Can non verbal communication replace verbal communication?
Have you ever been in class and found it hard to listen, not because the professor was not well informed or the topic was not important to you, but because the style of presentation didn’t engage you? You want to avoid making the same mistakes when you give a presentation. It is not always what you say, but how you say it that makes a difference. We sometimes call this nonverbal communication, and it is a key aspect of effective technical and professional communication. Show Nonverbal communication is the process of conveying a message without the use of words. It can include gestures and facial expressions, tone of voice, timing, posture, and where you stand as you communicate. As with spoken words, nonverbal communication can vary widely across different cultures. Eye contact, for example, shows authority and trust in certain European and North American cultures, whereas the same form in many Middle Eastern cultures comes across as rude. Cultures will also often dictate the tone of voice, which emotions are displayed, and the interactions between older and younger members of that group. Moreover, nonverbal communication is often learned through inference and individual trial and error rather than being something that is explicitly taught. Autistic and neurodivergent individuals may also find picking up on and using nonverbal cues difficult if not impossible; other disabilities can impact facial and body movements as well as the tone and volume of your voice. If you fall into any of these categories, you are in great company. Do not engage in practices that make you feel uncomfortable or that you cannot physically or mentally perform. For instance, instead of making eye contact with individual audience members, gaze at places in the back of the room, your presentation slides (if you have them), or a prop or speaking aid that you are holding. When reviewing the following nonverbal strategies, remember that you may need to modify the advice to better suit your situation, strengths, audience, and message. Nonverbal Communication is Fluid Nonverbal Communication is Fast Nonverbal Communication Can Add to or Replace Verbal Communication Table 14.2. Some nonverbal expressions.TermDefinitionAdaptorsHelp us feel comfortable or indicate emotions or moodsAffect DisplaysExpress emotions or feelingsComplementingReinforcing verbal communicationContradictingContradicting verbal communicationEmblemsNonverbal gestures that carry a specific meaning and can replace or reinforce wordsIllustratorsReinforce a verbal messageMaskingSubstituting more appropriate displays for less appropriate displaysObject-AdaptorsUsing an object for a purpose other than its intended designRegulatorsControl, encourage or discourage interactionRepeatingRepeating verbal communicationReplacingReplacing verbal communicationSelf-AdaptorsAdapting something about yourself in a way for which it was not designed or for no apparent purposeNonverbal Communication Is Confusing and Contextual Nonverbal Communication Can Be Intentional or Unintentional Nonverbal Messages Communicate Feelings and Attitudes People Believe Nonverbal Communication More than Verbal (For Good Reason)
If you notice one or more of these behaviors, you may want to take a closer look. Note that this experiment also focuses on a specific population and culture. It also was conducted during a time where neurodivergence was substantially paid less attention to meaning that these noverbal cues should not always be read as deceptive. With that said, it is worthwhile to be aware how you are appearing to your audience. Nonverbal Communication Is Key in the Speaker/Audience Relationship As a speaker, your nonverbal communication is part of the message and can contribute to, or detract from, your overall goals. By being conscious of them, and practicing with a live audience, you can learn to be more self-aware and in control. When you give an oral report, focus on common critical areas such as these: Audience awareness. To reiterate, different audiences have different expectations for presentations. Often, these expectations are understood as opposed to explicitly taught. Even if you are a member of the culture you are presenting to, conduct preliminary research on what your audience expects a typical presentation to look and sound like. Timing. Make sure you keep within the expected time limit. Anything substantially under-time is also a problem. Volume. Speak loud enough so that all of your audience can hear you. If you can, try practicing in the same (or similar) space your talk will be with a friend listening from different parts of the room. If a microphone is available, use it even if you don’t feel you need the additional volume. Pacing and speed. Sometimes, nervous oral presenters talk too quickly. That makes it hard for the audience to follow. In general, listeners understand you better if you speak more slowly and deliberately than you do in normal conversation. Slow down and pause between phrases. Gestures. Some speakers “speak with their hands” and make exaggerated gestures. This too can be distracting—and a bit comical. At the same time, not moving at all can make an otherwise interesting talk boring. Practice your gestures so that they are deliberate and appropriate to what you are saying. When not gesturing, identify a “resting” stance or object to hold such as a podium, notecard, or other prop. Posture. Certain stances convey authority. In American culture, stand or sit with a straight back, with shoulders rolled back if you are physically able. If you are standing, try to stand with your feet apart and in line with your shoulders. While an occasional lean in to the audience may be effective, avoid slouching at the podium or leaning against the wall. Filler words. When we speak naturally, we often use filler phrases such as “um” and “you know.” These normal utterances are ways for us to find the right word or to check for understanding. In a speech, you will want to limit these filler words. Prior to your oral presentation, practice cutting your common filler words. The silence that replaces them is not a bad thing—it gives listeners time to process what you are saying. This text was derived from McMurrey, David. Online Technical Writing. n.d. https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. University of Minnesota. Business Communication for Success. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, 2015. https://open.lib.umn.edu/businesscommunication/. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Communication that uses gestures rather than words to convey meaning. It can include gestures and facial expressions, tone of voice, timing, posture, and where you stand as you communicate. How non verbal communication can reinforce or substitute for a verbal message?A nonverbal message reinforces or accentuates the verbal message when it adds to its meaning. In the same way that underlining or italicising written words emphasises them, saying “Come here now” conveys a more urgent message than “Come here now”.
Is non verbal communication better than verbal?Nonverbal messages can be more powerful than verbal communication, as human bodies can subconsciously deliver messages that they are verbally not conveying—“actions speak louder than words.”
How does nonverbal communication work with verbal communication?Nonverbal signals are used to alter the interpretation of verbal messages. Touch, voice pitch, and gestures are some of the tools people use to accent or amplify the message that is sent; nonverbal behavior can also be used to moderate or tone down aspects of verbal messages as well.
Is non verbal as important as verbal?Nonverbal communication is far more important than verbal communication in a conversation or setting. Nonverbal communication makes up 80-90 percent of all communication. Nonverbal communication provides the contextual cues that are essential to understanding the intention of the communicator.
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