Non-Verbal and Oral Communication - Coursework Example

Name: Professor: Institution: Course: Date: Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 2.0 Systems on Non-verbal Communication ------------------------------------------ 4 2.1 Tone of voice ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4 2.2 Body gestures------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 2.3 Body posture ------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 2.4 Intonation----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 2.5 Facial expression -------------------------------------------------------------- 5 2.6 A pause ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 3.0 Application on Non-Verbal communication in business ------------------------- 6 4.0 How to improve Communication skills -------------------------------------------- 7 Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 References ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 1.0 Introduction Communication either verbal or non-verbal is the mode of interaction between people. When people communicate face to face we refer to the system used as verbal communication. Other than the use of words all other means to communicate is referred to as non-verbal communication. Many scholars and researchers have defined oral communication differently but all of them narrow into some of the most used symbols of passing on information as the body posture, facial expressions, body gestures, the tone of voice and vocal noises (Kumar et al 2007). A spoken word can be interpreted either in form of verbal and non-verbal simultaneously since rather than the word or message an individual will portray a gesture or facial expression that can be interpreted differently. Often non-verbal communication always precedes verbal communication and individuals are used to observing the expression that is created on the body or image of the partner before he or she utters a word. The use of non-verbal communication often is trusted because individuals tend to express themselves unconsciously without knowing that they have already passed on information. It is therefore not easy to lie through use of non-verbal communication but generally people will lie when using verbal communication. During interpretation the hearer is thus in a better state of speaking out on what the other person is trying to communicate or pass on a message. In the day to day activities sometimes people find it hard to understand what the other person is trying to communicate which ends up being a communication breakdown or the other person telling the speaker to repeat his words or sentence (Kushal 2009). Oral communication however is only through face to face when people speak to one another through uttering words. However people have always manipulated others through the use on non-verbal communication by controlling them through persuasion, complimenting through gestures as well as repeating what they have already spoken verbally. Thus the use of non-verbal communication can be established as a substitute of verbal communication (Rizvi 2010) 2.0 Systems of Non-verbal Communication 2.1 Tone of Voice The way by which an individual speaks back to a person can be interpreted by the tone at which he raises back the answer. A tone may be pitch high when they are aggressive, low when nervous and disappointed, critical, persuasive and sarcastic. For instance when the news anchors read news they are more factual in tone while politicians have to really emphasize their wishes and often use rousing tones so that they can communicate to as many people as possible for votes (Besson 2011) 2.2 Vocal noises Noises are essential because it is easy to express the attitude and feelings inside a person. Normally people will laugh to express joy, cry to show pain and bitterness, scream while in pain or express disgust following certain uncouth behaviour of an individual (Lesli Rae 2005). It is very hard to consider noises as part of a communication system but it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that it is a form of communication like any other. 2.3 Body Gestures The hands and head are normally used to confirm, show expression in conjunction with verbal communication. If the individual leaves out verbal communication to complete the body gesture communication then the system is referred to as emblem. Examples of emblem include “high five” hand gesture of celebrating victory and waving a good bye using the hand. 2.4 Body Posture Body posture should not be confused with body gesture because these are two different methods of non-verbal communication system. The body posture speaks volumes of the speaker’s body. Here we are not referring to whether an individual is walking or seated but emphasizing on the posture of the body such as whether it is erect, relaxed or the position of arms and legs. Often you find the speaker’s arms or legs crossed or they are slouching on the couch when speaking. 2.5 Intonation During a speech or when an individual is speaking the voice may at times fall and on the other hand rise sending off a different message to the hearer. Intonation can be well expressed whereby a speech has an exclamation mark, comma, question mark or semi-colon. This are used to indicate clearly the end of a sentence or notification of when to pause while reading written communication. Intonation is further used to indicate and emphasize details that should not be ignored but rather they are to be stressed firmly. 2.7 Facial Expression An individual’s face has a lot to communicate in terms of emotions and the facial expressions that can be observed during speech. Emotions are embalmed on primarily on the face either through yawning when hungry or sleepy, smiling, sneering with disgust, raising eyebrows when shocked and so on. It is however difficult to monitor the eye of the speaker during oral communication as the eyes are also parts of the key facial behavior. Staring by the speaker can be interpreted to mean candidness and openness. How often the speaker makes eye contact suggests the extent of interest to the hearer or boredom to both parties and vice versa. Other facial expression as rolling the eyes is distinguished with fatigue and glancing facing downwards is an expression of being modest. 2.7 A pause A pause can be used to mean that the speaker is hesitant, tense or uncertain. Non-verbal communication is also referred to a being judgmental in conclusion of an individual’s character. A similar function of pausing indicates voice suspension but it should not be confused with intonation (Besson 2011) 3.0 Application of Non-Verbal Communication in Business Businesses have to thrive in this fast dynamic world of competition and innovation. Researchers have narrowed down to 5 elements that are mostly associated with nonverbal communication in application of business principals. This are gestures, written communication, movement, eye contact and posture. A business communicator should ensure that he gets good eye contact with his audience or customers while communicating or selling his goods or products. This can be tricky because the customers may attempt to feel intimidated by the frequency of repeated eye contact. Gestures used by a business provider through parts of the body such as feet, hands and legs should express confidence to the customers (Richard 2008). When it comes to movement, men pay keen attention to body movement and hence to capture men’s attention movement is the right concept of language to administer. Nervous movement is however a drawback of negativity towards the speaker. Written communication can be lengthy, formal, informal or too brief depending on the message that the speaker is trying to communicate. A business man requires a strong and upright posture so that he expresses trust, confidence, power and authority of how to handle transactions and market the business. Sales men use walking the talk posture which is mental in nature. They sell their products or goods through talking big and will actual at times say things that are not true in real life to win the customers (Rizvi 2010). 4.0 How to Improve Communication Skills Andrew D. Miles (2007) has pointed out fifteen ways of improving Oral Communication. These include memorizing key words so that you do not forget what is most important. Failure to pass a message across requires that the speaker magnifies the gestures. Using one idea in phrase and building around the idea with several words will help pass the message to the hearer. It is also important to give the audience clues while changing subjects when a topic has already been introduced e.g “while we are on the subject”. When interrupting a speech its always good to use a polite phrase such as “may I have a word ….”.To avoid confusing listeners the words should be organized in a manner that is easy for them to understand and interpret. Slang and foul language should be avoided as much as possible during any form of communication in business functions. There are times when the speaker is empty of words and use of fillers such as certainly, ok, clearly, well, really can assist the speaker to fill the gap when stranded. Dr Harry Alder et al.(2005) emphasize that the tone of voice , speed and body movement creates a rapport with the audience and the speakers should consider even training for the body language gestures and communication systems. Conclusion Non-verbal communication is an easy way to pass a message, however in business it has strong indicators of recognition and requires confidence for the speaker to face challenges that may arise. From the above discussion there are very many ways on using non-verbal communication than there is using oral communication and since non-verbal communication precedes verbal communication then we can conclude that non-verbal communication is a more powerful mode of message transmission and expression. References Andrew D. Miles (2007). 15 ways to improve oral communication in Business English. Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from www.barcelonaenglish.com/.../15%20Ways%20to%20Improve%20Oral%20Communication%20in.. Arun Kumar& Rachana Sharma.(2007). Principles of Business Management 1st Edition: New Delhi, Atlantic publishers and distributes Besson 2011) The importance of non-verbal communication Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from aiic.net/ViewPage.cfm/page1662.htm Differences between oral and written language. Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/speech/differences.htm - Differences between verbal and non-verbal communication Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid... - United States Dr Harry Alder et al.(2005): Non-Verbal Communication Kushal ( 2009) Business Communication 1st Edition: London Lesli Rae (2005). Using people skills in training and Development Non-verbal communication Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-verbal communication Non-verbal and oral communication skills Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from www.newyorkspeechandvoice.com/non-verbal-communication-oral-skills.html - Non-Verbal Communication in Business Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from http://EzineArticles.com/5406 Oral and non-verbal communication Retrieved on 10th June 2011 from www.scribd.com/doc/.../Oral-Non-Verbal-Communication Rizvi( 2010) Effective Technical Communication Richard P. Picardi (2008). Skills of workplace communication Read More