Chapter III Symbol System

CHAPTER III
SYMBOL SYSTEM
Communication can take place either verbally or non-verbally. Thus, in the

process of communication, messages are transmitted through symbols, letters or words
which have arbitrary meanings.
Verbal symbols consist of words and their grammatical arrangement while non-
verbal symbols include almost everything that communicates to others except for the
use of words. The complex system of symbols used for communication is what we call
language. Each language contains elements which can create meaning when put
together. The elements of written language are the letters of the alphabet and
punctuation marks while those a spoken language are sounds, pauses, pitches, accent
or stress and intonation.
Verbal communication is the transmission of messages through the use of

oral/spoken language in the form of words in representing ideas and objects. Non-verbal
communication is the transmission of messages to another person not presented by
word symbols but through actions and behaviors or written language other than the
spoken language.
Lesson 1 Verbal Communication
Language is a person’s most effective medium of communication. It allows

people to communicate their ideas – to say or write things to each other and express
their communicative needs.
Between an individual’s existence and consciousness stand vital design and

communications. Other individuals have passed these to him – first in human speech
and later by symbols. These symbols consist primarily of words, the smallest unit of
language.
Only people can put meaning into words. As meaning is assigned to words,
language develops, which leads to the development of speaking.
Verbal communication uses oral/spoken language in the form of words. Oral

communication is the sound representation of a language. The combination of sounds so
that they become symbols that represent meanings in the process of communication is
Speech.
Speech is the most precious gift that God has given to an individual. The human
being is the only created being that can communicate his thoughts, feelings, desires and
ideas by means of speech. It is the method which oral communication takes place of
eliciting meaningful responses through the activation and coordination of speech organs.
Lesson 2 Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is the process of externalizing thoughts and feelings

into action. To say that something is nonverbal is not to say there is no sound. It
includes all activity but not including words. These elements include body language,
appearance, the sound of the voice and the communication environment.
Unspoken messages are so clear that we could read them. Sometimes, they are
subtle, making us feel something about what is going on, but we are unable to figure
out the reason for our feeling. There are several characteristics of nonverbal
communication that make it distinct from verbal communication. Some of these are:
a) Nonverbal communication gives hints of how people feel. Nonverbal behavior

allows us to interpret messages of happiness, confusion, anger, fear,
excitement, etc.
b) Nonverbal communication makes it impossible for people not to

communicate. At all times, wherever we are and whatever we do, we
communicate something (sleeping, eating, and leaving the house). Each of
us is a kind of transmitter (blushing, sweating, trembling, and stammering).
c) Nonverbal communication involves attitude not ideas. We can easily express

our feelings and attitudes nonverbally, but we can better express our ideas
verbally. When one is tired and is scared in entering a room this can be
expressed easily nonverbally.
d) Nonverbal communication behavior provides clues, not facts. Nonverbal

messages cannot be interpreted accurately, so, the real meanings need to be
verified.
e) Nonverbal communication provides much more information than verbal

communication. A person can speak one word at a time, but one can send a
number of nonverbal messages at the same time by means of facial
expressions, gestures, eye contact, clothes, distance, etc.
Symbols of Non-Verbal Communication
There are five types of symbolism in non-verbal communication: paralanguage,

kinesics, proxemics, chronemics, and object language.
1. Paralanguage is the way we say things. It is composed of the vocalizations

and pauses associated with speech, such as pitch, loudness, intensity or
softness and hardness, or what people generally refer to as “tone.” The tone
of our voice can communicate anger, fear, boredom, sarcasm, affection, joy,
etc. Interruptions like “uhh,” or “hmmp” plus unfilled pauses and hesitations
round out the main components of paralanguage. Any vocal noise that has
no meaningful content qualifies for this category of non-verbal
communication. Paralanguage may indicate emotions, reluctance to respond,
indecision or other signs that one is not ready to give an unequivocal
statement or response.
2. Kinesics, or body language, is composed of a wide variety of signals. It is

the study of how the body, face and eyes communicate. It is composed of:
• Gestures refer to the movements we make with our hands, feet and
head or with any part of the body. A shake of head means disagreement
while a nod can show agreement. A shrug of the shoulders can
communication indifference. A closed first held up in a formal speech can
indicate defiance. Tapping of fingers on a table can show impatience. The
uplifted middle finger, once used by a former prime minister to indicate
his disdain of views being expressed, has become almost universally
known as a sign of contempt. Crossed arms may indicate reservation of
defensiveness, just as leaning forward may indicate interest or liking.
Body movements or positions tend to be more diffused in meaning than
facial language and therefore may be harder to read. Hand movements
are particularly rich in meaning when they are used to emphasize the
spoken word, although they may be overused so that they distract from
the meaning of the words. It is apparent then that most bodily gesture
can communicate a virtue of meaning.
• Postures refer to the way we hold ourselves. Are we leaning forward or

slouching back? Do we show confidence, interest, impatience,
carelessness, laziness by the way we sit, stand or walk? However, you
are cautioned not to be absolute in assessing the individual as posture
may also be influenced by other physical factors. Let’s observe the
indications of the following positions: (From “The Secrets of Body
Language,” RDA Association Ltd., 1990)
Ø Legs wide apart: eagerness to impress

Ø Legs slightly spread apart: self-confidence
Ø Legs very close together: fear and tension
Ø Feet parallel: attentiveness
Ø Feet turned inwards: insecurity
Ø Feet turned outwards: self-confidence
Ø Body balanced on the inner sole of foot: great tension
Ø Body balanced on the outer sole: nervousness
• Physical Appearance has to do with grooming and the clothes we

wear. One’s appearance down to the last detail reveals to others at a
glance a great deal about a person’s personality.
• Facial expressions (facial language) include all the different
movements reflected on our faces such as the pout (resistant), smile
(welcome), twitching of the lip muscles (impatience or fear), and the
wink (friendship). Facial language also expresses facial movements
such as raised eyebrows, closed or half-closed eyes, flaring of the
nostrils, and the position of the mouth. Various studies over the years
suggest that seven primary emotions are expressed by the face:
happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, disgust-contempt, and
interest. Obviously, any good actor can fake these emotions by
making their faces express the emotion, even if they don’t feel it. The
face can deceive!
• The language of the eyes is supposedly the richest non-verbal

communication of all, at least, according to the romantic tradition.
The seductive glance, the icy stare, the inquisitive look, or the shifty
eyes that indicate deceit, are all part of the rich descriptive stock of
literature. Throughout most of history, the eyes have been known as
the “windows of the soul.” This purely theological idea has become an
integral part of the common folklore that even today we believe that
by looking someone straight in the eye, we can tell whether or not he
or she is speaking the truth. Such expressions are looking “deeply”
into the eyes of another, simply confirm the prevalence of this idea.
Lovers gaze deeply into each other’s eyes for long periods of time
without speaking. Eyes can reveal a range of emotions such as anger,
concern, doubt, happiness, fear, sadness and arrogance. It is also
important to look at our audience or maintain eye contact when
addressing them to acknowledge their presence and a feeling of
importance.
3. Proxemics refers to the use of space and distance. The way we use space
and distances give a variety of messages and how well we know the
listeners. They are interpreted as levels of intimacy, interest, authority and
degree of power. A manager behind a desk conveys power and authority.
Types of Proxemics Zones (Edward Hall)
1. Intimate Zone (0 – 6 inches)

This is the distance for love-making, wrestling, comforting and
protecting.
2. Personal Zone (one and a half (1 ½) to two and a half (2 ½) feet;

two and a half (2 ½) to four (4) feet at the farther end)
Holding hands is done. Physical contact is not necessarily
engaged, but another person is clearly seen.
3. Social Zone (four (4) to seven (7) feet; seven (7) to twelve (12) feet
at the farther end)
Touching is not possible. Formal business is typical.
4. Public Zone (twelve (12) to twenty-five (25) feet)

The body of another person is visible but the details of the face
are not. A speaker addressing a mass audience is typical.
4. Chronemics refers to the use of time which varies with cultures and
situations. The Filipino’s expression of “better late than never” and the
perception to make “a dramatic entrance” are positive drawbacks in our
culture. When we are late for an appointment, we are giving the message
that we are taking it for granted, or simply showing that we are easy-going
or careless. Our coming on time can convey positive messages such as
respect for the person, interested in the subject matter and well-organized
use of time. Tardiness suggests a low regard for the sender, situation or
message.
5. Object language refers to clothes and things that aid communication

facility to a considerable degree. You are judged to be more credible,
persuasive and desirable. If you wear conventional clothes and accessories,
you are traditional. When you wear bizarre clothes, you are associated with
the radical, activist, non-conformist group. Clothes and things make a
difference in the way we perceive things.

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CHAPTER III

Communication can take place either verbally or non-verbally. Thus, in the

Verbal communication is the transmission of messages through the use of

Lesson 1 Verbal Communication

Language is a person’s most effective medium of communication. It allows

Between an individual’s existence and consciousness stand vital design and

Verbal communication uses oral/spoken language in the form of words. Oral

Nonverbal communication is the process of externalizing thoughts and feelings

a) Nonverbal communication gives hints of how people feel. Nonverbal behavior

b) Nonverbal communication makes it impossible for people not to

c) Nonverbal communication involves attitude not ideas. We can easily express

d) Nonverbal communication behavior provides clues, not facts. Nonverbal

e) Nonverbal communication provides much more information than verbal

Symbols of Non-Verbal Communication

There are five types of symbolism in non-verbal communication: paralanguage,

1. Paralanguage is the way we say things. It is composed of the vocalizations

2. Kinesics, or body language, is composed of a wide variety of signals. It is

• Postures refer to the way we hold ourselves. Are we leaning forward or

Ø Legs wide apart: eagerness to impress

• Physical Appearance has to do with grooming and the clothes we

• The language of the eyes is supposedly the richest non-verbal

Types of Proxemics Zones (Edward Hall)

1. Intimate Zone (0 – 6 inches)

2. Personal Zone (one and a half (1 ½) to two and a half (2 ½) feet;

4. Public Zone (twelve (12) to twenty-five (25) feet)

5. Object language refers to clothes and things that aid communication

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