Nonverbal/ Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal/ Verbal Communication

Introduction

Communication is the process of transmission and reception of ideas, information and messages. Communication is not limited to writing or speaking. It is pertinent to consider the cultural aspects of the peoples and societies, the personal characteristics of individuals, to where they live and their ethnic nature, hence, the social stratification. Individuals communicate with their attitudes, body movements, movements of their hands or eyes, the look on his face. This leads us to conclude that, although the communication takes many forms, the most important are verbal and nonverbal communication.

Discussion

Verbal Section

Verbal communication can be done in two ways. These ways are oral i.e. through oral signs and words spoken or written and by means of graphic representation of signs. There are many forms of oral communication, these include, shouts, whistles, cries and laughter and can express different state of mind. They are one of the primary forms of communication. The most advanced oral communication is the spoken language, structured sounds that lead to syllables, words and sentences with which we communicate with others (Barnlund, 2008, pp. 47).

To communicate we use of signs, signals and symbols that serve different purposes. Through these sign and signals we interpret the meaning.

Communication is pre-eminently symbolic. The two classes of signals send by the people. These are through signs and symbols. Sign is the bases of all communication. A sign indicates something other than itself, and meaning is the link between an object or idea and a sign. These primary ideas link together an astoundingly wide set of theories administering with symbols, language, discourse, and nonverbal forms, ideas that elucidate how signs are affiliated to their meanings and how signs are disposed. The study of signs is commonly referred to as semiotics (Plax, Kearney, et al., 1986, pp. 43).

Symbols and Meaning

A sign, by definition, is a two-sided entity, composed of meaning and significance. In other words, the meaning of the sign is expressed; the signifier is the physical medium which expresses it. Take an example of a traffic signal, the denial of access. The meaning is: “you cannot go to this” the signifier is a red circle with a white horizontal band separating the red disc in half. These two are sign. But in this case, besides being a sign, it is a symbol, according to the taxonomy proposed by Pierce.

Abilities of Symbols

The scholar has divided the signs into icons, symbols and indices. We have an icon when the sign is similar to the concept represented (e.g. the icon of the Madonna and Child. It is a stylized image of a woman holding a child, presumably his son. There is no convention applied. The signifier actually resembles a woman holding an infant in her arms).

We used symbol when meaning is the result of an agreement but does not resemble the concept expressed in reality. E.g. the halo on his head placed in the paintings of the Madonna or the saints. No saint has indeed had a gold record on his head which is ...