Q Enumerate the different categories of non-verbal communication and state their importance in communication process with suitable examples.

Q Enumerate the different categories of non-verbal communication
and state their importance in communication process with suitable
examples.
Ans: NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION:
Communication may be verbal – by written or spoken symbols (usually words) or it may be
non-verbal – without words. Non-verbal messages are sometimes more clear, accurate and
effective as compared to verbal communication, because they are internationally used and
understood. Non-verbal communication may be divided into the following three categories:
1. Appearance
2. Body Language
3. Silence, Time and Sounds
1. APPEARANCE:
Appearance affects the quality of written and spoken messages as follows:
i.Written Messages:
The envelope’s overall appearance size, colour, weight, postage and the letter’s overall appearance
length stationary, enclosures, layout, etc. may convey significant information and impressions.
ii.Spoken Messages:
Personal appearance of the speaker-clothing, jewelry, hair-style, neatness, etc. may tell about the
age, sex occupation, nationality, social, economic and job status. Similarly, appearance of the
surroundings room-size, location, furnishings, lighting, etc. may tell a lot about the message.
2. BODY LANGUAGE:
Facial expressions, gestures, posture, smell, touch, voice etc are included in body language.

i. Facial Expression:
The eyes and face may express the hidden emotions e.g. anger, fear, joy, love, surprise, sorrow,
interest etc.
ii. Posture and Gestures:
The message can effectively be communicated by actions. Deaf people and traffic constables make
use of actions. In our daily life clenched fists may indicate anger, leaning forward to the speaker
may reveal interest and repeatedly glancing at the watch may be a sign of being bored.
iii. Smell:
Good or bad smell often expresses the situation e.g. smell because of oil or gas leakage warns the
danger. Similarly, fragrance and perfume convey emotions and feelings better than spoken or
written words.
IV Touch:
Touching people in different ways (and places) can silently communicate friendship, love
approval, anger or other feelings.
3. Silence, Time and Sounds
i. Silence:
Silence is an effective medium of expressing serious feelings and emotions e.g. death of relative or
loss in business. A mistake may be admitted by silence. Silence may also confirm a statement.
ii. Time:
Time communicates in many ways, e.g. waiting for a long time may indicate interest or love and
giving a short notice means urgency.
iv. Sounds and Para-language:
The style of speaking and the volume of voice (Intonations and Modulations) of voice may
produce variations between what is said and what is meant, e.g. the words “how prompt you are”
may criticize a person arriving too late.