Frontiers of Language and Teaching …...……………………….

Volume 5 (2014)

First Impressions: A Study of Non–Verbal Communication

M. Latha
Associate Professor, Department of English, KL University, Vadesswaram, Guntur, AP, India
*
Corresponding Author’s Email: [email protected]

Abstract
Non-verbal communication is the study of communication without words. Our actions are the
means of communication, subject to interpretation by others. Even the failure to act is a way
of communicating. Today when we interact with others, we continuously give and receive
wordless signals. All of our nonverbal behaviors—the gestures we make, the way we sit, how
fast or how loud we talk, how close we stand, how much eye contact we make—send strong
messages. These messages don't stop when you stop speaking either. Even when you're silent,
you're still communicating nonverbally. Facial expressions, body movements, eye contact,
vocal qualities all help us to communicate without words. These silent messages
communicate our feelings during any form of interpersonal communication that we have with
our friends, teachers, seniors, subordinates or colleagues. The present paper deals with what
is non-verbal communication, its various forms and types, how to interpret them, and also
some tips of how to enhance these non-verbal communication.

Keywords: Non-verbal communication, Interpretation, Facial expressions, Gestures,

Feelings

Introduction

“Actions speak louder than words.”

Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another person. We spend
most of our time in communicating with others that is nearly 75%.But we forget that we are
mostly observed by our non-verbal communications (body movement, eye contact, facial
expression, gusters, postures)
The term nonverbal communication was introduced in the twentieth century by psychiatrist
Jurgen Ruesch and author Weldon Kees in the book Nonverbal Communication: Notes on the
Visual Perception of Human Relations, 1956.

Definitions of Non-Verbal Communication

 It refers to the transfer of meaning by body language, space, time and paralanguage.
 It is the transmission of message by some medium other than speech or writing.
 A medium for communication that entails using cues via body language to convey
message content. Facial expressions, body gestures, and voice intonation are forms of
nonverbal communication.

Essential of non-verbal communication skills

1. Non-verbal communication is less structured than verbal communication
2. .Non-verbal communication is unplanned.
3. .Non-verbal communication is intent and spontaneous.
4. .Non-verbal communication blends with speech.

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Personal Appearance
Personal appearance is an often disregarded part of communication and presentation skills. It
is stated that the physical appearance aspect of nonverbal communication associates specific
personality with various body types, dress, hairstyle, height, skin, etc
When you are speaking in public you may be representing your organization or just yourself,
but it is still you in the front line. It is you that the other person, group or audience sees and
before you have time to open your mouth and give an account of yourself, certain
assumptions, both consciously and subconsciously, have been made.
Your personal appearance is important because it’ll make an impression on your audience
before you even begin your presentation. You always should look neat and wear whatever
clothing is appropriate for the occasion. If it is relaxed, then wear more casual clothing, but if
the occasion is formal, you should be dressed formally.
The way you dress also affects how closely your audience listens to your message. If
something about your appearance is out of place, the audience might focus on that item
instead of listening, or they might even doubt your credibility based on your appearance.

Body Posture
Body posture is the bearing or the position of the speaker’s body. It is a more or less stable
state and thus not to be confused with body gestures which are movements. The term posture
refers to how we hold our bodies as well as overall physical form of an individual. Posture
can convey a wealth of information about how a person is feeling as well as hints about
personality characteristics, such as whether a person is confident, open, or submissive. Body
posture can be characteristic and assumed for a special purpose or it can correspond to the
normal expectations in the context of a particular situation. Obviously one can be lying down,
seating, or standing. Normally, these are not the elements of posture that convey messages.
However, when the speaker is slouched or erect, his or her legs crossed or arms folded, such
postures convey a degree of formality or relaxation. Once more, they can also transfer
symbolic messages on the orator’s attitude or intention with regard to the message.

Body Gestures
A body gesture is a movement made with a limb, especially the hands, to express, confirm,
emphasize or back up the speaker’s attitude or intention. Gestures can be some of the most
direct and obvious body language signals. Waving, pointing, and using the fingers to indicate
numerical amounts are all very common and easy to understand gestures. This non-verbal
activity is regularly used in oral discourse. If a body act requires no verbal accompaniment, it
is called an “emblem”. Examples are: hand signals such as waving good-bye, the “V” for
victory sign or the “high five” signaling victory. While some emblems, for example a
clenched fist, have universal meaning, there are others that are idiosyncratic or culturally
conditioned. The use of the zero shape made by the fingers, for instance, does not mean the
same thing in different cultures. Standing for “OK” in the UK, it may be a vulgar expression
in South American cultures, sometimes embarrassingly so… Body gestures are always
perceived and interpreted together with facial expressions.

Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are an important channel of nonverbal communication Facial expressions
is dynamic features which communicate the speaker’s attitude, emotions, intentions, and so
on. The face is the primary source of emotions. Facial expressions are responsible for a huge
proportion of nonverbal communication. Consider how much information can be conveyed
with a smile or a frown. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically
between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger and fear are similar

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throughout the world. During oral communication, facial expressions change continually and
are constantly monitored and interpreted by the receiver. Examples are: a smile, frown, raised
eyebrow, yawn or sneer.

Eye Movement
Eye movement is a key part of facial behavior because the eyes are invariably involved in
facial displays. The different forms are observed to be cross-cultural. The eyes are frequently
referred to as the "windows to the soul" since they are capable of revealing a great deal about
what a person if feeling or thinking. As you engage in conversation with another person,
taking note of eye movements is a natural and important part of the communication process
The frequency of eye contact may suggest either interest or boredom or may even betray
dishonesty. The direct stare of the speaker can show candor or openness. Downward glances
are generally associated with modesty; eyes rolled upwards are conveyed as a sign of fatigue.
Researchers have discovered that certain facial areas reveal our emotional state better than
others. For example the eyes tend to show happiness, sadness or even surprise. The lower
face can also express happiness or surprise; a smile, for instance, can communicate
friendliness or cooperation. As for the lower face, brows and forehead are known to reveal
mostly anger.

Tips for Effective Use of Non-Verbal Communication

There are several ways to improve our non-verbal communication.
1. We need to observe what people are trying to tell and if we have any doubt on the means
of communication we can stop and ask the other person what is his non-verbal behavior
means.
2. We need to maintain proper eye contact when we speak to others as it is the proper way to
express our feeling and emotions.
3. We need to use appropriate posture that suits the situation. Our posture can evoke
sympathy and seriousness on the topic we are speaking about.
4. When we are communicating with others, always we need to consider the situation and the
context in which the communication occurs. Some situations require more formal behaviors
that might be interpreted very differently in any other setting.
5. We should not emphasize on a single gesture as we might come to an inaccurate
conclusion about what a person is trying to communicate.

Conclusion
Hence non-verbal communication plays a very important role in oral communication. It is
powerful and indispensable in communication. All the judgments we make about the people
happy or unhappy, nice or foolish, friendly or hostile, frank or secretive, social or shy
dynamic or dull are generally based on the cues we have received from their non-verbal
communication. Hence we need to have proper body language in giving oral communication.

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To cite this article:

Latha, M. (2014). First Impressions: A Study of Non–Verbal Communication.
Frontiers of Language and Teaching, 5(1), 160-163.

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