VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

What is verbal communication?

 Verbal communication involves speaking and writing.
 It is communication that is spoken and written.
(intrapersonal or interpersonal)
- We use spoken communication in every aspect of our
life. We also are engaged in writing. E.g. Tweeting,
Instagram DM, Facebook messages, Snapchat,
WhatsApp, Duo.
o Words – spoken or written
What is non-verbal communication?
 Involves communicating without words
- However, it can be accompanied by sounds i.e. voice
inflections. Physical gestures, art forms and symbols
fall into this category. (e.g. Screaming with or without
words)
o Physical gestures
o Art forms
o Symbols
o Accessories
 It involves the use of gestures or movement
and also the way people use objects and
personal appearance to communicate.
 It may be filled with purpose and a desire to
send a message or it might be accidental
and unintentional.
 SUBDIVISIONS OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION (BCDGKPP)
Body Dress Graphics and Paralanguag Kinesics
Chronemics Proxemics
Language (Artefacts) Symbols e
Movement of The use of time to Use of space to Using the way you Use of color, graphs, The use of pitch, Use of facial
the body (limbs, communicate communicate clothe/accessorize to sign language, flags volume and expressions to
phalanges, torso, convey meaning (semaphore) intonation of communicate
head) speech
Movement of  Arriving  Allowing  Your mode  Different  Shouting These
the body early person of dress can colors can expressions
into indicate your symbolize are achieved
personal religious emotions or through
space status various
muscle
movements in
the face
 Limbs  Being on  Not  The items  Signs can be  Speaking The
time having you choose visual fast/slow expressions
close to representation tend to
contact accessories s of spoken indicate a
with other your body or instructions person’s
individual your emotions or
environment thoughts
can indicate
your biases
or beliefs.
 Phalange  Turning  They can  Semaphores  Modulatin Rolling the
s up late also relay can replace g voice eyes, hissing
your verbal the teeth
relationship statements
 status, your
educational
level
 Torso These can These actions can E.g wearing a hijab Tattoos, road These difference ‘screwing up
indicate a number suggest the kind symbols, thumbs up in sounds can the face’
of things such as of relationship indicate fear, joy,
superiority, lack you have or wish nervousness,
of interest, poor to have with the boredom,
work ethics etc receiver excitement, etc.
 Head e.g hug vs Wearing ‘brand
shaking hands clothes’
E.g shrugging, E.g an employer ‘rubbing Choice of chains,
shaking the who has a shoulders’ with earrings, cars,
head, pointing prospective an individual vs television
the finger employee waiting ‘keeping them at
in a lobby area a distance’
after the
scheduled time of
the interview
Verbal communication scenario
- The date is August 28, 1963. My name is Martin
Luther King and I’m about to deliver my famous ‘I have
a Dream Speech’.

Non-verbal communication scenarios

- I entered the classroom on Thursday morning. As soon
as I stepped through the door I saw her. I saw her,
Mrs. Clark-Thomas sprawled out across the table,
snoring as usual. I roll my eyes, hiss my teeth and
make my way to my seat. When will we finally start
learning something in this class? I thought. – Kinesics
- ‘Who tek yuh sweetie?’ Ma asked. Lisa pointed at the
muscular boy across the stress. – Body language
- Mr. Benji was Annie’s supervisor whom she detested.
Before he started working she was the star worker.
Always on time, always completing her tasks quickly.
She was the pearl of the work place. Now, Annie has
made it her mission to arrive 30 minutes to an hour
late every day. After all, someone has to show this
newbie who runs things around here. – Chronemics
- Zainab wears her hijab and niqab to school every day.
– dress
- Penelope, a non-verbal student, uses American Sign
Language to communicate with her best friend Zora
who is a CODA and has experience with ASL.
– graphics and symbols
- Amira and Shelly often hug in the parking lot
whenever they see each other. –proxemics
 FUNCTIONS OF NON-VERBALS
 Substituting (Body language)
 Regulating (body language and gestures/symbols)
 Reinforcing (kinesics and body language)
 Contradicting (body language)
 Managing impressions (Chronemics, dress)
 Establishing relationships (proxemics)

SUBSTITUTING
 Using a non-verbal cue to replace a verbal one. E.g. waving
for goodbye

REGULATING
 Using non-verbal to control the environment. E.g. raising
hands to indicate a desire to join a conversation; policeman
indicating flow of traffic

REINFORCING
 Utilizing the non-verbal along with verbal. E.g. nodding and
saying “yes”, winking and whispering “see you later”,
thumbs up and “good job”.

CONTRADICTING
 Using non-verbal to indicate the opposite of verbal. E.g.
shaking head for negative while speaking in the positive

MANAGING IMPRESSIONS
 Using non-verbal to convey your personality, status, etc.
E.g. the way in which one stands, sit, dress etc.
ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS
 How close or far away we stay from people we are
communicating