Verbal and Non Verbal Communication

By Second Group
 All humans can communicate in an effective and appropriate way through
spoken language, nonverbal actions and symbols. Communication is a dynamic
process composed by multiple elements and steps: a sender, encoding, messages,
channels, noises, a receiver, decoding, the receiver’s response and feedback, and
context.
Effective cultural communication is a key to establishing trust, obtaining
accurate health assessments, and implementing culturally congruent care with patients
and their families. Cross-cultural communication includes verbal and nonverbal
communication. These two types of communication are learnt over time and can be
understood in different ways according to culture.Everyone has a unique style of
communicating and perceiving messages. Although verbal communication is a primary
means of expression, nonverbal actions such as body language can greatly affect the
way a message is perceivedIn communication, there are two ways to convey the
message, they are verbal and nonverbal communication.
A. Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is composed by sounds, words and language which has a
direct relationship with culture.Verbal communication involves preferred language and
dialects, contextual use of the language, preferred greetings, voice volume and tone,
health literacy, and the need for interpretation and translation.
Verbal communication is the act of sharing information between individuals by
the use of speech. Any interaction that makes use of spoken words is considered as
verbal communication. It is an integral part of the business world. Oral communication
used within an organization includes personal discussions, staff meetings, telephone
discourse, formal and informal conversations and presentations.
The Verbal Communication In Various Continents:
People who used to talk more, interrupt more, talk more loudly and quickly are
called ‘high involvement’. The ‘high involvement’ people interest in a head discussion,
this is because they like to convey what they thought or enjoy the argument. In the
other hand, people who speak one at time, use polite listening sounds, refrain from
interrupting, are called ‘high considerateness’. Russian, Italian, Greek, Spanish, South
American, Arab, and African use ‘high involvement’ style in conversation. In general,
the various communication style in Asian cultures are characterized as ‘high
considerateness.
 Americans use direct way in conversation. There are several expression in
English that emphasize the importance of being direct: “Get the point”. “Don’t beat
around the bush! ”, “let’s get down to business”. Those examples are used by
Americans to convey what they thought directly. Many Americans believe that
‘honesty is the best policy’, and their communication style reflects this. However,
Asians consider if people talk in direct way, they seem talk too rude. These differences
cultures can cause miss understanding and incorrect judgment.
In conversation, Americans use ‘Ping-Pong’ style. It does not mean people talk
with playing ‘Ping-Pong’ ball. ‘Ping-Pong’ is parable of the way to communicate
actively or not become passive. For Americans, even two or three seconds of silence
can become uncomfortable. In the contrary, most of Asians use ‘bowling’ style in the
conversation. Its mean Asian know when they have a turn to talk, the person bowls
carefully. The others watch politely, and do not leave their places in line or take a turn
out of order. No one else speaks until the ball has reached the bowling pins.
Those differences appear ethnocentric judgments. This is because Americans
consider Asians are less interested in conversation. The Asians will have ethnocentric
judgment of Americans. Asian feel the Americans are pushy and overly inquisitive. In
conclusion, if we can anticipate differences in communication style, our judgments
about people more accurate.
B. Non-Verbal Communication
 What is Non-verbal Communication?
Nonverbal communication is a process of communication through sending
and receiving wordless messages. 93% of a messages was transmitted by the
speaker’s tone of voice and facial.
The process of sending and receiving wordless messages by means of facial
expressions, gaze, gestures, postures and tones of voice. Nonverbal communication
cues include all expressive signs, signals and cues, which are used to send and
receiving messages. Before moving forward, let’s keep in your mind that verbal
communication and nonverbal communication are interconnected and they operate
together in communication.
 The difference between verbal and nonverbal communication
Verbal and non-verbal are all types of communication. But the difference
between them is that we use our voice in verbal communication and we use body
language/ body signs in non-verbal communication.
Verbal and non-verbal communication plays an important role in how people
interact with one another. People are using around 35% verbal communication and
65% non-verbal communication in daily life. Non-verbal communication has also
cultural meaning.
 Power of nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication is the most powerful form of communication.
More than voice or even words, nonverbal communication helps to create your
image in others mind and even you can express your emotions and feelings in front
of others, which you are unable to express in words.
 Form of nonverbal communication
a. Eye contact
Eye contact, a key characteristic of nonverbal communication, expresses
much without using a single word. In American culture, maintaining eye contact
shows respect and indicates interest. Eye contact also establish the nature of a
relationship. Eye contact is important because insufficient of excessive eye contact
can create communication barriers. In relationships, it serves to show intimacy,
attention and influence. Patterns of eye contact are different across cultures.
 Eye contact in the United States
If you have good eye contact with a person, it generally signifies that you are
interested in the person you are looking at and in what that person saying. If you
look down or away from a person rather than meeting his or her gaze, you are
considered to be distracted or uninterested in him or her. Neglect to make eye
contact, you may be thought to lack self-confidence. Making eye contact is
generally considered a good thing in the US.
 Eye contact in Western Europe
In such countries as Spain, France and Germany tends to be similar to that in the
United States. But in the US people often avoid eye contact in crowded impersonal
public situations while walking through a busy downtown or riding public
transportation. In a country like France, however, a stranger may feel quite free to look
at someone they are interested in and try to acknowledge their interest by making eye
contact.
 Eye contact in the Middle East
Middle East cultures, largely Muslim, have strict rules regarding eye contact
between the sexes; these rules are connected to religious laws about appropriateness.
Only a brief moment of eye contact would be permitted between a man and a woman, if
at all. On the other hand, in many Middle Eastern cultures, intense eye contact between
those of the same gender especially between men can mean “I am telling you the truth! I
am genuine in what I say!”
 Eye contact in Asia, Latin America and Africa
In many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, extended eye contact can be taken
as an affront or a challenge of authority. It is often considered more polite to have only
sporadic or brief eye contact, especially between people of different social registers (like
a student and a teacher, or a child and his elder relatives). For example, if a Japanese
woman avoids looking someone in the eyes, she is not showing a lack of interest nor is
she demonstrating a lack of self-confidence; instead she is being polite, respectful and
appropriate according to her culture.
b. Facial expressions
Facial expressions are the key characteristic of non-verbal communication.
Your facial expression can communicate happiness, sadness, anger or fear. Facial
expressions carry meaning that is determined by situations and relationships.

c. Posture
Posture and how you carry yourself tells a lot about you. How you walk, sit,
stand or hold your head not only indicates your current mood, but also your
personality in general. For example, if you cross your arms while standing, you
indicate that you may be Closed off and Defensive. Meanwhile, walking with your
head down and avoiding eye contact with other may indicate shyness.
d. Haptics or Touch
Haptics communication is communicating by touch. Touch or Haptics is the
characteristic of nonverbal communication and used when we come into physical
contact with other people. Handshakes, hold hands, kissing, back slapping, high
five, brushing up against someone or pats all have meaning. Touching can be used
to sooth, or amusement during play, to flirt, to expressing power and maintaining
bonds between people such as with baby and mother. For example: we use
handshakes to gain trust and introduce ourselves
e. Gesture
A gesture is a characteristic of nonverbal communication in which visible
body actions communicate particular message. Gesture include movement of the
hands, face, or other parts of the body.
Chinese Gesture Korean Gestures

Jackie Chan says Happy New Year Saying “I love you”

Reflective: Listening Combative: Let Me Speak