Module Two: Encoding and Decoding Messages
Chapter Five
<< Module Two Overview > Assignments Ch. Four > Assignments Ch. Five > Assignments Ch. Six
Though there is no dictionary on the shelf to guide it, nonverbal communication is a language unto itself. Chapter Five examines the rules and norms that we learn for using nonverbal vocabularies of touch, space, time, paralanguage, artifacts and environment.
Examine one type of nonverbal behavior to explore how it is used in encoding and decoding messages.
Describe how nonverbal communication is used in your speech community.
 

 

Topic 11: Unspoken Language

For our posting for this discussion, choose one of the following topics and then answer each of the questions on the bullet list below.

Tone of voice

Facial expression

Actions and gestures

Use of touch

Space

Time

Next, address the following questions about that vocabulary of nonverbal communication based on the characteristics of nonverbal communication discussed on page 117:

  • How does it occur constantly and continuously?
  • How does its meaning depend on context because the behavior itself is ambiguous?
  • Why is it more believable than verbal communication?
  • How is it used expressively?

 
You may also find some useful points to elaborate your posting by examining the Web links on this page, especially the Interpersonal Web Page on Nonverbal Communication and the Dictionary of Gestures.
Featured Links

Nonverbal Communication
<http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/
spd110td/interper/message/
messagenonverbal.html>

Dictionary of Gestures
<http://members.aol.com/
nonverbal2/diction1.htm>
As you describe the nonverbal communication used in your speech community, apply concrete examples for the pertinent key terms:
Key Terms

emblems
illustrators
regulators
adaptors
affect display
proxemics
territory
chronemics
paralanguage
haptics.
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Topic 12: Nonverbal Communication and Culture

As we learn language in our speech community, so also do we learn the rules and norms for unspoken language. Post a description of your culture and how members of that culture use nonverbal communication.
  • What are examples of distinctive uses of nonverbal communication in your culture/community?
  • How does its meaning depend on context because the behavior itself is ambiguous?
  • How is it used expressively?
Featured Links

Nonverbal Communication
<http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/
spd110td/interper/message/
messagenonverbal.html>

Dictionary of Gestures
<http://members.aol.com/
nonverbal2/diction1.htm
#The NONVERBAL DICTIONARY>
 
Key Terms

emblems
illustrators
regulators
adaptors
affect display
proxemics
territory
chronemics
paralanguage
haptics.
Return to top


Copyright, 2001 by Terrence A. Doyle, Ph. D