Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

 Communication can be categorized into two basic forms: 

1)    Verbal Communication

2)    Non-Verbal Communication

 

 

 

Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication is the communication in which some type of language is used.   In this Communication message is transmitted verbally.

Communication is done by word of mouth and a piece of writing.

Any type of Communication which involves the use of various written or spoken words is referred to as ‘Verbal Communication.’  Here the sender gives words to his feelings, thoughts, ideas and opinions and expresses them in the form of speeches, discussions, presentations, and conversations.

Types of Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication can be divided into two types:

       I.            Oral Communication: Oral communication is the process of expressing information or ideas by word of mouth.

    II.            Written Communication: The communication that takes place with the help of written symbols, either hand written or printed, is known as written communication.

 

 Advantages of Verbal Communication

 Verbal communication possesses the following advantages:

1)    It is not a time consuming process.

2)    It is cheap and effective.

3)    It provides prompt feedback.

4)    It is the most convenient method of Communication.

Disadvantages of Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is disadvantageous because of the following reasons:

1)    Oral transmission is not suitable for long messages.

2)    The lifespan of verbal messages is very short.

3)    It has no legal validity and hence will lead to problems in certain situations.

4)    It does not provide permanent record unless it is recorded with modern means of storage.

 

I)Oral(Spoken) Communication : The exchange of verbal communication between sender and receiver is known as oral communication or verbal communication.

In oral communication 

·        Spoken words are used. It includes face-to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation, video, radio, television, voice over internet. 

·        In oral communication, communication is influence by pitch, volume, speed and clarity of speaking. 

·        In case of oral communication, communication is made face to face or 

through telephone or intercom system. 

Media of Oral Communication

There are various means of oral communication. Some of them are as follows:

1. Conversation: When one person discusses his views to another person and exchanges their views in the occurrence of both then it is called face to face conversation.
2. Group discussion: Sometimes conversation takes place in a group. These may be two or more persons in a group discussion. These groups can either formal be formal or informal, depending upon the situation.
3. Formal training courses: It is an extensively used method of oral communication. Both the instructor and the learner can exchange their views honestly.
4. Counseling: Generally, it detained yearly or bi-yearly. It is adopted by the senior authority for their followers.
5. Conference: Conference is a sort of meeting at which participants exchange views and talk together. They are more in the nature of the proposal.
6. Lectures: The method is an efficient method to introduce new information or concepts to a group of learners who gathered in one place.
7. Informal communication: Informal communication is another system to exchange information verbally. It can happen in the anywhere, playground, tea table, etc.
8. Interviews: It gives an opportunity to two individuals to meet each other and understand each other’s point of view. It is just opposite of a face to face talk because it is more purposeful, directed, and serious.
9. Speeches and Presentations: These refer to oral communication by a speaker in front of a big group of audience.
10.  Radio: Radio only facilitates the audio communication. It is the cheapest and most efficient method of conveying one’s ideas, opinions, etc to masses.

 

 

Advantages of Oral communication 

1. It saves time and money. 

2. It is more effective as it establishes personal contact. 

3. It helps to clarify the doubts in the minds of the receiver.

4. It helps the communicator to pin point the important message.

5. It brings quick feedback. 

Disadvantages of an oral communication 

1. It will not act as a permanent record for future reference. 

2. It can be misunderstood by the receiver, if the communicator is poor in vocal expression.

 3. It is not suitable for lengthy communication.

4. It is also not suitable for a subject that has to be kept as a record.

II)Written Communication : The communication that takes place with the help of written symbols, either hand written or printed, is known as written communication.

In written communication, 

·         Written signs or symbols are used to communicate. 

·        A written message may be printed or hand written.

·        In written communication message can be transmitted via email. 

           Letter, report, memo etc. 

·        Message, in written communication, is influenced by the vocabulary & grammar used, writing style, clarity of the language used. 

·        Written Communication is most common form of communication being used in business.

·        Memos, reports, job descriptions, employee manuals, and electronic mail are the types of written communication used for internal communication. 

 Advantages of Written Communication:

·        It provides a permanent record of communication for future reference.

·        It is an ideal way of transmitting lengthy messages.

·        It ensures little risk of unauthorized alteration in the message.

·        It is the only means of exchanging information at distant places even beyond telephonic range.

·        It tends to be complete, clear and correct.

·        It is suited to convey message to a large number of persons at one and the same time.

 

Disadvantages of written communication.

 

·        Written communication doesn't bring instant feedback.

·        It is expensive.

·        It is time consuming.

·        It takes more time in composing a written message as compared to word of-mouth.

·        It becomes difficult to maintain secrecy about a written communication.

Difference between Written and Oral Communication

Basis	Written Communication	Oral Communication
1)Expression	Messages are expressed in written forms.	Messages are expressed in oral forms.
2)Time	More time Consuming.	Less time consuming.
3) Feedback	Feedback is delayed in written communication.	Here immediate feedback is possible.
4) Formality	Written communication needs formalities to be observed.	Formalities are not so much strictly maintained in oral communication.
5)Formal/Informal	It is usually formal in nature.	It is usually informal in nature.
6)Impact	Generally taken Seriously.	It might be taken casually.
7)Verification	It can be verified from the records.	It cannot be verified.

 

2.Non-Verbal Communication

Another special way of communication in which no words and sentences are used, is termed as ‘Non-verbal communication’. It is also as wordless communication.

Nonverbal Communication is the sending or receiving of wordless messages.

Nonverbal communication refers to gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language, posture, and other ways people can communicate without using language.

Types of Non-Verbal Communication

Some types of nonverbal communication can be categorized in following ways:-

·         Gestures include motion of the head or limbs.

·         Posture refers to both the position of the body by itself and in relation to others.

·         Body movements may include any motion of the body.

·         Eye contact and movements are the direction and focus of a person’s eyes.

·         Tone of voice is the range of pitch in the voice that may communicate something other than the words being spoken.

·         Facial expressions refer to any movement and changes of the facial composition.

 

Advantages of Non-Verbal Communication

1.     Effective in Traffic Control: Non-verbal communication are greatly helps in traffic control as drivers quickly notice non-verbal symbols and signals become alert.

2.     Substituting: Non-verbal messages may substitute for the verbal message especially if it is blocked by noise, long-distance, etc.

 For example; gestures-finger to lips to indicate need for quiet.

3.     Quick expression of message: Non-verbal cues of communication         like sign and symbol can also communicate some messages very quickly than written or oral messages.

4.     Reducing wastage of time: The message of non-verbal communication reached the receiver very fast.

5.     Help to handicapped people: Non-verbal cues of communication greatly help in handicapped people especially to deaf people. Deaf people exchange messages through the movements of hands, fingers, eyeballs, etc.

6.     Attractive presentation: Non-verbal communication is based on visual, picture, graph, sign, etc. that can be seen very much attractive.

 

Disadvantages of Non-Verbal Communication

1.     Continuous: It is possible to stop talking in verbal communication, but it is generally not possible to stop nonverbal cues.

2.     Long conversations are not possible: In non-verbal communication, long conversation and necessary explanations are not possible.

3.     Difficult to understand: It uses gestures, facial expressions eye contact, touch, etc. for communicating with others which may not be understandable for some people.

4.     Culture-bound: In nonverbal communication some symbols or gestures have different meaning in different culture. Gestures seen as positive in one culture (Like the thumbs-up gesture in the USA) may be seen as negative sign in another culture.

5.     Costly: In some cases, non-verbal communication involves huge costs. For example, PowerPoint presentations, cinema, etc. are very much costly compared to other forms of communication.

 

Difference between Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

Verbal communication	Non-Verbal communication
1) Verbal communication depends on written and oral forms of language.	Non-verbal communication depends on non-verbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and eye-contact and so on.
2) It is more structured; hence it is easier to study.	It is less structured; hence it is difficult to study.
3)It is conveyed through Emails, letters, notes, reports, i.e. Anything in written and oral format where words are used.	It is conveyed through Body posture, gestures, eye contacts, face expressions i.e. any form of expression.
4)It communicates in both types: Formal as well as informal.	Only informal communication is used.
5)It has less chance of confusion and misunderstanding of message.	It has more chance of confusion and misunderstanding of message.
6)It is easy to understand.	It is difficult to understand.

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