Verbal and Non-verbal communication Comparison
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Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication.
Communication is the process of passing or exchanging ideas from one place to another and between two or more people using a medium. Communication can be further subdivided into Verbal and Non-verbal communications. Verbal communication is a mode of communication that entails audio language, speech and words to express one’s feelings and rely upon particular information among the parties involved. Verbal communication includes four major categories, which are intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, small group discussion and public communication. On the other hand, non-verbal communication is a mode of communication that involves gestures, eye or body movements, facial expression and majorly doesn’t involve speaking. Nonverbal communication can include the use of gestures and facial expressions. Verbal and nonverbal communication differ in communication, mode of communication, and the communication decoding process.
The first difference is in the medium of communication. The medium of communication is the channel by which the information conveyed from the sender follows to reach the receiver. On the medium of communication, verbal communication uses languages, words, sentences, and voices to express one’s thoughts, feelings, or ideas. These words can be relied on either in oral or written form. On the other hand, nonverbal communication uses body language, facial expression, tone variations, and pauses in the speech of an individual to rely on the information. Non-verbal communication may include body language(kinesics), Paralanguage and sign language.
The second difference is in the mode of communication. The mode of communication describes how information is conveyed from the sender to the receiver. In verbal communication, the process is linear and voluntary in that the individual sets to deliver a certain message, and they gather their thoughts. They construct the information and deliver the message. Throughout the process, the sender undertakes a well-thought-out process to communicate their message effectively. In non-verbal communication, the process is not clearly well thought out and is mainly involuntary, with one acting based on their emotions or instincts. The non-verbal communication is not a linear process in that it depends mainly on how the body behaves to external stimuli.
Decoding of communication is another area in which the two differ. Decoding of the communication is how the information being communicated is turned into thoughts, and the recipient can understand the information being communicated to him. In verbal communications, information is easily decoded, and it just depends on if one understands the language that is being used and paying close attention to the person who’s talking. Contrary to verbal communication, non-verbal communication is a little bit harder to decode. It requires one to be keen on the speaker’s body language, facial expression, and tone to decode the information that is being conveyed.