Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

In effective communication, speakers do not only communicate using their words but also with their
actions. They should also see to it that the actions they make must match with what they say,
otherwise, miscommunication may take place. Communication using words is called verbal
communication while communication without words such as facial expression and hand gestures is
called non-verbal communication. Communication can take among people with or without words.
There are two types of communication: verbal and non-verbal.
Verbal Communication Verbal communication is the use of words in sharing information with other
people. It can include both spoken and written communication. Spoken communication is mostly
face-to-face, but nowadays, technology such as phone and internet allow people to communicate
with others without being at the same place at the same time. The verbal element of communication
is all about the words one chooses and how the receiver interprets it. The purpose of communication
is to convey information to others. Through the choice of written and spoken words, ideas are
exchanged. Unfortunately, miscommunication is common, many times that participants in a
communication process fail to understand what are said or written.
There are possible barriers to verbal communication. First, people themselves participating in the
interaction can be the barriers. They may have poor infirmities such as poor hearing or eyesight and
others stutter. People have different opinions and beliefs; they follow cultural mores (values,
customs, and behaviors that are accepted by a particular group); or they adhere to society’s attitudes
toward gender and sexuality, business practices, and religious beliefs. The factors mentioned above
can lead to their inability to deliver, listen to, and respond appropriately to the message.
Opinions and beliefs color our message or our response. The participants, both speaker and listener
have opinions and beliefs that belong to a culture and a gender. Gender comes into communication
when people categorize certain ways of speaking or using words as being masculine or feminine.
Many people do not expect men to be soft spoken or have a high-pitched voice or women having
harsh and a low-pitched voice.
The topic may also be a barrier to communication because of its vagueness, complexity, emotional
pull, or hidden agenda. The speaker must avoid these qualities in the topic of the message so that,
instead, it will be clear, simple, restrained, and with no hidden motives.
Communicative Situation is another group of possible barriers to communication. There may be

“noise” in the physical setting and in the participants themselves. The actual noise from the
surrounding may cause the participants to understand one another. At the same time, the
participants may have their own motives for participating, motives that are not aligned with or
support the speaker’s purpose for communicating. The audience must know whether the speaker is
there to entertain or to persuade. The listener may not have enough knowledge or experience to
form a basis for interpreting and responding to the message.
Language Choice also leads to communication breakdown. The linguistic differences among the
participants can be a barrier to communication. Some words used by the speaker may mean different
things to others. Depending on how a word is used, it can easily be misinterpreted by another
person. The speaker must be very careful with the words he uses.
Non-Verbal Communication
Transmitting messages without using words is called non-verbal communication. It is conveyed as

visual cues. Gestures, facial expressions, giving flowers, choosing a color of what to wear, or putting a
forefinger in front of lips are just some examples of non-verbal communication. Although no word is
used, non-verbal communication can effectively communicate many human feelings.
1. Language of gestures
Gestures are the most often used type of non-verbal communication. To be more
understandable and interesting to a listener, the speaker must accompany his/her speech with
gestures but one has to consider the culture of the receiver because gestures have different
meanings in other places. In the Philippines and other countries, nodding means yes but it is the
opposite in the Middle East.
The following are other examples of gesture:
a. Emblems – clenched fist upraised
b. Emphasizing – “YES” clenched both fists in front of breast
c. Illustrating – “this large” (open hands set apart)
d. Regulating – “shh” forefinger in front of lips
2. Facial Expression
The face plays a very important role in communication. It expresses various types of emotions or
feelings such as joy, sorrow, anger, annoyance, confusion, fear, hatred or surprise. Within the
facial area, eyes are especially effective for indicating attention and interest. However,
interpretations of facial expressions differ from culture to culture.
4. Language of flowers
Flowers are also used to say what we cannot expressed in words. These meanings are also
influenced by culture and gender. In the Philippines, men send flowers to women. When men
give flowers, it reflects their reference to women as delicate and feminine. It indicates special
treatment. When a man gives a woman flowers, it's a sure sign that she is someone very dear to
him.
Using flowers can create conflict if one does not know the culture of a place. In the Philippines,
one will be annoyed if someone gives her plumeria or kalachi. In Hawaii, they give kalachuchi to
welcome guests. Italians send chrysanthemums for special occasions, but Filipinos generally see
them in funeral arrangements.
5. Language of space
Language of space or proxemics is the use of space based on importance. This type of non-
verbal communication is similarly used as chronemics by people who want to show who they
are. In some companies, the one who holds the highest position usually has the biggest office
and in the best location such as on the top floor or penthouse of the building. Distance can
express the degree of intimacy and individual acceptance.
6. Language of time
Language of time or chronemics is the use of time based on position and power. In the
Philippines, time is most often used to convey how powerful a person is. Someone in authority
may show that his/her time is more important than that of the visitors by making them wait.
7. Language of touch
Language of touch also known as Haptics can also be used to expressed what cannot be said. It
is also one of the most powerful of the types of non-verbal communication. Unlike the other
types, in Haptics, there is contact between the sender and the receiver of the message. Touch
can comfort, encourage, dissuade, or aggravate.
Paralanguage
Paralanguage refers to the “how” of saying something other than what is said. The meaning of
words spoken depends on how they are said. Tones, voices, and rhythm must match the content
of the message if the message is to be understood at all; they reinforce the message. The words
with strong points to deliver must be emphasized with strong paralanguage.
8. Posture and Body Orientation
Posture and body orientation are also a type of non-verbal communication. How one stands or
sits tells the people around how one sees oneself as a speaker, how he/she sees the listeners,
and his attitude toward the message. One can communicate numerous messages by the way he
walks. Standing erect, but not rigid, and leaning slightly forward may mean that one is
approachable, friendly, and receptive.

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Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

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In effective communication, speakers do not only communicate using their words but also with their

Communicative Situation is another group of possible barriers to communication. There may be

Transmitting messages without using words is called non-verbal communication. It is conveyed as

The following are other examples of gesture:

a. Emblems – clenched fist upraised

b. Emphasizing – “YES” clenched both fists in front of breast

c. Illustrating – “this large” (open hands set apart)

d. Regulating – “shh” forefinger in front of lips

8. Posture and Body Orientation

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