Understanding Nonverbal Language

1. Understanding Nonverbal Language Public Speaking

2. Understanding Nonverbal Language • Nonverbal language uses all the elements of communication except words. • A perception check, a verbal response stating one’s understanding of someone else’s nonverbal behavior, is sometimes necessary.

3. Analyzing Body Language • Body language is the use of facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, and movement to communicate. • Facial expressions: *many with a variety of meanings *masking-adopting facial expressions normally associated with one feeling to disguise other, true feelings—ex. Smiling to hide pain

4. Facial Expressions *many with a variety of meanings *masking-adopting facial expressions normally associated with one feeling to disguise other, true feelings—ex. Smiling to hide pain

5. Eye Contact • A speaker and listener generally look each other in the eye during much of a conversation. Eye contact is usually interpreted as a sign of honesty and straightforwardness. • Be careful not to stare directly too long because it is considered impolite.

6. Gestures • Can replace words in certain messages • Can emphasize meaning of verbal language • Can add meaning when a speaker gives descriptions

7. Posture • This is body position!! • Can convey attitude, such as confidence and poise or dejection and weariness • The way you hold your body when you walk and the way you sit on a chair tell others a great deal about you.

8. Movement • Simply the way a person moves • Can enhance the impression you want to make or the message you intend to convey

9. Evaluating the Message your Appearance Sends • 1. Appearance can be interpreted by others as a clue to your interests. • 2. Appearance can be interpreted as expressing a person’s attitude toward another person, especially when a specific kind of attire is expected. • 3. Appearance can be interpreted as a sign of a person’s self-regard.

10. Analyzing Paralanguage • Paralanguage is a type of nonverbal communication that involves using voice variation and extraneous words and sounds to communicate. • The three types of paralanguage are shown in the sound of a speaker’s voice, the speaker’s use of pauses, and the speaker’s use of extraneous words.

11. Sound of a person’s voice… • Pitch (up or down) • Volume (loud or soft) • Rate (quickly or slowly) • Quality or tone of voice (express emotion)

12. Speaker’s use of pauses… • Used to indicate uncertainty or to create suspense • Used to add emphasis

13. Speaker’s Use of Extraneous Words • “Uh” “Well uh” “Um” “You know” • These are considered to be vocalized pauses because they contribute no information to the verbal message into which they are inserted by a speaker.

14. Identifying How Environment Affects Communication • Your enviroment includes all features of the immediate surroundings. • Color • Lighting • Sound • Space

15. Color • Reds, yellows, and oranges-stimulating effect…warm, full of vitality, and exciting • Blues, greens, and beiges –cool, peaceful, or neutral • Black and brown- mysterious and sophisticated • White- innocent and childlike

16. Lighting • Low: relaxed, quiet atmosphere in which people want to linger • Bright: stimulates conversation and interaction • Extremely bright: may cause fatigue

17. Sound • Often complements lighting • Dimly lit room—soft music • Brightly lit room– expect louder music • Loud or continuous noises are almost always distracting

18. Space • Intimate spac e: up to 18 inches between you and other people • Personal space: consists of a distance ranging from 18 inches to four feet between you and other people • Social space: consists of a distance from 4 to 12 feet between you and other people • Public space: consists of the area beyond twelve feet between you and others

19. Evaluating Environment Activity • We will go to four different locations around the school. Analyze the four features of each environment by using a chart like the one below: