Nonverbal Communication Paper - Essay Example

We use it almost in half of our communications daily subconsciously. We communicate nonverbally when ever we smile, gesture to come in, widen our eyes or clasp our face. We are unaware about it but use it to convey our emotions nonverbally. When speaking to an audience the speaker sends verbal as well as non verbal messages. The eye contact and gestures send messages of their own. “If the body language opposes with the words you are speaking the entire speech becomes worthless (Toastmasters int’l, 2011, p 3).

” There are many biological factors on which the audience judges a person by many means other than the words being spoken. Facial expressions A person can unknowingly express a thousand words by facial expression. A smile or a frown express the extent of delight in the meeting nonverbally. As nonverbal gestures can vary throughout cultures but the smile, frown or a grunt are known to be the same globally. Gestures Intentional gestures such as waving or pointing or using the fingers to point out numbers are an important way to communicate nonverbally.

Other gestures can vary according to regions. Paralinguistic This is another way to judge the speaker. The tone, loudness, pitches in the voice separates the actual tone being used otherwise. When the speaker uses loudness to emphasize on something it means enthusiasm and need for acknowledgement while a sullen voice would not be hesitant to point out the lack of interest by the speaker. Posture This apart from the speaker shows a lot about the listener. The body language shows exactly what is going on in the mind of the listeners, crossing the arms and legs would indicate as being in a defensive position while gazing at objects in the room around indicates that the listener has lost interest in the communication and is no longer attentive.

Eye contact Maintaining eye contact is a symbol that means the speaker wants to be heard attentively. Blinking too often might send a message of feeling lost and unsure about the situation. Every region or country has its own language, verbal and nonverbal. It is the traditions and culture that differentiates the nature of nonverbal communication. In America a handshake with a female or a male, means greeting the visitor warmly, while in eastern culture if a man shakes hand with a woman that may refer to harassment.

“An American politician in his visit to a neighboring country once used gestures thinking to make a positive effect but actually emerged enraging the community (Hesselgrave & Culbertson, 1976).” In America people use gestures to convey their messages more than talking out loudly in public or when to pass on secrets. They usually make gestures with their hands and fingers or use facial expressions to communicate nonverbally. It is commonly notices in their films and other events of people using gestures when passing messages and not arousing curiosity of others around them.

Also this is considered more appropriate mode of communication between people who are present in extremely noisy places and are at a distance such as in concerts and clubs or huge gatherings where talking or shouting would seem pointless. “Sometimes young people have their own special gestures that only they and their friends understand.” (Gestures, n.d.). Some of the gestures might be used to communicate friendly messages while others may also be used