Page 25 - AI Ver 1.0 Class 9
P. 25
Types of Non-Verbal Communication
There are different types of non-verbal communication which are:
• Hand movement/body language: One can express an idea or a meaning through waving hands during a
speech, raising a hand to ask a question or to interrupt for a chance, raising a closed fist upwards showing a sign
of victory, showing two fingers in a fight to show surrender, shaking hands to greet a person, banging a table
or clapping both hands to applaud etc.
• Facial expressions: Facial expressions reflect a feeling of a person who is trying to communicate to give a
proper meaning to a message. For example we smile to show our warmth and happiness, frown our brows to
show anger, blush to shy and give a sad look when upset. There are a lot of facial expressions to show different
moods of a person at the time of communication.
• Eye contact: In a conversation, our eyes serve the purpose to interpret people’s movements, gestures and eye
contact. A speaker can use his or her eye contact to determine if an audience is engaged, confused or bored and
then adapt his or her message accordingly.
• Touch: The power of touch plays an important role in communicating different meanings in a conversation.
Touch can be welcoming, threatening, or persuasive depending on the situation. A hug shows love and happiness
or brings comfort to a friend at the time of sorrow. Pat on the back shows encouragement or appreciation to a
subordinate or a child. Holding tightly or pushing away a person shows threat.
• Body Posture: Body posture is an orientation and positioning of our body to send various meanings. Bowing
a little to greet a person, sitting on knees to pray, standing straight to show confidence, lowering head to feel
ashamed.
Advantages of non-verbal communication are:
• It is used to complement verbal messages.
• They offer immense help to those who are physically challenged.
Disadvantages of non-verbal Communication are:
• It is often difficult to analyse a non-verbal message.
• It is difficult to have a long conversation and important explanations are often lost in non-verbal messages.
Task
1. What is "written communication"?
2. Write the differences between verbal and non-verbal communication.
3. Write about the advantages of oral communication.
4. What do you mean by perspectives in communication?
Communication Skills-I 23

