Verbal & Non-VerbalVerbal & Non-Verbal

Presenter: Mrs. Schaaffe-McFarlanePresenter: Mrs. Schaaffe-McFarlane

Verbal Communication

Section 1

This involves the use of speech and writing to

communicate. (Lord Et. Al., 2012)

Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and language to relay a message. It serves as a vehicle for expressing desires, ideas and concepts and is vital to the processes of learning and teaching.http://www.livestrong.com/article/150573

Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication

Oral/Spoken

• Oral communication consists of all spoken exchanges. In oral communication, verbal feedback typically follows the initial message whether in the form of a question or comment.

• Casual conversations among friends as well as political debates fall into this category.

Verbal Communication

Written

Another form of verbal communication which requires no speech. Written communication, while technically nonverbal, commonly falls under the umbrella of verbal communication for the use of words (language) to convey ideas.

Books, letters, email, texts, memos, magazines, newspapers and personal journals are all examples of verbal communication.

Verbal Communication

Formal

• Meeting strangers • Within a business or legal

setting. • Official corporate

communications such as • meetings• speeches• conferences• letters and • Memorandums

Verbal Communication

InformalInformal

Casual spoken and written exchanges.

Informal conversations between friends, co-workers and even

strangers. It requires a common

bond; therefore, it takes place most frequently between close friends and family members.

Language is symbolic – By themselves, language elements

usually have no meaning: the symbols are arbitrary(randomly selected).

Meanings are in people not in words. Language is governed by rules

Phonological rules –govern how sounds are combined to form words

Semantic rules – define the meaning of specific words Syntactic rules – govern the structure of the language, the

way symbols can be arranged Pragmatic rules – govern the appropriateness of words in

given contexts

Characteristics of Verbal Communication

Verbal communication satisfies basic functions such as:

describing ideas

Making requests

solving problems

Functions of Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication shapes attitudes: attitudes towards others and ourselves.It is manifested through naming

It influences our credibility

It influences our status

It informs issues of racism and sexism

Functions of Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication reflects our attitudes:Power (feelings of control)

Affiliation (establishing relationships)

Attraction

Responsibility

Functions of Verbal Communication

Verbal includes both spoken and written communication:Equivocal language – language that allows for the possibility of several different meanings.Relative terms – words that do not have one exact/specific definition. They gain meaning by comparison and can change depending on context.Slang – non standard words and phrases in a given language.

Types of Verbal Communication

Jargon – language used by personnel in a particular

field. Argot – secret language used by various groups e.g.

Schoolmates, prisoners Overly abstract language – Abstract language is used

to discuss ideas. Overly abstract language leaves too much room for interpretation and hides details from others.

Types of Verbal Communication

Emotive language – the deliberate choice of words to

elicit emotion in others.e.g. The men were killed.

The innocent man was executed in cold blood in front of his two year old son.

Evasive language – language that is used to avoid a situation.

Types of Verbal Communication

Non-verbal Communication

Section 2

Non-verbal communication refers to a wide array of

behaviours by which we communicate messages without the use of the voice (McDermott, 2008).

Non-verbal communication is when information is transferred from sender to receiver without the use of words (Lord Et. Al., 2012).

Non-verbal Communication

According to McDermott, 2008 such behaviours are

also termed communicative behaviours since they consistently and inevitably convey meaning.

It can be conscious and deliberate or unconscious and accidental.

Non-verbal Communication

It exists

It has communicative value

It is primarily relational

It is ambiguous

It is culture –bound

The Characteristics of Non-verbal Communication

The most obvious non-verbal behaviours are seen in

our: Vocalics/paralanguage Proxemics Chronemics Artefacts Movement Use of our five senses

Non - Verbal Communication

Vocalics/paralanguage

Non-verbal Communication

Vocalics/Paralanguage

Refers to the use of: volume tone pitch rate of speaking to give additional

meaning or emphasis to what is spoken.

Activity

Say “come here” using a variety of tone, volume and pitch to highlight different meanings.

Non-verbal Communication

Proxemics

Non-verbal Communication

ProxemicsProxemics

Refers to the use of space to convey an idea or image.

Our use of space or proximity is a significant indicator of how close or intimate we feel toward others.

Everyone observes the space around them, this is

called personal space. The concept of personal space is determined by

cultures. Eastern cultures: a kiss on the cheek is a common form

of greeting Western cultures: a handshake is the common form of

greeting.

Proxemics

Chronemics

Non-verbal Communication

ChronemicsChronemics

This is the use of and attitude to time which discloses information about: our status relationship with

others our self-concept

Being late for appointments duties and

responsibilities is almost always read as a sign of disrespect or lack of commitment.

Chronemics

To be punctual suggests that one is:

focused on and committed to the task at hand,

or that one respects those with whom one is meeting.

Chronemics

Artifacts

Non-verbal Communication

Artifacts

The things we own, use, wear and even discard all convey messages about us: Our preferences Tastes Resources Or lack of resources

Movement

Non-verbal Communication

Movement

Posture Gestures Facial expressions and Body languageare perhaps the most

obvious in communicating messages about our attitudes and feelings.

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

Section 3

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

Substituting

A word is replaced or substituted by an action or movements may be used to build sentences and communicate sophisticated concepts.

E.g. Traffic officers, Traffic signs

Come

here

…

Reinforcing Reinforcing

The use of non-verbal communication to complement or add to our verbal sounds.

E.g. pointing and nodding head while speaking

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

Regulating

The use of non-verbal signs to show interest or regulate the flow of interaction.

E.g. hand signal of drivers, raising of the hand to show that you want to say something, traffic cop

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

ContradictionContradiction

To change or contradict your verbal message you can display an opposite non-verbal behaviour.

E.g. Sarcasm, facial expression – bored but you nod and keep eye contact.

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

Managing Impressions

Managing Impressions

The creation and control of the way others perceive you by the way in which you dress, speak, walk.

The use of a car, dog, house, and jewelry to create an impression about yourself.

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

EstablishingRelationshipEstablishingRelationship

Non-verbal messages are used to establish or reveal a relationship.

If, when, how and where you touch someone will communicate information about the relationship you have.

Functions of Non-verbal Communication

McDermott, H. (2008) CAPE Communication

Studies. Pg. 158 – 163

Lord, L. et. al. (2012) CAPE Communication Studies. Pg. 130, 139-140.

Further Readings