Similarities and Differences between Verbal and Nonverbal Behavior and that of Arab - Coursework Example

Similarities and differences between verbal and nonverbal behavior and that of Arab Communication as a concept has been described differently regarding various subjects or disciplines. However, a common note around the various definition is the availability of information from a source (person) through some medium and finally to the recipient (person). The process of communication would not be complete without some sort of response from the recipient and thus the need for as feedback. Therefore, communication would be best described to be the process through which information passes from one person to another through a specific media. It involves the basic components, which are the information, sender, receiver, as well as the media through which it takes place. Its effectiveness is realized only when the recipient understands the intended meaning and reciprocates through feedback. Three steps are involved in the process, which are conception of the idea, the feeling or information, by the person intending to communicate, relaying of the information is passed through words or symbols (verbal and or non verbal). Finally, the recipient decodes or translates the symbols or words into understandable pieces, which can be responded to and therefore responds through what is the feedback to complete the cycle. It is however worth noting that different societies and cultures have well developed verbal as well as non-verbal mechanisms of communication, which in most instances are distinct from those that are in use within another society and or culture (Jones and LeBaron, 499-516; Farb, 286). This therefore forms the reason of this paper in trying to compare the use of verbal and non-verbal languages by different cultures with a special attention to Americans and Arabs. The theme of the paper is the evaluation and analysis of the similarities and differences that are observable between verbal as well as non-verbal behavior within the Americans and Indians. The Indian culture is known to have high regard of non-verbal language in communication as against the use of verbal language (Feghali, 345-347). They are therefore fond of using the non-verbal language as they believe that actions ‘speak louder’ than words in verbal communication (Raudsepp, 85). For instance, in greetings, the Indian people use the word ‘Namaste’ and put hands in front of chests with a slight bow of head. This is therefore known as the formal greeting recognized by the customs of Indian people with the word Namaste implying ‘my salutation’ or ‘to you I bow’. However, a distinction is made in greetings between genders where while men shake hands among themselves, women are not allowed to have handshakes with men. In American culture however, handshakes (not withstanding gender) are highly esteemed and hence the difference between the two cultures. Concerning respect for religion and holy places, the Indians must remove any form of footwear as one enters a sacred place. This is not however the case with most if not all American cultures majority of who are Christians and they don’t remove shoes while entering into the church. In communication, different gestures signify different meaning among the Arabs where grasping earlobes signify remorse while tapping another person’s shoulders and tapping on forehead expresses apologizing. Another most distinct form of non-verbal language much practiced in the Indian cultures is the head wobble which ends up being confusing as it has various meanings depending on the context (Miyaku, para 1-6; Kanso, Abdul and Adams, 65-70). Regarding clothing, Indians esteem clothes highly as one would be understood from what region and culture he/she comes from by clothing. Besides, gender differences are notable from the clothing worn among the Indian communities. It is to be noted that this forms a difference and a similarity with the Americans where gender differences would be pointed out in the clothing worn. For instance, the wearing of dresses is wholly feminine in America though changing times have brought about sharing of trouser between men and women in America in the current society. The communication through touch is equally very distinct within Indian cultures and in often times, a touch signifies a kind of bond especially family bonds (Avecilla and Vergara, 344-350). Nevertheless, many religious practices abhor touch and hence become basic component of nonverbal communication within the cultures. Verbal communication within India is equally well developed with at least 18 dialects being recognized within the supreme constitution of the country. Among other defining features within most of the languages is that asking questions directly is considered inappropriate and as such, no direct answer should be expected. Being the initiator of a dialogue and dominating the dialogues is interpreted as being disrespectful in the Indian cultures. Dialogue is therefore expected to have periodic pauses which gives time for disapproval whereas silence is esteemed within the cultures. This implies that sitting down speechlessly with a person is not offensive but rather understood as just enjoying the company other people. In American cultures, long pauses coupled with prolonged gazes to a person are used purposely to indicate a turn for one to communicate while in a dialogue or discussion while this may not be the case with other cultures. For instance, the Arabic culture may interprete the long gaze, pauses as confrontational, and hence triggers a different meaning even in verbal communication (Carteret, para 1-5). In US, just as is the case with India, verbal and non verbal communication is used with verbal communication taking distinct and well organized system of words as against sounds as made by lower level of species/organisms (Lucas, para 1-3). Clear arrangement of words shared between persons signifies the process of communication as is used in America and in Arabian cultures. Nevertheless, the choice and use of words between the two cultures is different as cultures are variant. English is the main language in use within America for communication while the Arabs have Arabic as the main language of communication. Non-verbal language in America is much pronounced where majority of the Americans freely express themselves through gestures as against most cultures in the Asian region. In the US, there is an observable phenomenon in use of an index finger while showing direction while in India, it is perceived as bad to use a finger while pointing; a whole hand is used instead. Moreover, showing a person a closed fist in America means approval while in India and many Asian countries, this is interpreted to mean an insult. In another aspect, the American culture acknowledges same sex romance and therefore, getting two men walking in romantic embrace is ok but this is an insult within the Indian culture (Leba, para 2-5). On some similarities, eye contacts between people while conversing may have different meanings within cultures but some cultures in the US and Indians share prolonged eye contacts especially between grownups and children as signs of no respect. For instance, the Americans use direct eye contact while conversing to build about non-informality, equality as well as spontaneity within a conversation though this is not exactly the case with many or Arab cultures. Besides, in some instances, avoiding eye contacts by Arab cultures may be interpreted positively as to signify respect especially between married people and grownups and children. However, the interpretation may differ within American cultures where such avoidance of prolonged and direct eye contacts may signify lack of interest as well as deceit (Carteret, para 1-5). In conclusion, therefore, the process of communication is seen to be very elaborate and deliberate between persons. However, cultural differences often point to the main differences notable in the choice and use of words and non-verbal tools of communication especially between different cultures. This paper has evaluated the main differences and similarities that verbal and non-verbal languages in communication within the Arabic and American cultures exhibit. Works cited Avecilla, Roy Ramos, and Maria Belen Vergara. "Nonverbal Immediacy and Teaching Effectiveness of Asian and American Lecturers." Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge 19.2 (2014): 344-50. Carteret Marcia, “Non-verbal Behavior in Cross-Cultural Interactions” Dimensions of culture. 2011. Web. 26 February, 2014. < http://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/11/non-verbal-behavior-in-cross-cultural-interactions/” Farb Peter, “Chapter 8: The non verbal code” 2005. . Print. 26 February, 2014. Feghali Ellen, “Arab cultural communication patterns.” Intr. J. Ink-cultural Rel. 1997. Print. 21(3): 345-378. Jones Stanely E. and LeBaron Curtis D., “Research on the Relationship Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication: Emerging Integrations” Verbal and Nonverbal Communication. 2002. Print. 26 February, 2014. 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