Nonverbal communications are as important as verbal ones.
Those with laryngitis quickly discover ways to communicate without relying on the usual verbal skills. They develop nonverbal ways of communicating until they heal enough to speak once again. Others who have never had the ability to verbalize, or lost it through illness or accident, also develop ways of communicating without words. Nonverbal communication accentuates verbal skills.
Facial Expressions
Facial expression can be as important as speech when communicating. Even when you can speak, your facial expression gives depth to your words. Maybe you are too far away for a greeting, but a smile conveys approachability. A smile also conveys happiness or delight in meeting another person. A frown makes you more unapproachable. A frown conveys unhappiness, concentration or frustration. When used against another person, it means you are unhappy in some way with the other person or with something they said or did. Facial expressions convey human emotions like joy, anger and love.
Eyes
Eyes also reveal emotion, from narrowed eyes that speak anger to the wide eyes of wonder and awe. If your gaze travels up and down, or anywhere but toward the other person, you convey boredom, disinterest or the implication that you're lying. Looking directly at the other person transmits a sense of integrity and interest.
Body Language
Body language is equally important in conveying a non-verbal message. A shrug of the shoulders may be seen as dismissive of an idea or a person. Slumping shoulders conveys defeat or discouragement. Tight, tense shoulders may reveal anger. Most people pick up on these signs without knowing that the body language of the person speaking sends a louder message than the words spoken.
The way you hold yourself and walk also conveys a loud non-verbal message. When you remain stiff or lean back or away from those with whom you seek to communicate, you transmit an attitude of fear and/or unapproachability. Leaning forward and smiling conveys that you are interested and approachable.
Hand Gestures
How someone shakes hands conveys a nonverbal message about that person and their response to you. Barely touching someone's hand may indicate a certain hesitation or revulsion to the person or a person's imperfections. Hand gestures help those with whom you communicate to comprehend spoken communication. If you never use your hands to assist in communicating, you may be conveying a lack of passion, caring, concern or boredom. A stiffness in hand gestures and posture may also indicate intimidation or fear.
Many who are unable to communicate verbally learn sign language and communicate quickly and efficiently with others who understand hand sign language. Sign language is also taught to children who find it difficult to start communicating. Many with certain limitations find they can communicate with their hands in a way they cannot do verbally.
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