Non-Verbal Communication Essay

When studying the processes and means of communication in humans, there have been two types of means of communication that has been found to operate in humans, namely verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Under non-verbal communication, the main methods that have been used as means of communicating non-verbally are the sign language, body language (which includes posture, hand gestures, facial expressions, etc;), para-language, proxemics and tone of voice. Under verbal communication the main areas of concern are speech comprehension and production of speech.

Non-Verbal Communication.

Non verbal communication is being categorized in to sign language, body language, para-language, proxemics and tone of voice.

Sign language users are often categorized as bilingual. “One language is sign

According to a study done by Strokoe et al. (1976) it was found that there are 19 different ways of configuration of hands into meaningful shapes. For example, palm opened, closed fist with index finger pointing, etc;

Place of articulation is a parameter which solely depends on where the sign is made, particularly if it is in the upper brow, the cheek, the upper arm, etc; This consists of twelve values according to Strokoe.

Movement is the parameter which refers to the type of movement done, whether it is a downward or upward movement, sideways, towards or away from the person making the sign, etc;

Another phenomenon which explains the similarities between sign language and spoken language is morphology where it talks about how even in sign language, just like in spoken and written language, there seems to exist a morphological system which consists of various grammatical variations. For example, the hand movement of a gesture that involves 1st person and the hand movement that involves 2nd person grammatical variations may differ from one