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What is Nonverbal Language?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Nonverbal language is often too narrowly defined as gestures and body language. While these certainly form a great deal of the nonverbal language spectrum, they are not the sum total of all types of communication that could be classed as nonverbal. In addition to gestures and body language, sometimes what we don’t say can be classed as nonverbal. For instance, not answering a question could communicate multiple things, like not knowing the answer, not having actually heard the questioner, or being a dismissive of the question as inappropriate or not worthy of answering.

Further, when nonverbal language is described, it almost always encompasses not only what we say but also the way in which we say it. Tone, sarcasm, the way a speaker ends a sentence, emphasis on words, and a variety of other ways we say things that are spoken, are the “how” and not the “what” of our spoken language. Many people include this second group as nonverbal, even though it is spoken language.

Women often twirl their hair and look over their shoulders when they are flirting.
Women often twirl their hair and look over their shoulders when they are flirting.

There have been numerous books and essays about how our nonverbal language communicates for us. Some gesturing may be used as emphasis for how we speak; the batting of the eyelashes may convey a flirtatious thought. How we stand, walk into a room, hold ourselves while we’re speaking, and if we make eye contact or fail to, are all body language that can convey layers of meaning to those with whom you communicate. You can even see how two people speaking two different languages may be able to speak to each other through gestures, expressions, and just a few words in a an unfamiliar tongue. Of course, different cultures may assign different meaning to body language and gestures, so it’s advisable to be careful when you use these while attempting communication with people of other cultures.

Body language, like crossed arms, can often give off negative cues to other people.
Body language, like crossed arms, can often give off negative cues to other people.

There are different percentages assigned to the amount of communication existing in a language that is nonverbal language. Though these percentages may be quoted as high as 93%, in reality the figure is about 70% percent by most accounts. It really helps, then to think about how you present yourself, how you gesture, how you pronounce words, and how you use tone. These may communicate about 70% of what you’re trying to say.

Giving the thumbs up sign is a form of positive, nonverbal language.
Giving the thumbs up sign is a form of positive, nonverbal language.

Another reason that understanding nonverbal communication is important is because of autism scale learning disorders, in particular, nonverbal language or learning disorder (NLD). NLD affects numerous people and is characterized by a person’s inability to read nonverbal cues, and the failure to understand tone and inflection. If you communicate with a person with NLD, they would only be receiving about 30% of what you’re trying to say.

A presenter who smiles might be able to disarm an audience and invite them to become more engaged.
A presenter who smiles might be able to disarm an audience and invite them to become more engaged.

In a classroom setting, students with NLD can be severely challenged, accused of not listening and thought lazy. Some even undergo a battery of tests to see if they are partially deaf. The reality is that these students are listening, but they’re not decoding nonverbal language with the facility of their peers. Students of this type usually need extremely specific written directions and specific spoken cues to keep up with their classmates. Without these, they flounder in school settings and have a difficult time relating to their peers. They also may not ever be able to read sarcasm, so it is important for teachers to be aware of this disorder when teaching NLD students.

Both positive and negative attitudes can be expressed nonverbally.
Both positive and negative attitudes can be expressed nonverbally.

While nonverbal language remains a tool that enhances, or sometimes obstructs communication, specific spoken language may convey a point with greater precision. Others may be more or less adept at reading body language, and may not always “get” tone. It should be said that most people do take body language and tone into account when hearing others speak, so, in addition to using precision in spoken language, it can be helpful to understand when body language might detract from a point you are trying to make, rather than helping to emphasize it.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent LanguageHumanities contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

icecream17

Suntan12- I totally agree. You know that there are some people that can read body language signals. For example, children suffering from Autism can not read non verbal body language.

In addition, they don’t understand humor nor can they understand sarcasm. These children can grow up very lonely because they lack the ability to develop social relationships because of these deficiencies in reading non verbal communication.

They also do not maintain body language eye contact which is the cornerstone of most non verbal communication.

suntan12

Bhutan- I agree with you. You can see that flirting language is another form of non verbal body language. Batting eye lashes, winking and maintaining intense eye contact are all signs of physical attraction.

Touching a person's arm or leg when speaking also demonstrates sexual interest in that person. Body language signals like these really send a message that someone is interested in you.

It is really important to pick up on non verbal body language because if you don’t feel the same way, you need to express that in your body language.

Also, if a person is angry or upset it is important to read this body language meaning so that you don’t make the person feel worse by your gestures.

Bhutan

The power of body language can make or break a job interview or sales presentation. Tonya Riemann, an expert in non verbal body language has written many books on the subject and is as a Fox New contributor.

She really explains that in order to establish a positive rapport, you need to mirror the body language of the speaker.

For example, if the speaker were nodding, then you need to perform this gesture as well. Also, positioning yourself toward the speaker and maintaining an open posture tells the speaker that you are interested in what they are saying and the open posture denotes confidence.

Nonverbal body language really accounts for about 90% of all communication.

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    • Women often twirl their hair and look over their shoulders when they are flirting.
      By: jorgophotography
      Women often twirl their hair and look over their shoulders when they are flirting.
    • Body language, like crossed arms, can often give off negative cues to other people.
      By: sharpshutter22
      Body language, like crossed arms, can often give off negative cues to other people.
    • Giving the thumbs up sign is a form of positive, nonverbal language.
      By: prudkov
      Giving the thumbs up sign is a form of positive, nonverbal language.
    • A presenter who smiles might be able to disarm an audience and invite them to become more engaged.
      By: Africa Studio
      A presenter who smiles might be able to disarm an audience and invite them to become more engaged.
    • Both positive and negative attitudes can be expressed nonverbally.
      By: gpointstudio
      Both positive and negative attitudes can be expressed nonverbally.
    • Smiling can be a nonverbal indicator of attraction.
      By: Ariwasabi
      Smiling can be a nonverbal indicator of attraction.
    • Nonverbal language can set the tone of a conversation.
      By: dmitrimaruta
      Nonverbal language can set the tone of a conversation.