Culture and non-verbal communication

1. Culture and NONverbal communication

CULTURE AND
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Mgr. Zuzana Sándorová, PhD.

2. Introduction

Approx. 85 % of all communication is nonverbal.
Albert Mehrabian (University of Los Angeles): 93 %
-
7 %: the meaning of message is embodied in the words that we actually say
-
38 %: the meaning is communicated by the tone of the voice
-
55 %: the meaning is derived from visual cues, such as gestures, facial expressions,
etc.

3. The definition and significance

Nonverbal communication is generally understood as communication without
words, which covers a wide range of phenomena from kinesics, through proxemics
and haptics, to paralanguage and even physical appearance and dress.
A process of sending and receiving wordless messages = the message is
transmitted through e.g. gestures, mimics, posture, etc. (Benčíková, 2007)
‘Non-verbal codes send powerful messages, influencing our perception of others
and how we are perceived by others’ (Liu et al., 2011, p. 153).
The significance of non-verbal communication varies widely across cultures
(Hidasi, ibid.).
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4. Functions of NVC

1.
Reiterate a verbal message: fosters understanding.
(However, nonverbal communication may also contradict the verbal dimension and,
in such cases, it is usually the nonverbal message that is more trusted).
1.
Substitute for a verbal message; (for example, when something is difficult to
express by verbal codes or when communication partners do not share a
common language).
2.
Add extra information to verbal messages, i.e., they complement verbal
communication.
3.
Regulate verbal messages, (for instance, using hand movements to make the
other do something or to stop them doing it).

5. Other specifics of NVC

Some nonverbal codes have a universal meaning, others may widely vary across
cultures.
Nonverbal communication is also determined by cultural patterns and norms
which are learnt through the process of socialization.
To illustrate how culture and nonverbal communication are deeply intertwined,
several examples may be provided, such as different ways to attract a waiter’s
attention throughout cultures, or the gestures considered insulting, and being
prohibited in one culture, having a different meaning and being permitted in
another.
Therefore, learning the expectations in terms of appropriate nonverbal behaviour
is an important component of intercultural competence (Liu et al., ibid.).

6. Kinesics = body movement/language

It includes: gestures, mimics (facial expressions), oculistics (eye contact), arm and
leg movement and posture.
The same gestures can have different meanings (for example, the American OK
sign (France: 0, Japan: money, Tunisia: I will kill you).
Eye contact – the lenght of time that is acceptable to look directly at the other
person (honesty versus disrespect);
Leg movement – to show the soles of feet: very rude in the Arab world or Japan;
Posture or body position (for example, straight, uptight in Germany = interest/ in
Italy: aggressive; relaxed = disrespect in Germay/ in Italy: friendliness, informality);

7. Proxemics = body distance

Proxemics stands for the use of space, more specifically, the distance between the
communication partners when interacting with each other.
What one culture considers being within the comfort „zone“ could be a public zone for
another.
For example, in the USA it is approx. an arm’s length, while Latin cultures tend to stand
closer to each other when speaking.
Zones of interpersonal distance in Slovakia/Europe:
1.
Intimate (0 – 45 cm)
2.
Personal (45 – 120 cm)
3.
Social (120 – 360 cm)
4.
Public (more than 360 cm)

8. Haptics

Haptics is related to the use of touch, by which countless messages can be sent,
e.g., encouragement, affection, aggression, etc.
It includes, for example, rules for shaking hands, hugging, kissing or other forms of
greeting in a nonverbal way, tapping on the shoulder, etc.
Where, how, how often and how long people touch each other also differs from
country to country, (for example, touching female employees by their male
colleagues in the USA – sexual harassment).

9. Paralanguage

Refers to voice quality and characteristics accompanying speech, especially pitch,
tempo, rhythm, volume and pausing.
Intonation patterns and the tone of voice can be a very effective non-verbal tool.
What seems to be perfectly all right in one culture may sound like an argument for
the other.

10. Physical appearance and clothes

Can communicate: culture, religion, status, power or personality (Reynolds and
Valentine, 2004).

11. SUMMARY

What is NVC and what does it include?
What is the ratio of NVC in communication?
What functions are fulfilled by NVC?
What is another world for: body language, facial expressions, eye contact, body
distance, the use of touch?
What is included in paralanguage?
What zones of interpersonal distance do we know in Slovakia? What are the
centimeters for each?
What does haptics deal with and what does it include?
What paralinguistic aspects do you know?