Communication is a vital aspect of human beings. Simply, it is an act of passing information from one person, group, or place to another, and it can be divided into verbal and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication is the most available mode of communication as it uses words to convey information and can be subclassified into oral or written communication. Written communication includes using letters and typed electronic documents, texting, and emails. On the contrary, nonverbal communication describes a mode of communication that conveys the message through emotions, thoughts, attitudes, intentions, and needs without using verbal language. Therefore, this paper compares and contrasts verbal and non-verbal cues.
Firstly, the channels of communication differ in the two modes of communication. Interestingly when analyzing verbal communication, it is easier to note that it uses a single communication channel whereby the human voice speaks one word at a time. For instance, when in a phone call, callers talk while the receiver waits for their turn to convey information understandable (Vogel et al., 15). On the other hand, non-verbal communication utilizes multiple channels to deliver the message. These channels include tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, touch, and humor.
Secondly, it is essential to understand the consciousness of both communication channels. Consciousness describes awareness or sentience of external and internal environment, sensations, feelings, and thoughts. Verbal communication in away involves a conscious process incorporating the aspects of processing, thinking, and articulating (Purnell, 134). Before communicating, people tend to think about what they will say and its impacts on the receiver. On the contrary, non-verbal communication fundamentally occurs at an unconscious level where an individual does not engage in active thinking.
Additionally, a key theme to consider is on decoding communication. Usually, decoding involves the ease with which a receiver interprets the words or signs sent by a sender. In verbal communication, interpreting the message is fairly easier when one understands the language being used. Also, even without understanding the language, an individual can quickly pay attention to the speaker and understand the message. Moreover, in non-verbal communication, it is somehow harder to decode the message being conveyed (Paranduk & Karisi, 147). This is because a person has to be keen and attentive to several factors, including facial expressions, body language, and tonal variation, to understand the meaning.
Despite that, the mode of communication differentiates the two channels. This is because verbal communication is voluntary and linear. An individual has to gather thoughts together, formulate relevant words then deliver the message. In a way, it is a well-thought protocol that a speaker has to focus clearly (Spencer et al, 150). On the other hand, verbal communication entails a continuous process that is involuntary. Also, it is not well thought out and is nonlinear. This mostly depends on how people use their bodies to respond to external stimuli.
Besides, verbal and non-verbal communication are similar in a unique manner. Both channels aid in sending and receiving information, and more importantly, they combine or coexist to deliver the message effectively. For instance: reacting to bitter medicine, an individual would combine both modes of communication. Non-verbal communication reinforces, regulates, and substitutes communication.
In conclusion, people must master verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication can be enhanced through various activities like reading more on communication techniques, listening to other people, and practicing speaking. Similarly, it is easier to learn nonverbal communication by practicing appropriate body language, facial expression, and interacting with other people. Besides, it is essential to observe how people respond to things to master non-verbal cues effectively.
Works Cited
Paranduk, Rida, And Yofri Karisi. “The Effectiveness Of Non-Verbal Communication In Teaching And Learning English: A Systematic Review.” Journal Of English Culture, Language, Literature And Education, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2021, Pp. 145-159.
Purnell, Larry. “Cross Cultural Communication: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication, Interpretation and Translation.” Global Applications of Culturally Competent Health Care: Guidelines for Practice, 2018, pp. 131-142.
Spencer, Trina D., and Douglas B. Petersen. “Bridging Oral and Written Language: An Oral Narrative Language Intervention Study With Writing Outcomes.” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, vol. 49, no. 3, 2018, pp. 569-581.
Vogel, Daniela, et al. “Verbal and non-verbal communication skills including empathy during history taking of undergraduate medical students.” BMC Medical Education, vol. 18, no. 1, 2018.
