should be relaxed and upright (DeVito, 2015, p.105). For instance, a balanced structure and voice should be emphasized, which encourage persuasiveness, and honesty. The body language should also be smooth which means that it is not tense or jerky. Additionally, ‘communication should be delivered in a stable rate, demonstrating that the individual is relaxed. Most importantly, the message should be consistent with the expression (Leathers & Eaves, 2015, p.301). Melodious, friendly and warm features also characterize a smooth sound. Assertiveness in communication should also have open body language. ‘A person applies the arms, hands and eye contact to indicate openness. For instance, eye contact should be appropriate and regular, hence should avoid submissiveness (Beebe, Beebe & Redmond, 2014, p.207). Openness in body language consists listening, accepting and smiling. Assertiveness in communication ensures that an individual is alert meaning that they are able to respond to others concerns (Argyle, 2013, p.297).
According to Patterson, (2011), ‘non-verbal communication occupies a large share of human communication. There are a wide range of non-verbal behaviors and cues such as voice tone, gestures, eye contact and facial expression that influences unspoken behavior and communication (Patterson, 2011, p.401). In particular, facial expressions play a crucial role in non-verbal communication. ‘Certain cues such as a frown or smile, deliver critical information in communication. Moreover, facial expression helps to communicate fear, anger, sadness and happiness (Burgoon, Guerrero & Floyd, 2016, p.368). Gestures refer to careful signals and movements that promote communication without using words. Some of the most popular gestures involve applying fingers, pointing and waving.
However, ‘cultures affect the type and usage of gestures in the society (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011, p.423). ‘Eye contact is also a major part of non-verbal communication, which includes blinking, staring and looking. Eye gaze express certain emotions such as attraction, interest and hostility. Individuals also use eye contacts as a way to assess if another person is honest. In most cases, a firm eye gaze is used to signal trustworthiness and honesty in a person (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.374). However, ‘when a person show suspicious eye contact which are characterized by incapacity to sustain eye gaze, it is a strong display of deceit or dishonesty.
Haptic is also another form of non-verbal communication. ‘Haptic refers to touch which is can be used to deliver certain messages on sympathy, familiarity and affection. According to DeVito, (2015), touch is an essential way of communication, which can be utilized to ‘deliver a message on power and status (DeVito, 2015, p.241). Scholars have noted that differences in terms of sex among people affect the usage of touch in communication. For instance, ‘women use touch to deliver a message of nurturance, concerns and care. On the other hand, ‘men use it to emphasize their sense of control or power (Argyle, 2013, p.68).
‘Paralanguage refers to a system of communication, which determines the speed, inflection, loudness, tone and pitch of speaking. Therefore, it explains about vocal skill in communication. For instance, the voices tone affects the sentences meaning. The tone can therefore be used to express enthusiasm, approval, lack of interest or disapproval in communication (Leathers & Eaves, 2015, p.81). ‘A happy and bright tone is used to express happiness while cold voice tone is applied to demonstrate sorrow. In this respect, voice character and tone is used to change the meaning of a message (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011). For instance, some sentences such as IM HERE have various meanings depending on the type of voice used in communication such ‘as sighing, yelling, whining, whispering, falling, rising, slow, quick or low.
In addition, paralanguage is demonstrated both unconsciously and consciously. Burgoon, Guerrero & Floyd, (2016) argue that ‘paralanguage is very important in communication because it helps to connect and indicate the importance of words as well as in non-verbal messages. It can deliver diverse meaning, importance, value and function of words in communication. However, paralanguage should be used correctly, because it can be a source of confusion (Burgoon, Guerrero & Floyd, 2016, p.538).
Some of the paralanguage features include kinetic, vocal and systemic. Most notably, ‘paralanguage is considered systemic because it can only be used in a particular culture. Similarly, it can only demonstrate its meaning when applied in a certain area or scene (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011, p.307). ‘Furthermore, culture also determines the choice and usage of paralanguage. In this regard, persons from the same culture obtain and apply specific paralanguage due to its systemic nature (Leathers & Eaves, 2015, p.309). Kinetics or vocal determine how paralanguage is practiced. Therefore, ‘paralanguage can be categorized into three, which include proxemics, movements and gestures. Paralanguage is very important in communication because it ensures that the language is more vivid, accurate and filled of communicative energy (Argyle, 2013, p.319). It ensures that significance of words are deepened, and determined.
Barriers to effective communication
There are wide ranges of barriers that influence the communication between human beings. ‘Some of these barriers include cultural differences, semantics, emotional or psychological, personal barriers. Firstly, differences between cultures influence communication of people living in diverse regions, tribes, countries or religion (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.281). Therefore, these ‘differences lead to a variety of dialects, norms and expectations. Organizations, units, families and teams suffer from the impacts of cultural barriers when delivering their message. In this regard, symbols, colors and words have diverse meaning depending on the type of culture in the society (Burgoon, Guerrero & Floyd, 2016, p.445). They cultural factors affect communication in different ways. In this regard, it ‘is important to know how these factors are likely to limit the success of communication in order to enhance communication across cultural diversity. Due to globalization, it is important to understand vocal, pitch and tones cues that are affected by differences in culture (Argyle, 2013, p.305).
‘Personal barriers refer to those factors that are related to the receiver and the sender in communication. For instance, a person who is in a lower position of authority may be afraid to challenge those in authority. Moreover, at this case, this person fails to air his/her ideas to the superiors because risk facing adverse consequences (Argyle, 2013, p.297). Similarly, ‘junior staff suffers from low self-confidence because the managers ignore their messages. Consequently, they become a barrier in communication, hence tends to conceal, distort or modify the information (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011, p.309). Junior officers also lack incentives in their communication, which act as a barrier in delivering crucial facts, ideas and suggestions.
Semantic barriers affect communication when a ‘senders feelings or meaning of gestures, figures, symbols and signs are misunderstood. Therefore, the receiver wrongly interprets the language. In this respect, barrier is formed due to poor selection of words, erroneous sentence and word sequence, and numerous repetitions (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.125). Some words and symbols have diverse meanings which acts as a barrier in case the receiver misinterpret them. Furthermore, ‘technical jargon is a source of miscommunication in the current society. This occurs when some technical, unfamiliar and complicated are used in communication. The receiver is, therefore, unable to understand these terms, hence acting as a barrier. Simplicity is important in communication because it enhances understandings (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011, p.172). Certain gestures and body language can also act as a hindrance in the message delivered.
Emotional and psychological factors influence effectiveness of communication because ‘it is based on the mental status of the sender and receiver of the message. For instance, lack of attention, poor transmission and retention as well as distrusts can act as a hindrance in communication. For instance, effectiveness of communication depends on the trust between the receiver and sender of the message (Patterson, 2011, p.110). Therefore, ‘distrust normally leads to misunderstanding. On the other hand, when the receiver pays less attention to the messages delivered contributes to barriers in communication.
Overcoming these barriers
There are many ways to overcome challenges in effective communication. In this respect, it is important to ‘understand, cultural factors depending on religions, ethnicity, countries and geographical regions, which are likely to affect communication. This will help to use gestures, symbols, attitudes, feelings and languages that can be understood easily. Additionally, the sender should use a simple language, which ensures that technical and complicated terms are not used in certain instances (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.310). Furthermore, barriers in communication can be solved by requesting a response from the receiver after a message be delivered. The sender should also ensure that ideas, thoughts and message are organized in an appropriate manner. ‘Appropriate channels of communication should also be used in order to enhance effective delivery of messages (Vinciarelli, Pelachaud & Nijholt, 2011, p.267). Consultations also play a vital role in prior to communication, hence it is crucial to invite suggestions and ideas when preparation the communication.
Conclusion
Verbal and non-verbal communications are very essential in effective sending and receiving information because each complements the other. Non-verbal communication involves a variety of body languages such as posture, gestures, movement of head, eye contact, and facial expressions. Communication encompasses key concepts such as paralanguage and assertiveness. Paralanguage refers to certain factors in the voice such as speed, tone and pitch, which leads to differences in meaning (Knapp, Hall & Horgan, 2013, p.222). On the other hand, assertiveness in body language should be open, firm, balanced and smooth without being aggressive. Communication has a wide range of barriers, which include cultural differences, psychological factors, personal barriers and semantic challenges (Patterson, 2011). Therefore, in order to overcome these challenges the speaker should use a simple and well-organized communication that is easily understood.
References
Argyle, M. (2013). Bodily communication. Routledge.
Beebe, S., Beebe, S., & Redmond, M. (2014). Interpersonal communication (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge.
DeVito, J. A. (2015). Interpersonal Communication Book. Nelson Education.
Knapp, M. L., Hall, J. A., & Horgan, T. G. (2013). Nonverbal communication in human interaction. Cengage Learning.
Leathers, D. G., & Eaves, M. (2015). Successful nonverbal communication: Principles and applications. Routledge.
Patterson, M. L. (2011). More than words: The power of nonverbal communication (Vol. 4). Aresta.
Vinciarelli, A. E. A., Pelachaud, K. V. C., & Nijholt, A. (2011). Analysis of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication and Enactment.