Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Reflection

“Why do we learn Nonverbal and Verbal Communication?” I usually hear this question among my classmates and sometimes I asking myself this question too. I think that the question is come out by the difficulty of this subject, prepared by Mr. Kao Sovansophal, Lecturer of Subject Business Communication. Anyway, I would like to reflect my feeling towards these lessons of the subject Business Communication though I have just come across a very small part of it.

So far, I have almost finished unit two and three which are Nonverbal Communication and Verbal Communication.

Of course, in these two units are very beneficial to all the entire student to understand how to improve our verbal and nonverbal skill and what verbal is and nonverbal is. As normally, my lecturer still taught me and my classmates to worked in group and gave us opportunity to discussed the lessons in order to improve our thinking, relationship, and sharing our knowledge to each other. Moreover, after we’re worked in group my lecturer also explaining us and providing some handouts which are relate to the lessons.

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In Unit2 “Nonverbal Communication” is very important to all the people around the world to understanding of nonverbal communication, though, by being sensitive to context that includes the physical setting the occasion, and the situation and makes a difference in your nonverbal communication, so you have to adapt. And feedback also, can be very important in helping others interpret your nonverbal cues that might otherwise distract your listeners.

First of all, in this unit, I have learnt nonverbal communication is defined as the process of using message that are not words to generate meaning.

Besides the definition of nonverbal communication we also know that nonverbal communication is classified into four different types

Personal nonverbal communication (the use of nonverbal actions in a way that is personal or unique to that person.), cultural nonverbal communication (characteristic of a group of people.), universal nonverbal communication (the behavior that is common to humankind. Often show happiness, sadness, or deep-seated feeling), and unrelated nonverbal communication (is unrelated to the verbal message.). Besides that, I have learnt types of nonverbal communication are related in six ways: repetition (the same message is sent verbally and nonverbally), emphasis (it is used to strengthen the message), complementation (add meaning to each other and expand on either message alone), contradiction (when verbal and nonverbal conflict), substitution (when you use no verbal at all), and regulation (used to monitor and control interactions with others).

Furthermore, I can think of some nonverbal codes which is classified into seven main areas: body movement (includes movement of hand, eyes movement, posture, and facial expression.), physical characteristics/physical attraction, touching behavior, vocal quality or paralanguage, use of space, or proximity, clothing and other artifacts, and environment. More than that, nonverbal codes are difficult to interpret. First, one code communicate a variety of meaning. Second, a variety of codes communicate the same meaning. And third, interpretation of intentionality varies.

As a matter of fact, when I open my course book and check the handout, I find that is one question that I don’t understand in the handout that lecturer give us to answer, it is said often that “Actions speak louder than words”. When I saw this question, I started thinking and searching this idiom what does it mean. After I have been searching this idiom I found the definition of it, they said that, in addition to hard copy, electronic, and oral communication formats, management’s actions powerfully communicate what is important to the organization. I think it want to say that it is more effective to act directly than to speak of action.

For this unit2, I would like to reflect my idea that study nonverbal communication is very important give me to know how to use nonverbal codes correctly and increase my knowledge of nonverbal communication which is improve my own ability to communicate information and to persuade others. In many instances, it will help me reinforce my verbal messages. The greater your nonverbal skills, the more successful you’re likely to be at informing as well as influencing others. It will enable me to make a more effective self-presentation. Consider, for example, that when I meet someone for the first time—at least in face-to-face meetings—I form impressions of the person largely on the basis of his or her nonverbal messages.

Being able to more effectively understand and manage my nonverbal messages will enable me to present myself in the way I want to be perceived. Each of these benefits and skills can be used to help or support another, or, unfortunately, they can be used for less noble purposes. For example, a person adept at nonverbal communication will be more effective in persuading others to buy cars or sign a mortgage they can’t afford or present themselves as competent when they aren’t or increase their attractiveness before hitting you up for a loan.

After this Unit2, I will talk about the Unit3 “Verbal Communication” is very beneficial too to all entire student. However, there are still lots of things that I can remember. The first thing that comes into my mind about what I have learnt from this unit is the meaning of Verbal Communication. Verbal Communication can take form of spoken words between two or more people, or written word in written communication. Moreover, we need to know more about definition of what language is. Language: a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate. When we talk about language, we need to know the characteristic of language. Language has rules: multiples rules, among them are semantics, syntax and pragmatic, Language and culture are intertwined because the transmission of cultures occur through language and according to Sapir Whorf Hypothesis (a theory that our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes and our thought processes are limited by our language and, therefore, that language shapes our reality), Language organizes and classified reality, Language is arbitrary and abstract.

Beside the definition of language and characteristic of language we also know that there are nine forms of unique language: Colloquialisms (words and phrases that are used informally), Clichés (an expression that has lost originally and force through overuse), Euphemism (a polite, more pleasant expression used instead of a socially unacceptable form), Slang (a specialized language of a group of people who share a common interest or belong to a similar co-culture), Jargon (the technical language developed by a professional group), Regionalism (words and phrases that are specific to a particular region or part of the country), Sexist language (language that excludes individuals on the basis of gender), Racist language (language that insults a group because of its color or ethnicity), and Heterosexual language (language that implies that everyone is heterosexual).

And the technique that could be used to demonstrate my verbal communication skills is avoid intentional confusion, use descriptiveness, be concrete, differentiate between observation and inference, and demonstrates cultural competence. Furthermore, Interpersonal communication and public speaking are the two basic types of verbal communication. Whereas public speaking involves one or more people delivering a message to a group, interpersonal communication generally refers to a two-way exchange that involves both talking and listening.

On the other hand, Verbal communication has many purposes, but its main function is relaying a message to one or more recipients. It encompasses everything from simple one-syllable sounds to complex discussions and relies on both language and emotion to produce the desired effect. Verbal communication can be used to inform, inquire, argue and discuss topics of all kinds. It is vital to teaching and learning, as well as forming bonds and building relationships with other people.

For this unit3 “Verbal Communication”, I think it is very important to gives clear expression because people are able to express themselves quite clearly. They can be able to emphasize on certain ideas, views and insights as they cite examples thus facilitating for a clear understanding among the communicators. Moreover, it is provides a good understanding with verbal communication you can be able to understand people better. When you speak to someone and they respond to you as well as you continue to engage in a conversation, you will get to understand this person more because you are able to explore his emotions as well as body language through his words.

With communication, there is no guess work. You can understand exactly what the other person is saying to you. Effective communication is done by both verbal and non-verbal communication. However, the former is the most successful when it comes to discussing, explaining and citing examples. People who have good verbal communication can easily make friends because they are able to express themselves clearly thereby understanding others as well.

In conclusion, I have learnt and understood a lot from these two units, Mr. Kao Sovansophal who is the lecturer that teaches me and my classmates to know how are these units very essential. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication is very important to make us understood the different aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication, types of verbal and nonverbal communication, and the important roles they play in our interactions with others. And if we know well about them, we are easy to communicate with other people, especially the people who have different culture from us.