Nonverbal Communication Training Guide

In most situations, nonverbal communication is an essential component of intercultural expression. People rely on nonverbal communication techniques to convey the connotations of identity links within such contexts. Facial expressions, smiles, gestures, eye contact, and other non-linguistic communication techniques are all examples of non-verbal communication. It further expresses the spoken communication’s intended meaning. Consequently, this could make things clearer or make them more confusing. These cues could, however, lead to conflict amongst users. Typically, different cultures may assign different meanings to a single signal. There may be several nonverbal clues transmitted simultaneously (Neuliep, 2017).

Therefore, you must take into account how cultural rules are typically displayed. The considerations include adherence to gender variations, social and economic class, relationship statutes as well as environmental situations. Thus, the attitudes, emotions and the relations take the central role in most of the messages conveyed in the non-verbal communications (Knapp, Hall, & Horgan, 2013). . When one quickly looks away from an attempt at making eye contact with the partner may imply that he or she is not impressed or busy or not in good moods to talk. This way, you have the opportunity to consider what message would appear in the recipient’s case while using these means along the journey.

An excellent non-verbal communication scenario should respect all sets of the standard forms. These forms include the sense of touch, also known as haptics, space or proxemics, paralanguage including vocal cues, facial expressions as well as physical appearances.

Physical appearance is a significant contributor in the non-verbal communications. The way you appear, physically, significantly affect your daily interaction with the others. Some people may display ornaments or artifact to communicate their cultural endowment. These options express their unique identity in culture. Therefore, when you opt to wear clothes and or any other objects, it is advisable to understand that both options communicate something about in that community.

At the same time, paralinguistic skills play a vital in communication and identity. The vocal cues help in ethnic as well as gender recognitions. Thus, one needs to understand people talk differently in various cultures. The African-Americans have a different accent as opposed to the Latin Americans. They have a unique accent that is bound to their identity in the societies. Moreover, many variations exist in the tones and pitch of communication among many people across the states. Some people speak slowly while others speak at a faster rate. Thus, there may be a call for an attentive focus on volumes, precision as well the speed of communication. Some people may evaluate our conversation based on these skills. Some cultures interpret raising voice amid discussion as anger while most people will understand the same as being sincere or authentic in communications. The African American, for example, highlights these cases while being expressive in their voices and adhering to standard accents.

Kinesics is the most common nonverbal communication asset among the African American culture in the world today. Facial expressions have multiple impacts across their cultures since the face can produce various appearances in a single communication. It can express sadness, disgust, happiness, anger, fear, surprise, interest as well as revulsion within a session of dialogue. It is true that the eye plays the most critical role in this context (Leathers, & Eaves, 2015). This way, you recognize the importance of eye contact based on the culture of the recipient. Some people acknowledge eye contact as attentiveness, sincerity, confidence among other attributes. Failing to make eye contact may indicate the contrary. Evidently, the western culture recognizes eye contact as appropriate in communication whereas, in the eastern cult, a connection may imply being disrespectful. Likewise, these people use gestures to connote specific aspects of their culture in the societies. Using emblems as shoulder movement may communicate messages such as being unaware of the concerns.

Similarly, it is good to understand that the haptics culture among the African Americans may be particular in certain aspects. Hugging hello is standard practice. While it may be appropriate to pat the buttocks of peers and playmate, it is unethical and offensive to do the same to your boss. Proxemics or the study of space has a far-reaching impact on the nonverbal communication among the African American. Most people tend to observe personal boundaries in communication sessions. As a result, it is useful to keep environmental boundary, interpersonal as well as psychological boundaries when you want to communicate successfully (Burgoon, Guerrero, & Floyd, 2016).

Based on these concepts, you would make a compelling communication once you observe the diversity of cultures (Hamilton, 2013). The way you interpret the content may fail to match the users, ’ but you have to be flexible in judgment. Consequently, we should understand the deeper meaning specific cues from the users to ensure that the superficial perceptions match the intended purposes.

In conclusion, your success in the foreign culture will depend on your perception and personal attributes in nonverbal communication. You should embrace being adaptable and sensible in the display of the basic rules of nonverbal cues. Minimize racist tendencies in decoding the messages while communicating to people in the foreign culture. Finally, it is ethical to approach people with open minds and understand the meaning their cultural cues while embracing the diversity of cultures in the world.

References

Knapp, M. L., Hall, J. A., & Horgan, T. G. (2013). Nonverbal communication in human interaction. Cengage Learning.

Burgoon, J. K., Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2016). Nonverbal communication. Routledge.

Leathers, D. G., & Eaves, M. (2015). Successful nonverbal communication: Principles and applications. Routledge.

Hamilton, C. (2013). Communicating for results: A guide for business and the professions. Cengage Learning.

Neuliep, J. W. (2017). Intercultural communication: A contextual approach. Sage Publications.