Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication
is defined as the collection of all communication that
takes place without words. In the communication
process, verbal messages serve cognitive functions
and content, while non-verbal messages have
a function based on emotional influences and
emotions. They are guided by emotions and
therefore appear more persuasive than words. If
there exists an inconsistency between spoken and
body language, our body language appears more
truthful. Facial expressions, posture, movements or
gestures, clothes, accessories, silence, shouting are
all non-verbal communication elements. Not what
we say, but how we say it is essentially non-verbal
communication.

• The speech starts the moment the speaker is
  called to the stage and lasts until the speaker
  has left the stage
• The speaker must not wear flashy or
  distractive clothes as the choice of outfit
  may be the focus of the audience’s attention
  instead of the actual speech
• Appearance and body language are the
  most prominent factors that affect first
  impressions
• Gestures and facial expressions allow us to
  send signals to the people around u
• The speaker must not start the speech
  instantly upon arriving on the stage but
  instead wait for the audience to signal that
  they are ready by remaining quiet
• The speaker must communicate in clear
  and short sentences as much as possible.
• Clarity must always be the primary focus
  of attention

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. Speech, conference,
information feast, open session, interview, discussion, forum and seminar are examples of prepared speech

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

Symposiums are 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

Oration is a speech that is delivered with visible
excitement to talk about important announcements.
It carries an educational value. The main goal
is to convey a certain information or emotion to
the audience

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

Seminar is a 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. 

Unprepared speeches are the acts of
communication we engage every day to sustain
our daily life. These are also called impromptu
speeches. Bilateral chats, group chats, meetings
and discussions, phone calls, celebration speeches,
talking on the phone, thanking are examples of
unprepared speech

The following points are important
when calling a colleague who is not a part of our
personal social circle.
• Early morning and late night periods are
not appropriate times of the day for phone
calls.
• The person who initiates the phone call
must introduce himself after greeting the
person who answers the call.
• In a situation where there is uncertainty
about which number is called, the caller
must state his purpose in calling and who
he wishes to speak.
• The person who calls must bethe oneto end
the conversation. In crowded environments,
it is inappropriate to talk loudly.
• When using public transport, it is also
inappropriate to make loud phone calls.
• At concerts, theater plays or cinema halls
where a large audience is present phone
calls must be avoided.
• Constantly checking our phone during
meetings with friends or business partners
will be rud

It is possible to divide the
functions of nonverbal communication into two
groups. First group functions are about conveying
some meanings without using any words. For
example; it is possible to convey some messages
without talking, such as shaking your head,
touching someone’s shoulder, or wearing a badge
representing an institution. The second group of
functions supports verbal communication. While
using the body language to support what the speaker
talks about, he can observe that the audience also
listens and approves and makes predictions about
this issue

Identification Function: Non-verbal behavior,
such as his / her own tone of voice, the way of
following the rules of speech, the ability to use
body language, the style of clothing, the accessories
he uses, the hygiene and care, the way of sitting,
the posture, the care of one’s own or others’
personal space, are informative about a person’s
level of education and their place in society. Due
to the image of the individual, an assessment can
be made regarding her social status. The mutual
appearances and behaviors of the individuals enable
them to have an important and close idea about
each other

In some cases, non-verbal communication may be preferred instead of
verbal communication. While making a phone call, the person, who gives a place with a slight nod to the
guest entering the room, communicates with the other person without the need for a word. Knowing the
types of non-verbal communication that replaces and completes the word can provide communication
superiority in deciphering and transmitting the messag

It is the use of nonverbal communication to make
the verbal message stronger. Teacher’s coughing or closing the door with a set to get attention when
entering the classroom is a non-verbal communication movement to attract the attention of the class.
During the dialogue, the speaker signals using the tone or silence that her speech is finished and that the
other person can speak. A person who speaks loudly and fast does not want to promise her. Hand, arm,
head and eye movements used by the speaker serve as traffic signs for the person opposite. Thus, nonverbal communication codes guide by organizing verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication codes ensure that the message you want to convey
is highlighted when the source sends its message
to the target. Improvisational behaviors with body
language emphasize the message. For example,
speaking out loud at a business meeting, referring
to frequent hand and arm movements, keeping
your eyes still for a long time without losing your
eyes emphasizes the message “I am self-confident”.
Non-verbal communication codes can sometimes
be hand-gestures, sometimes a carefully selected
outfit or a soft tone. Using the emphasis of nonverbal communication elements to understand the
importance of the given message strengthens our
communication.

The contributions
of body language to the communication we
establish with us are as follows (Torun, 2018: 123).
• It simplifies the comprehensibility of the
message.
• It makes verbal communication more
effective.
• Lack of body language elements causes the
communication process to be faint and
disconnected.
• It helps develop organizational culture.
• It provides impressions to reciever about
the person giving the message.
• It emphasizes the seriousness or importance
of the message.
• It adds value to the message, making it
more convenient for the receiver

Body language may not be taken seriously
sometimes because it is not permanent. These are
the disadvantages of body language.
• Body language has different meanings
according to different cultures. Different
meanings can prepare for mutual
misunderstanding.
• Facial expressions, gestures, and mimics
become ineffective when the listener is
inactive. In such cases, it is difficult to
receive an extra message.
• In the face-to-face communication process,
body language is effective but loses its effect
in large and crowded environments.
• The use of inappropriate body language
causes a negative image to be created (Rane,
2010).

Mimics, one of the most important aspects of
non-verbal communication, are the reflection of
the reactions of the inner world to external stimuli. 

Gestures and mimics that have emotional
or cognitive meanings are classified as head
movements, eyebrow and eye movements, shoulder
and arm movements, hand and arm movements.

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.