ISL451U-BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Chapter 2: Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Introduction
The ability to speak and produce words that allow us to express emotions and thoughts is the oldest known form of communication. The way humans perceive the world around them is always shaped by the language they speak. Language lies at the core of any society as it allows humans to coexist in an organization. Within these societies, languages constantly evolve. In this sense, language can be perceived as a living organism. Language and communication are structures that constantly renew themselves. Language can be set apart in two categories as spoken language and written language. The subject of this chapter is spoken language, in other words, the act of communicating our thoughts and emotions verbally.
On the other hand, non-verbal communication is defined as the collection of all communication that takes place without words. They are guided by emotions and therefore appear more persuasive than words. Facial expressions, posture, movements or gestures, clothes, accessories, silence, shouting are all non-verbal communication elements.
Verbal Communication
Language is examined in two forms: written and spoken. Verbal communication, or speaking, is the act of expressing our thoughts and emotions by using words (Özkırımlı, 1994: 137).
The expression of any topic with words regardless of the level of preparation is classified as verbal communication. Public speeches are examined under two categories: prepared speeches and unprepared speeches.
• A Good Speech Must Have Purpose • A Good Speech Must Be Fluent • A Good Speech Must be Interesting • A Good Speech Addresses the Target Audience • A Good Speech Must Be Supported By Body Language
Prepared Speeches
Speeches that have been produced with the purpose of achieving a certain goal are called prepared speeches. The preparation may include written notes or texts about the topic.
Conference: Conference is a speech delivered by an expert such as an artist, writer, academic on a topic of art and science, where the speaker explains his thoughts and emotions about the topic to the audience.
Oration: Oration is a speech that is delivered with visible excitement to talk about important announcements. It carries an educational value.
Symposium: Opinion-based speeches that are delivered on the topics of arts and sciences by experts in front of an audience. Each speaker is given 20 minutes on average. In a symposium, a specific topic is examined from different
perspectives as the participants present their opinions based on the various works of research they have conducted. Symposiums can be both national and international.
Panel: Panel is the discussion of a topic that concerns the well-being of the society by experts. The number of speakers that attend a panel usually changes between 4 to 8. The audience consists of a small group of individuals. During a panel, each speaker is given the right to speak multiple times. The audience also gets to participate at the end of the discussion by asking questions. Finally, the panel head concludes the event with a speech that ties together the various points made by the speakers.
Forum: Discussions carried out on social issues under the supervision of a chair.
Seminar: Meeting that aims to inform about the results of various recent researches. The main goal is to inform about research results and move on to discussing them
Discussion: The speeches in front of the audience of two contradictory aspects of a subject, where mutual views are explained by the two groups, the weaknesses of the opposite side are sought and the opposing view is tried to be refuted. The discussion is led by a chairman.
Unprepared Speeches
Unprepared speeches are the acts of communication we engage every day to sustain our daily life.
Greetings: It is the primary method for conveying respect to co-workers, friends or family during our daily encounters. Expressions such as “hello”, “good evening” or “good bye”.
Checking up on Others: “How are you? Are you okay?” like expressions.
Meeting Others and Introducing People: Two individuals who do not know each other will introduce themselves to each other when they get together for the first time.
Asking Questions and Receiving Answers.
Congratulating: Upon the successful completion of a task or when we receive any form of good news, it is appropriate to express our joy and satisfaction to the people.
Conveying Condolences: After the loss of a loved one sayin expressions like “I’m sorry for your loss”.
Phone Conversations
Non-verbal Communication
All the emotions and thoughts that we express without words are considered as nonverbal communication. Communication includes meanings on the face, eye movements, posture, clothing, and features of the sound. Nonverbal communication is the common expression of body language, which is defined as the most primitive social behavior. In cases where emotions and thoughts
cannot be put into words, a glance, a gesture or a gesture means more than hundreds of words.
Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Verbal messages serve the cognitive functions and content in the communication process. Nonverbal messages, on the other hand, have a function based on affecting the feelings of the receiver in communication.
Functions of Nonverbal Communication Independent From Verbal Communication
• Identification Function • Strength and Status Function • Emotional Function • Verbal Substitution Function
Functions of Nonverbal Communication According to Codes Used with Words
• Regulation Function of Nonverbal Communication • Completion of Nonverbal Communication • Highlighting Function of Nonverbal Communication • Conflict Function of Nonverbal Communication
Oral Communication and Body Language
Speaking is a basic condition for communication, but it is not sufficient alone. Through body language, people can show their feelings and thoughts such as fear, anger, sadness, hate, happiness, attention, attention, sleep, tension, and violent behavior. Non-verbal communication, which constitutes an important part of interpersonal communication, has an important place in the message transmission process.
Facial Expressions (Eye, Lips, Eyebrow Movements)
The face and eyes are the most effective communication channels of the human body in expressing emotions. Facial expressions of individuals generally provide more reliable information than the words they use.
Gestures and Mimics
Mimics, one of the most important aspects of non-verbal communication, are the reflection of the reactions of the inner world to external stimuli. In the process of perception, when interpreting the message, people also make comments from the face expression of the other person. Information about happiness, surprise, fear, anger, disgust, interest, and sadness can be obtained by looking at a person’s facial expressions. Gestures, as well as mimics, are another body language element that people pay attention to, display and evaluate as a reference to verbal messages, consciously or unconsciously, during the communication process.
Gestures are divided into two: symbolic and speech gestures. Symbolic gestures are signs used to express what is not spoken. It’s like making a sign that everything is fine with our thumb. On the other hand, speech gestures
are the gestures used during speech that seem related to what is spoken and accompany it.
Sound and Silence
Voice is one of the most determinant elements of interpersonal communication.
While silence sometimes replaces verbal communication, sometimes it has a greater effect as a communication action in itself.
Space
Personal space can be defined as the area that we adopt as an extension of our own body. It is mostly defined by how close we are with a specific individual. The degree of closeness is always an important emotional determinant. Humans enjoy getting closer to people they like and even touching them. However, personal space is extended when we are with people we do not know or like. Space as an element of non-verbal communication is a good indicator of the degree of trust and affection between individuals.
Fashion Choices and Colours
The fashion choices of an individual reveal a lot about their age, social status, education, financial standing, sexuality, profession, ethnic identity and emotional state. The messages conveyed by the clothes in non-verbal communication are related to the style, shape and selection of the clothes as well as the colours of those clothes.