The exchange of ideas and thoughts is known as communication. One can communicate to other people by speaking, writing, and other mediums. It is easy to understand that the communication among human beings is mainly verbal and through language. However, if we further illustrate the mediums and means of communication, we will get to know that the communication is not only verbal. Non-verbal communication is a type of communication in which verbal language is not used.
There are following types of Non-verbal Communication
1) Facial expression
When your dads frowns at you when you come back home late, you instantly understands that he is angry with you. Even if he does not scolds you, his mere frowning exchange his mental state. There are innumerable facial expressions which are considered as universal. For instance, smiling in the United States means that the person is happy or pleased, and in other countries, it would hold the same meanings.
2) Gestures
Certain movement and signals are also used to communicate with other people. Instead of calling someone’s name among a group of people, you can point your finger at the person you want specifically want to talk to. Gestures are mostly used with verbal communication to add weight to the message you want to deliver to the other person.
3) Paralinguistic
People often confuse paralinguistic form of communication with verbal communication. Paralinguistic communication refers to the vocal sound such as pitch, loudness, and inflection, separated from language. Talking in a high pitch demonstrate one’s enthusiasm or anger, while talking in a low voice explains one’s lack of interest or hesitation.
4) Body Language and Posture
Body language is very important way of communicating non-verbally. For instance, crossed-armed shows one’s defensive posture and loose shoulders show one’s boredom or tired state. People often dance when they feel happy, their dance describe the intensity of their happiness.
5) Proxemics
The amount of distance one prefers to keep with someone while talking to him plays an important role. If you prefer to stand close to someone while talking to him, it means that you are quite comfortable with him. People often prefer to keep a significant distance from total strangers to avoid any mishap.
There are other non-verbal communications as well, but the aforementioned types are the most common forms of non-verbal communication. Other forms such as Eye-gaze, communication through touch, or painting, and drawings are also very important forms of non-verbal communication.
