Seminar 3

There are two types of communication: verbal, involving listening to a person to understand the meaning
of a message; and nonverbal communication involving observing a person and inferring meaning. Very
often, scholars single out a separate type – written communication, in which a message is read, however,
it is mostly treated as a subtype of verbal communication. Verbal communication is the spoken or written
conveyance of a message. Human language can be defined as a system of symbols (usually known as
lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated. That is, language can be
characterized as symbolic.
Verbal communication is the use of language to transfer information through speaking or sign language.
It is one of the most common types, often used during presentations, video conferences and phone calls,
meetings and one-on-one conversations. Verbal communication is important because it is efficient. It can
be helpful to support verbal communication with both nonverbal and written communication.
Here are a few steps we can take to develop our verbal communication skills:
· Use a strong, confident speaking voice.
· Use active listening.
· Avoid filler words.
The progression of written communication can be divided into three "information communication
revolutions":
1. Written communication first emerged through the use of pictographs (pictograms). The pictograms
were made in stone, hence written communication was not yet mobile. Pictograms began to develop
standardized and simplified forms. 2. The next step occurred when writing began to appear on paper,
papyrus, clay, wax, and other media with commonly shared writing systems, leading to adaptable
alphabets. Communication became mobile.
3. The final stage is characterized by the transfer of information through controlled waves of
electromagnetic radiation (i.e., radio, microwave, infrared) and other electronic signals.
Here are a few steps you can take to develop your written communication skills:
· Strive for simplicity.
· Don’t rely on tone.
· Take time to review your written communications.
· Keep a file of writing you find effective or enjoyable.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal communication describes the processes of conveying a type of information in the form
of non-linguistic representations. Examples of nonverbal communication include haptic communication,
chronemic communication, gestures, body language, facial expressions, eye contact etc. Nonverbal
communication also relates to the intent of a message. Examples of intent are voluntary, intentional
movements like shaking a hand or winking, as well as involuntary, such as sweating. Speech also
contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, e.g. rhythm, intonation, tempo, and stress. It affects
communication most at the subconscious level and establishes trust. Likewise, written texts include
nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, the spatial arrangement of words and the use of emoticons
to convey emotion. The channel of communication can be visual, auditory, tactile (such as in Braille)
and haptic, olfactory, electromagnetic, or biochemical.
The visual system is the part of the central nervous system, which gives organisms the ability to
process visual detail as sight. It detects and interprets information from visible light to build a
representation of the surrounding environment. The psychological process of visual information is known
as visual perception, a lack of which is called blindness.
Auditory system relates to the sense of hearing.
Tactile concerns the somatosensory system, which is a part of the sensory nervous system.
 The somatosensory system is relating to or denoting a sensation (such as pressure, pain, or
warmth) which can occur anywhere in the body, in contrast to one localized at a sense organ (such as
sight, balance, or taste).
Braille is a form of written language for blind people, in which characters are represented by
patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips.
Olfaction is a chemoreception that forms the sense of smell. Olfaction has many purposes, such
as the detection of hazards, pheromones, and food. It integrates with other senses to form the sense of
flavor. Human communication is unique for its extensive use of abstract language. Abstract language
refers to qualities and ideas. Concrete language appeals to the senses. If a word is concrete, you will know
which of the five senses it appeals to.
The examples of abstract language: love, faith, patriotism, fear, while concrete are: apple-scented,
tart, muscular, frigid etc. Development of civilization has been closely linked with progress in
telecommunication. Telecommunication is the transmission of signs, signals, messages, words, writings,
images and sounds or information of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.
Telecommunication occurs when the exchange of information between communication participants
includes the use of technology.
Verbal components play the leading role in the interpersonal communication; they are means of
the language code i.e. words, word combinations, sentences, text, by means of which information is
transmitted.
Nonverbal communication is an interdisciplinary field, explored by different communication
scholars: psychologists, linguists, anthropologists, sociologists. The contributions of these researchers
showed that the verbal part of communication is just the top of the iceberg.
Statistical data state that in some types of communication people express more nonverbally than
verbally. The study by A. Mehrabian (2001) showed that in the communication of attitudes, 93 percent of
the message is transmitted by the tone of the voice and by facial expressions, whereas only 7 percent of
the speaker’s attitude is transmitted verbally. The total impact of a message is a function of the following
formula: [Total impact = 7% verbal + 38% vocal + 55% facial].

This formula is not applicable to all messages; it is applicable only to expression of feelings.

Nonverbal messages can be accurately interpreted only in a context.

The signs of nonverbal communication can be presented in the form of such table.

Artefacts
People also communicate using artefacts – the “things” or objects that they wear, use, or associate
with their culture. In particular, artefacts come in three types: (1) personal artefacts; (2) shared artefacts;
and (3) public artefacts.
• Personal Artefacts are objects people wear or carry near their bodies such as jewelry, clothes,
scents, cosmetics, and other personal belongings. Such objects generally belong to only one person and
are shared with only close friends or relatives.
• Shared Artefacts are objects people routinely share with others: cars, furniture, artwork, stereos,
computers, and so on. Unlike personal artefacts, purchase of shared artefacts often involves more than
one opinion, making the symbol one that is shared with the other persons involved
• Public Artefacts are those objects that many people share as a group or culture. Buildings,
roadways, parks, theatres, skylines, and even public restrooms are all artifacts that are open to public use
and comment. These objects symbolize the taste, values, finances, ethnic backgrounds, or other
characteristics of the group or culture that they represent.
Functions of Nonverbal Symbolizing:
Nonverbal symbols work with and without language to help communicators create and share
meaning. In particular, nonverbal symbols can:
(1) substitute for verbal symbols;
(2) reinforce verbal symbols;
(3) contradict verbal symbols;
(4) control interaction