B.TECH./ B.C.A (Professional Communication) Ms.

Kaumudi Singh
Assistant Professor, AS&H-PC
E-CONTENT Faculty of Engineering & Technology

Q. What do you understand by Kinesics or Body Language?

Body Language / Kinesics: (Non-verbal communication)
Often the physical movement of the body and their study is known as body language or kinesics. In this
connection Raymond and John rightly remark. To them kinesics “is the way the body communicates without
words, that is, through various movements of its parts”. No doubt, we express our emotions through words but
often the inner states of emotion are expressed through different parts of the body and their physical movements.
We can communicate or send the message even by nodding the head, blinking the eyes, shrugging our shoulders
or waving our hands.
When we study body language, we look at the meaning of symbols that the physical movements of the body
are communicating. Through outward body movements true inner emotions are reflected. For the expression of
these inner body states, the face and eyes, gestures and physical appearance are to be studied. For self control,
the presenter should pay attention to his body language, for this following parts of kinesics should be
considered:
1) Maintain eye contact
2) Face and eyes
3) Gestures
4) Body shape and posture
5) Appearance

1) Maintain Eye contact:

The speaker should maintain a steady eye contact because it is an effective means of developing rapport with the
audience. If the presenter looks at the audience for a long period of time, it shows his intensity of interest. Eye
contact as well as eye movements indeed help significantly in communicating successfully in oral
communications.
2) Face and eyes:
Face is the index of mind. The face, it means, reflects what is going on inside the speaker. In this context, eyes
tell us much more than other facial features. The facial expressions are associated with happiness, surprise, fear,
anger and sadness. Even eyes, nose, cheeks or forehead express one’s inner goings on. For example, the
eyebrows with upper and lower eyelids raised, giving a wide eyed effect indicate that the person is excited,
surprised or brightened. Similarly if we look at someone or something for a long period of time, we show our
intensity of interest. Eye contact and eye movements indeed help significantly in getting success in interviews,
seminars, or other face to face oral communications. The interviewee or one who is giving the oral presentation
should keep a pleasant face with a natural tendency to smile. He should maintain an open look and also make
eye contacts with the interviewer or the members of the panel.
3) Gestures:
In addition to the face and eyes, other body parts move and convey meaning. These movements are known as
gestures, the physical movement of arms, legs, hands and head. For example, if the arms are spread apart,
shuffling from one leg to another and body slightly extended forward, these gestures convey meanings of
nervous and intense.
As gestures have meanings so they should be coordinated with proper intensity of speech. The greater
the gesture the louder the speech and vice versa”, comments a scholar. A presenter while facing the audience is
advised to keep positive postures, since it indicates his positive personality.

4) Body shape and posture:

A third area of kinesics involves body shape and posture. As far as body shape is concerned, we can’t do much
about it since it is given to us by God. But with the right posture we can impress the interviewer and the
audience.
Raymond and John D refer to the behaviourists who have studied the shapes of our bodies and have identified
three types:
1) The ectomorph – thin youthful and tall.
2) The mesomorph – strong, athletic, muscular and boney.
3) The endomorph – fat, round and soft.
Indeed physical shape communicates hence let us try to be mesomorphs.
But it is not possible to be mesomorph since genetically either we are ectomorph or endomorph, then we can
win our interviewer or the audience with good posture. A person with good and appealing body shape but with
bad postures and unfavourable image will communicate a negative message.
5) Appearance:
By appearance we mean external appearance in which our dress, jewellery and make up play a pivotal role. The
speaker should consider how others will view him in relation to how he wants to be seen. He should dress up
himself in simple and sober dress.
Thus, kinesics, inclusive of facial expressions, gestures, body shape and posture will be the part of the messages,
the speaker wants to communicate.

Q. Explicate Proxemics or space language.

Proxemics / Space Language:
In addition to kinesics non verbal communication also includes proxemics which means the space
around us or the distance between the speaker and the listener. Proxemics is derived from the word proximity
which means closeness. Proxemics has a definite meaning in oral presentation. “Our interaction with the people
around us has rather a well defined or well understood spatial dimensions”, comments KK Sinha. It means the
spatial dimensions or distance between us and other people tell us about our relations with others and the nature
of our communication with them.
Edward T. Hall has given four types of space language, depending on the distance:
1) Intimate Space Language:
2) Personal Space Language
3) Social Space Language
4) Public Space Language

1) Intimate Space Language: (within the circle of 1.5 feet)

Where the speaker and listener are within the circle of about 18 inches distance. Only family members
and the close friends enter this area.
2) Personal Space Language: (1.5 to 4 feet)
Where the speaker and the listener are in the personal space i.e. from 18 inches to 4 feet and in this circle
they can have normal conversation.
3) Social Space Language: (4 to 12 feet)
Here the circle extends from 4 feet to about 12 feet. This social space language is used for formal purposes.
Most of the business is done within this area.
4) Public Space Language: (12 feet to ….)
It extends from 12 feet to as far as we can see and hear. In this large space, communication becomes formal. In
it the speaker speaks at loud pitch so that a large group of the audience can hear him.

Q. Elucidate Chronemics or Time dimension.

k) Chronemics / Time Dimension:
The most important thing at a work place is the management of time. Similarly management of time is
the watchword of the successful presentation. During the presentation, if the speaker takes a lot of time, his
speech becomes monotonous. To grab the attention of the audience during presentation, the speaker should try
to sum up his presentation within the allotted time. He should plan and rehearse well so that his speech will not
go beyond the allotted time.

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