- Published: September 10, 2022
- Updated: September 10, 2022
- University / College: Northwestern University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 15
There are different types of nonverbal communication techniques and processes used in daily communication. These include and not limited to the following; first, there is the facial expressions that form the highest proportion of nonverbal communication. Secondly is the use of gestures; involving the use of signs without words. Thirdly are the posture and the movement of the body. Fourth include the appearance, such as the color of clothes, hairstyles, etc. and lastly the use of haptic i. e. touching.
Cultural differences in nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication differs significantly from one culture to another. These differences are entrenched in the basic usages and interpretation of the nonverbal communication means. For example, in America, using fingers to beckon some is common while the same is used to beckon dogs in other cultures, hence unacceptable. Patting someone or a child on the head is taken as a friendly gesture in many cultures but doing so using the left hand in some cultures as in Middle East is interpreted as been rude. Eye contact in the mainstream western culture is a gesture of honesty and confidence while in the Asian and Hispanics culture is interpreted as been rude.
I passed an object to a Muslim classmate using my left arm. He interpreted it as been rude. Since we did not share the cultural background, I explained to him that I did not know that it was rude to do so. He understood my situation, and we solved the case.
Verbal communication
Verbal communication refers to the use of words, sound, or simply speaking to convey messages. It involves mainly speaking orally. It happens when the two people share the language used in the communication. In the case there is language barrier, verbal communication is difficult. It requires an interpreter.
Semantics
Semantics is the interpretation of the relations between words, signs, symbols, and phrases used in a language. It seeks to understand the human expression through language. It is described as the branch of linguistics that deals with logic and the meaning of words and symbols used. In this case, they occur in several branches. They include formal semantics, lexical semantics and conceptual semantics.
