9007 – ENGL 203 “SPEECH CRAFT WITH PEACE EDUCATION”

“NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION,
NATURE,
AND CULTURAL
DIFFERENCES”
Reported by: Panes, Christian Jhones V.
Activity #1 – SEARCH A WORD
P O E Y E C O N T A C T G N
K U I E R Y M N B V P X E Z
A L P K A H A Q I K O S S D
T O U C H K L WU Y S F T F
P L K G G S H E Y L T D U G
S S Q D J K M R Z S U H R H
Z O P H D F B O Z T R L E J
A P P E A R A N C E E P S L
 Activity #2 – LET’S FACE IT!

#1 #2 #3

HAPPY / GLAD MAD / ANGRY SCARED / NERVOUS

What Is Nonverbal Communication?
Nonverbal communication, also called manual language, is the
process of sending and receiving messages without using words,
either spoken or written. Similar to the way that italicizing emphasizes
written language, nonverbal behavior may emphasize parts of a verbal
message.
Communication is far more than spoken words. We also use nonverbal
behaviors to deliver and interpret messages. Nonverbal
communication supplements verbal communication by providing
extra information that goes beyond what is said. It involves gestures,
greetings, body orientation, facial expressions, and other displays of
emotion. We also send messages through touch, eye contact, and the
use of personal space.
The term nonverbal communication was introduced in 1956 by
psychiatrist Jurgen Ruesch and author Weldon Kees in the book
"Nonverbal Communication: Notes on the Visual Perception of
Human Relations.“

Nonverbal messages have been recognized for centuries as a

critical aspect of communication. For instance, in "The
Advancement of Learning" (1605), Francis Bacon observed that
"the lineaments of the body do disclose the disposition and
inclination of the mind in general, but the motions of the
countenance and parts do not only so, but do further disclose the
present humor and state of the mind and will."
Types of Nonverbal Communication
"Judee Burgoon (1994) has identified seven different nonverbal
dimensions:“

1.Kinesics or body movements including facial expressions and eye

contact;
2.Vocalics or paralanguage that includes volume, rate, pitch, and
timbre;
3.Personal appearance;
4.Our physical environment and the artifacts or objects that compose it;
5.Proxemics or personal space;
6.Haptics or touch;
7.Chronemics or time.
“How Non-verbal Signals Affect Verbal Discourse”
"Psychologists Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen (1969), in discussing
the interdependence that exists between nonverbal and verbal
messages, identified six important ways that nonverbal communication
directly affects our verbal discourse.“

"First, we can use nonverbal signals to emphasize our words. All good
speakers know how to do this with forceful gestures, changes in vocal
volume or speech rate, deliberate pauses, and so forth. ...“

"Second, our nonverbal behavior can repeat what we say. We can say
yes to someone while nodding our head ... ."
"Third, nonverbal signals can substitute for words. Often,
there isn't much need to put things in words. A simple
gesture can suffice (e.g., shaking your head to say no,
using the thumbs-up sign to say 'Nice job,' etc.). ...“

"Fourth, we can use nonverbal signals to regulate

speech. Called turn-taking signals, these gestures and
vocalizations make it possible for us to alternate the
conversational roles of speaking and listening ... ."
"Fifth, nonverbal messages sometimes contradict what we say.
A friend tells us she had a great time at the beach, but we're not
sure because her voice is flat and her face lacks emotion. ...“

"Finally, we can use nonverbal signals to complement the

verbal content of our message... Being upset could mean we
feel angry, depressed, disappointed, or just a bit on edge.
Nonverbal signals can help to clarify the words we use and
reveal the true nature of our feelings." (Martin S.
Remland, Nonverbal Communication in Everyday Life, 2nd ed.
Houghton Mifflin, 2004)
“Nature / Features of Non-verbal Communication”

Non-verbal communication is a type of communication that

does not necessarily use any oral or written word. It can
communicate some human feelings more accurately than those
of other methods of communication.
 • No use of Words
- Non-verbal communication is a communication without words or language like
oral or written communication. Instead of written or oral words, it relies on various
non-verbal cues like physical movement, tasks, colors, signs, symbols, signals
charts, etc. to express human feelings, attitudes and information. It uses gestures,
facial expressions, eye contact, physical propinquity, etc. for communicating with
others.
• Different meanings
- Non-verbal symbols can have numerous meanings. A single message of non-
verbal communication may express different meaning to different persons or in
different places. The symbols and signs that we used as the medium of non-verbal
communication are not always accurate in expressing the true meaning of the
communication. Cross-culture aspects give diverse meanings to similar expression
in admiration of this communication. In many cases, they are vague and
inconsistent. So the media of non-verbal communication should be used carefully.
 • Pervasiveness
- Non-verbal communication is pervasive in nature. If we look around us, we can
see the numerous aspects of non-verbal communication. This communication is
unconscious in the sense that it is generally not intended nor rehearsed. It
comes approximately instantly. Now we need to learn how to observe and detect
them. Murphy and his associates mentioned that 60% to 70% effect of the
message comes from non-verbal cues.
• Vague and imprecise
- Non-verbal communication is fairly blurred and imprecise. Since in this
communication, there is no use of words or language which expresses clear
denotation to the receiver. Facial expressions, gestures, body engagements, the
method you use your eyes – all communicate your feelings and emotions to
others. How you stand or sit is one of the important elements in how you are
perceived by others. For example, we all know someone who “talks with his
hands.”
 • Culturally determined

Non-verbal communication is learned in the early days, passed on to you

by your parents and others with whom you associate. Through this
procedure of growing up in an exacting civilization, you espouse the taints
and mannerisms of your cultural group.

Application : Verbal communication is primarily associated with face-to-

face oral communication as we can readily observe the non-verbal
symbols there. Besides this, written communication can also be analyzed
on the basis of its non-verbal parts. For example, the format, neatness,
and language of a written message communicate a non-verbal message
to the readers.
Non-verbal Communication in Different Cultures

Non-verbal communication is different from person to

person and especially from one culture to another. Cultural
background defines their non-verbal communication as
many forms of non-verbal communications like signs and
signals are learned behavior.

As there are differences in meanings of non-verbal

communication, miscommunication can occur when inter-
cultural people communicate. People can offend others
without meaning to due to their cultural differences in non-
verbal communication. Facial expressions are mostly similar
in most cultures as many of them like smile and cry are
innate.
Some of the nonverbal communication differences in
different cultural are:

1. Eye Contact

Western cultures mostly consider eye contact to be a

good gesture. It shows attentiveness, confidence
and honesty. Other cultures such as Asian, Middle
Eastern, Hispanic and Native American do not take it
as a good expression. It is taken as a rude and
offensive expression.
2. Gestures

Gestures such as thumbs up can be interpreted differently in

different cultures. It is taken as “Okay” sign in many cultures
whereas is taken as a vulgarism in others like Latin American
cultures and in Japan some even take it as money.

Some cultures take snapping fingers to get the attention of a

waiter as alright whereas some take it as disrespect and very
offensive. Showing feet is taken as offensive in some Middle
Eastern cultures. Some cultures take pointing fingers as
insulting too. In Polynesia, people stick out their tongue to
greet people which is taken as a sign of mockery in most of
other cultures.
Some gestures are unique to a particular culture.

Gestures are grouped according to seven categories:

•Signaling arrival and departure: for example, blowing a kiss, fist to chest pounding,
shaking hands, hugging.
•Showing approval: for example, applause, nodding ‘yes’, raising the arms, giving the
‘high five’ or ‘thumbs up’.
•Showing disapproval: for example, yawning, folding arms, choking, finger-wagging,
nodding ‘no’, holding or wrinkling the nose.
•Attracting mates: for example, eyebrow-wriggling, eyelid-fluttering, staring or gazing,
winking, holding hands.
•Offensive and profane gestures: for example, chin-flicking, nose-thumbing.
•Gestures for emphasis: for example, chin-stroking, making a fist, drumming fingers,
snapping fingers, shrugging.
•Replacing words: for example, ‘Call me’, using finger and thumb to mimic the shape of a
telephone receiver, ‘Come here’, with an upturned palm and index finger crooked towards
the body.
3. Touch

Touches are taken as rudeness in most cultures. Shaking

hands is considered to be acceptable in many. Similarly,
acceptability of kissing, hugs, and many other touches are
different in different cultures. People in Asia are more
conservative in these types of non-verbal communication.

Patting head or shoulder also has different meanings in

different cultures. In some Asian cultures patting children’s
head is very bad signal as head is taken to be sacred. Middle
Eastern countries take touch between people from opposite
genders is taken as bad character.

Where and how you are touched or touch changes the

meaning of touch. So, you must be careful when you visit a
new place.
4. Appearance

Appearance is another form of non-verbal

communication. People are judged from their
appearance. Racial differences as well as differences in
clothing tell so much about any individual.

Grooming yourself to look good is taken as an important

aspect of personality in most cultures. But, what is
considered to be a good appearance is different again in
different cultures. Modesty is also measured from
appearance.
5. Body Movement and Posture

People receive information or message from body

movements. It shows how people feel or think about you. If a
person does not face you while talking to you can mean that
the person is nervous or shy. It might also mean that the
person doesn’t like to talk to you. Other body movements like
coming to sit near or far can also show confidence, power or
trying to control the environment.

Postures like sitting straight or slouched also show the mental

condition of the person. Hands in pocket also shows
disrespect in different cultures. For example, sitting with
crossed legs is considered offensive in Ghana and Turkey.
6. Facial Expressions

Face shows feelings, attitudes and emotions. The

degree of facial expressions are determined by
cultures. People from United States show emotions
more than their Asian counterparts.

Facial expressions are shown to be similar all over

the world, but people from different cultures do not
show it in public. The meanings of these are
commonly acknowledged everywhere. Too much
expression is taken to be shallow in some places
whereas in some it is taken as being weak.
7. Paralanguage

How we talk also constitutes of what we communicate.

For example, vocal tones, volume, rhythm, pitch, etc.
speak more than what words express. Asian people
control themselves from shouting as they are taught not
to from childhood.

They are known as vocal qualifiers. Vocal

characterizations like crying, whining, yelling, etc. change
the meaning of the message. Giggling is taken as a bad
gesture in some cultures. Many other emotions are shown
by vocal differences while all of them are included in
paralanguage.
8. Physical Space (Proxemics)

People from different cultures have different tolerance for

physical distance between people. In Middle Eastern
culture people like to go near to others to talk while in
others people might get afraid if anybody does so.

Even Europeans and Americans do not have that much

acceptance on the breach of physical distance and less
acceptance for it among Asians. People have specific
personal space which they do not want intruded. In some
cultures, even close physical contact between strangers is
acceptable.
9. Chronemics or Time

Monochronic cultures view time as linear. In these cultures—the

United States is one example—time is scheduled and segmented
according to the clock. People allocate a specific amount of time
to complete a single task; for example, scheduling a meeting in
which attention is focused on the topic in question for the entire
time. In monochronic cultures, time is money. Efficiency and
punctuality are highly valued. Tardiness is perceived as laziness
and unreliability.

For example: In China, to start a wedding banquet late, even by

as much as two hours, is a sign of respect to the guests who
have taken the trouble to attend. On the other hand, at non-social
events, such as business meetings, the Chinese place a high
value on punctuality. Within any particular culture, the use of time
tends to vary according to circumstances.
 “Few realize how loud their
expressions really are. Be kind
with what you wordlessly say.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich
 That’s All
For this Afternoon!

Thank you for

Listening and Cooperating 

God bless you and

Stay safe & Healthy ^_^