Speech Nonverbals

  1. Paralanguage

    1. A type of nonverbal communication that uses vocal inflection. Stressing some words and using different tones of voice to convey meaning. Meaning changes when you emphasize different words. 

  2. Kinesics

    1. Nonverbal communication that communicates through body movements

      1. Posture, gestures, facial expression, and way of moving all convey meaning

    2. Emblems: Stand for words (thumbs up)

    3. Affect Displays: Convey emotional meaning (crying)

    4. Regulators: Control or affect another;s speech (tapping foot, looking at a watch)

    5. Adaptors: Satisfy a need (tying shoes)

    6. Illustrators: illustrate (finger quotation marks)

      1. These nonverbals are different based on the country

  3. Proxemics

    1. The way in which we position ourselves in relation to other people communicates nonverbally. 

      1. Intimate 0” - 18”

      2. Personal 1 ½’ to 4’

      3. Social 4’ to 12’

      4. Public: 12’ to 15’


  1. Haptics

    1. Touch

    2. Most often associated with emotional intimacy

    3. Cultural variations and gender variations

      1. Middle eastern: kiss

      2. America: handshake

      3. Japan and India: bow

      4. If a contact culture meets with a noncontact culture misunderstandings can happen

  2. Appearance

    1. Whether we like it or not we are judged by our appearance

    2. Extra-credit for speeches