Forms of Communication

A detailed explanation of:
verbal communication, its elements and functions
non-verbal communication, its elements and functions.

1. Verbal & Non-VerbalVerbal & Non-Verbal
Presenter: Mrs. Schaaffe-McFarlanePresenter: Mrs. Schaaffe-McFarlane

3. 
Verbal Communication
Section 1

4. 
This involves the use of speech and writing to
communicate. (Lord Et. Al., 2012)
Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds
and language to relay a message. It serves as a
vehicle for expressing desires, ideas and concepts
and is vital to the processes of learning and teaching.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/150573
Verbal Communication

5. 
Verbal Communication
Oral/Spoken
•Oral communication consists
of all spoken exchanges. In
oral communication, verbal
feedback typically follows
the initial message whether
in the form of a question or
comment.
•Casual conversations among
friends as well as political
debates fall into this
category.

6. 
Verbal Communication
Written
Another form of verbal
communication which requires
no speech. Written
communication, while
technically nonverbal,
commonly falls under the
umbrella of verbal
communication for the use of
words (language) to convey
ideas.
Books, letters, email, texts,
memos, magazines,
newspapers and personal
journals are all examples of
verbal communication.

8. 
Verbal Communication
Formal
•Meeting strangers
•Within a business or legal
setting.
•Official corporate
communications such as
•meetings
• speeches
•conferences
•letters and
•Memorandums

9. 
Verbal CommunicationInformal
Informal
Casual spoken and
written exchanges.
Informal conversations
between
friends,
 co-workers and even
strangers.
It requires a common
bond; therefore, it takes
place most frequently
between close friends and
family members.

10. 
Language is symbolic – By themselves, language elements
usually have no meaning: the symbols are
arbitrary(randomly selected).
Meanings are in people not in words.
Language is governed by rules
Phonological rules –govern how sounds are combined to
form words
Semantic rules – define the meaning of specific words
Syntactic rules – govern the structure of the language, the
way symbols can be arranged
Pragmatic rules – govern the appropriateness of words in
given contexts
Characteristics of Verbal
Communication

11. 
Verbal communication satisfies basic functions such as:
 describing ideas
Making requests
solving problems
Functions of Verbal
Communication

12. 
Verbal Communication shapes attitudes: attitudes
towards others and ourselves.
It is manifested through naming
It influences our credibility
It influences our status
It informs issues of racism and sexism
Functions of Verbal
Communication

13. 
Verbal Communication reflects our attitudes:
Power (feelings of control)
Affiliation (establishing relationships)
Attraction
Responsibility
Functions of Verbal
Communication

14. 
Verbal includes both spoken and written
communication:
Equivocal language – language that allows for the
possibility of several different meanings.
Relative terms – words that do not have one
exact/specific definition. They gain meaning by
comparison and can change depending on context.
Slang – non standard words and phrases in a given
language.
Types of Verbal
Communication

15. 
Jargon – language used by personnel in a particular
field.
Argot – secret language used by various groups e.g.
Schoolmates, prisoners
Overly abstract language – Abstract language is used
to discuss ideas. Overly abstract language leaves too
much room for interpretation and hides details from
others.
Types of Verbal
Communication

16. 
Emotive language – the deliberate choice of words to
elicit emotion in others.
e.g. The men were killed.
The innocent man was executed in cold blood in
front of his two year old son.
Evasive language – language that is used to avoid a
situation.
Types of Verbal
Communication

17. 
Non-verbal
Communication
Section 2

19. 
Non-verbal communication refers to a wide array of
behaviours by which we communicate messages
without the use of the voice (McDermott, 2008).
Non-verbal communication is when information is
transferred from sender to receiver without the use
of words (Lord Et. Al., 2012).
Non-verbal
Communication

20. 
According to McDermott, 2008 such behaviours are
also termed communicative behaviours since they
consistently and inevitably convey meaning.
It can be conscious and deliberate or unconscious
and accidental.
Non-verbal
Communication

21. 
It exists
It has communicative value
It is primarily relational
It is ambiguous
It is culture –bound
The Characteristics of Non-
verbal Communication

22. 
The most obvious non-verbal behaviours are seen in
our:
Vocalics/paralanguage
Proxemics
Chronemics
Artefacts
Movement
Use of our five senses
Non - Verbal
Communication

23. Vocalics/
paralanguage

24. 
Non-verbal
Communication
Vocalics/
Paralanguage
Refers to the use of:
 volume
 tone
pitch
rate of speaking
to give additional
meaning or emphasis
to what is spoken.

25. 
Activity
Say “come here” using a variety of tone, volume and
pitch to highlight different meanings.
Non-verbal
Communication

26. Proxemics

27. 
Non-verbal
Communication 3le1:rnVo
Proxemics
Refers to the use of
space to convey an idea
or image.
Our use of space or
proximity is a
significant indicator of
how close or intimate
we feel toward others.

29. 
Everyone observes the space around them, this is
called personal space.
The concept of personal space is determined by
cultures.
Eastern cultures: a kiss on the cheek is a common form
of greeting
Western cultures: a handshake is the common form of
greeting.
Proxemics

30. Chronemics

31. 
Non-verbal
Communicationcl:rethf-V
Chronemics
This is the use of and
attitude to time which
discloses information
about:
our status
 relationship with
others
our self-concept

33. 
Being late for appointments duties and
responsibilities is almost always read as a sign of
disrespect or
lack of commitment.
Chronemics

35. 
To be punctual suggests that one is:
 focused on and committed to the task at hand,
or that one respects those with whom one is meeting.
Chronemics

36. Artifacts

37. 
Non-verbal
Communication
Artifacts
The things we own,
use, wear and even
discard all convey
messages about us:
Our preferences
Tastes
Resources
Or lack of resources

42. Movement

43. 
Non-verbal
Communication
Movement
Posture
Gestures
Facial expressions and
Body language
are perhaps the most
obvious in
communicating
messages about our
attitudes and feelings.

47. 
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication
Section 3

49. 
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication
Substituting
A word is replaced or
substituted by an action
or movements may be
used to build sentences
and communicate
sophisticated concepts.
 E.g. Traffic officers,
Traffic signs

50. C
o
m
e

h
e
re
…

51. Eate.:fstemM
Reinforcing
The use of non-verbal
communication to
complement or add to
our verbal sounds.
E.g. pointing and
nodding head while
speaking
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication

53. 
Regulating
The use of non-verbal
signs to show interest
or regulate the flow of
interaction.
E.g. hand signal of
drivers, raising of the
hand to show that you
want to say something,
traffic cop
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication

55. V:enfF1tsnt:e
Contradiction
To change or contradict
your verbal message
you can display an
opposite non-verbal
behaviour.
E.g. Sarcasm, facial
expression – bored but
you nod and keep eye
contact.
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication

57. M
0FeFmtem
M )bTfa t:e

Managing
Impressions
The creation and
control of the way
others perceive you by
the way in which you
dress, speak, walk.
The use of a car, dog,
house, and jewelry to
create an impression
about yourself.
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication

59. w nF-lt ptem
EalFnt:e ptT
Establishing
Relationship
Non-verbal messages
are used to establish or
reveal a relationship.
If, when, how and
where you touch
someone will
communicate
information about the
relationship you have.
Functions of Non-verbal
Communication

60. 
McDermott, H. (2008) CAPE Communication
Studies. Pg. 158 – 163
Lord, L. et. al. (2012) CAPE Communication Studies.
Pg. 130, 139-140.
Further Readings