Language is commonly believed to be a
system of communication that consists of sounds and written symbols. The word "communication" means a
special form of people's interactions in the process of learning or doing
something together. The main aim of communication is exchange of all kinds of
information. Means of information transfer from one person to another are
divided into verbal and non-verbal. Verbal communication – is information
transfer by means of words, non-verbal – is information transfer by means of
different non-verbal symbols and signs (for example, drawings, e-smiles,
gestures, etc).We can communicate by using our facial expressions, our tone of
voice and even our whole body. Actually, in many situations, non-verbal
communication can reveal more accurately what a person is feeling. Body
language always speaks the truth, whereas words may often be misleading.
There are different types of verbal
communication: 1) according to existing means and tools of communication used:
a) direct or immediate communication and b) indirect communication
(video-lecture, broadcasting, uploading material on the Web-site, etc); 2)
according to the number of participants: a) a monologue (speech of one person),
b) a dialogue (speech of two people), c) a polilog (speech of several people);
3) according to communication objective: a) informing, b) persuading (including
inducement, explanation, etc), c) entertaining; 4) according to the character
of the situation: a) formal (business) communication; b) informal personal
communication.
It's important that for every type of
communication there exist special linguistic means (words, grammar structure
etc), behaviour politics and skills that should be used to gain a success in
the communication process.
For successful communication both at the
office and at home, an understanding of body language is also very important. At
work non-verbal communication is related to power. For example, people in
charge tend to lean back in their chairs, fold their hands behind their heads
and put their feet up on the desk or table. They often dominate conversations,
both talking and interrupting more than others. Those who follow orders, on the
other hand, are much less relaxed and tend to sit on the edge of their chairs
with their arms tightly folded.
Body language plays an equally important
role at home. The interesting thing is that children are particularly quick to
pick up on non-verbal signals and can distinguish between what is said and what
is really meant.
Every
culture uses body language in unique but clearly interpretable ways. It is
known though that some gestures are universal. Facial gestures to show certain
emotions seem to be the same for people of all cultures. For example, the
facial gesture to show happiness is smiling, the facial gesture to show sadness
is frowning. Making eyes open wide means surprise, a clenched jaw shows anger,
and the facial gesture to show disgust is raising the cheek muscles. When we
tell a lie, our bodies often give the trick away when we blush or avoid
eye-contact, swallow or cover our mouth with our hand.
However, other gestures have different
meanings in different cultures. Shaking one's head, for instance, or sticking
out the tongue have various meanings. In the United
States and Canada, it is common to make a
circle with the thumb and first finger. It means "OK". In Japan, the same
sign means "money". In Southern France,
it stands for "zero" or "worthless". But be careful to use
this gesture in Brazil or Greece, it is
offensive. Intercultural interference of body language can lead to
misunderstanding.
In order to communicate everyone should
know about verbal and non-verbal means of communication.
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