Study notes for BEGAE-182 Block 1 Unit 3. Covers verbal and non-verbal communication, kinesics, eye contact, body language, proxemics (Edward T. Hall), silence, semantic barriers, socio-psychological barriers, and the Six Wh-s. Free PDF download.
Free study notes by IGNOUNotes.in for BEGAE-182 Block 1 Unit 3 — Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication. This unit covers all modes of communication, body language (kinesics), proxemics, silence, semantic barriers, socio-psychological barriers, and the Six Wh-s of effective communication. Complete with model exam answers.
When we think of communication, we usually think of words — spoken or written. But communication is much broader than that. Most of us communicate through a combination of words, body language, facial expressions, and even silence. This unit helps you understand all the modes of communication and — more importantly — when to use which mode.
Verbal communication uses words — either spoken (oral) or written.
Non-verbal communication does not use words — it uses body language, signs, symbols, expressions, gestures, space, and silence.
Research by psychologist Albert Mehrabian suggests that about 55% of the impact of a message comes from the non-verbal mode — facial expression, posture, and gesture. Only 38% comes from tone of voice. Just 7% comes from the actual words.
The oral mode is more natural, spontaneous, and interactive. However, not every situation calls for spoken communication. Here are the situations where the oral mode works best:
| When to Use Oral Communication | Example |
|---|---|
| Personal authentication is needed | An officer briefing her secretary privately about a sensitive matter |
| Social or team bonding is the goal | Welcoming a visiting delegation with a warm speech |
| Exactitude is not critically important | A brainstorming session where rough ideas are welcome |
| Maximum understanding is needed quickly | A principal explaining a new policy directly to teachers |
| Decisions must be communicated fast | Officers issuing orders during a flood or disaster |
| Confidential matters need to be discussed | An interview selection discussion among committee members |
| Open atmosphere is desired | Talks between college management and the student union |
| Added impact is needed | A CEO addressing the entire company at an annual meeting |
| When to Use Written Communication | Example |
|---|---|
| Information must be stored and retrieved later | Official records, orders, minutes of meetings |
| Reliability and verification are important | A memo confirming a decision taken in a meeting |
| Crucial decisions or plans are involved | Project proposals, performance appraisals |
| Communicator cannot be physically present | Circular to all branch offices across India |
| Communication is subject to review | Goals, policies, annual reports |
Robert McNamara (US Secretary of Defence): "Go home tonight and put your great idea on paper. If you can't do that, then you haven't really thought it out."
Lee Iacocca (Ford and Chrysler): "In conversation, you can get away with all kinds of vagueness and nonsense. The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen."
In professional life, face-to-face and phone conversations are usually confirmed in writing (email or letter), especially for external communication. This creates a permanent record and removes the risk of misunderstanding later. Oral + Written together = maximum clarity and accountability.
Non-verbal communication is all around us — often more powerful than words. A smile, a frown, a handshake, a raised eyebrow, even a long silence — all of these communicate something, often more honestly than words do.
Any communication that conveys a message without using words. This includes body language (kinesics), facial expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures, signs, symbols, graphs, physical distance (proxemics), and silence. Studies suggest about 55% of communication impact comes from the non-verbal mode.
Non-verbal communication has one major advantage over verbal: it can overcome language barriers. This is why airports, hospitals, and international public places use symbols and signs instead of words. A red light stops all drivers instantly — regardless of their language.
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Signs | Fixed, universally understood signals that communicate a specific message instantly | Red traffic light = stop. Skull & crossbones = danger/poison. Green flag from railway guard = go. |
| Symbols | Represent ideas or organisations; often understood across cultures | A heart = love. A white flag = peace or surrender. The Ashoka Chakra + three lions = Government of India. |
| Logos | Visual identities of organisations; recognised even by those who cannot read | The IGNOU logo, company logos, election symbols on ballot papers |
| Graphs & Charts | Show numerical data or comparisons visually — far clearer than a verbal description | A pie chart showing government expenditure; a bar graph showing modes of transport |
| Flow Charts | Show processes, hierarchies, or sequences clearly | An organisational chart of a university showing departments and their heads |
Your IGNOU textbook (BEGAE-182, Block 1, Unit 3, p.44) includes a chart of common public symbols used at airports, railway stations, and public places — baggage, bar, buses, check-in, currency exchange, customs, etc. Refer to this in your book. These symbols are universally understood regardless of language — which is the core advantage of non-verbal signs.
Body language is often called the "visible code." As the saying goes: "We talk with our vocal cords, but we communicate with our facial expressions, our tone of voice, our whole body." The scientific study of body language is called kinesics.
At an interview: looking directly at the interviewer shows confidence, but staring continuously is considered aggressive or disrespectful. The correct approach is to look at the interviewer's face naturally, occasionally breaking the gaze slightly. This is a practical tip that is often tested in IGNOU exams.
| Gesture / Posture | What It Communicates |
|---|---|
| A jutting-out chin | Defiance, stubbornness, challenge |
| Rubbing one eye | Boredom, tiredness |
| Open palms facing upward | Openness, honesty, willingness |
| Foot tapping | Impatience, nervousness |
| Folded hands resting on table | Attentiveness, readiness |
| Leaning slightly forward (seated) | Interest, engagement, enthusiasm |
| Leaning back (seated) | Relaxed — or sometimes disinterest |
| Tight lips | Anger or low spirits |
| Biting the lips | Nervousness, anxiety |
| Raised hand with pointing finger | Can be seen as threatening — should be avoided in professional settings |
The study of how humans use physical space in communication is called proxemics, associated with American anthropologist Edward T. Hall. Physical distance between people reflects and communicates the nature of their relationship.
Fig 3.1 — Three Types of Personal Space (Edward T. Hall · Ref: BEGAE-182, Block 1, Unit 3, IGNOU)
A lecturer standing on an elevated stage at a distance from students can rarely build personal rapport. A teacher who walks between the aisles and comes closer tends to connect far better. However, a superior who stands too close to an employee may feel intimidating. Distance communicates both relationship and power.
Silence is not the absence of communication — it is a powerful form of it. Silence can express protest, create dramatic effect, provoke thought, or be used strategically in negotiations. Indira Gandhi was known for her effective use of silence in high-level meetings. The Japanese are also noted for using silence as a communication strategy.
| Situation | What Silence Communicates |
|---|---|
| When someone is emotional and upset | Waiting silently shows patience and respect — letting them process |
| During a negotiation | Strategic silence when unrealistic demands are made signals refusal without confrontation |
| During a presentation | A deliberate pause draws attention and adds dramatic impact |
| When asked a difficult question | A brief pause before answering shows thoughtfulness — too long signals unpreparedness |
| In response to an insult | Dignified silence signals self-control and refusal to engage |
Even when the sender and receiver share the same language, communication can still fail. These failures are called semantic and linguistic barriers — problems arising from the use of language itself.
Example 1: "They can fish here." — Does this mean (a) they are allowed to fish here, or (b) they put fish into cans here?
Example 2 (Workplace story): A carpenter told his helper: "When I nod my head, hit it hard." The helper hit the carpenter's head — because the pronoun "it" was ambiguous (the nail or the head?).
Example 3 (Joke): A farmer said: "We eat or sell what we can; and what we can't, we can." — "can" means both "is possible" and "put into a tin can."
| Stressed Word | Sentence | Implied Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| STOLE | They stole the fruit from the garden. | Focus on the action — stealing, not buying or taking with permission |
| THE FRUIT | They stole the fruit from the garden. | They took the fruit specifically, not other things |
| THE GARDEN | They stole the fruit from the garden. | The source is the garden, not a shop or someone's bag |
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| They rang up the parents concerned. | They called the parents who were involved in the matter |
| They rang up the concerned parents. | They called the parents who were worried |
| It snows here only in winter. | It snows at no other time than winter |
| It only snows here in winter. | It does nothing but snow here in winter |
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Register | The special meaning of a word in a specific professional field | "Instrument" in banking = a cheque or demand draft, not a musical instrument |
| Jargon | Technical words specific to a field — useful inside, confusing outside | Medical: "myocardial infarction" (heart attack). Legal: "sub judice". Stock market: "bear hammering" |
| Acronyms | Words made from initial letters — understood only in context | STD, PAN, PIN, NGO, IGNOU. "Radar" was originally an acronym: Radio Detection And Ranging |
| Barrier | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Short Attention Span | Listeners lose focus after a certain time — speaker must be concise | At a long seminar, audiences stop absorbing after 20 minutes. The best speakers are brief. Pearl S. Buck on Gandhi's death: "Another crucifixion" — two words that said everything. |
| Wrong Medium | Choosing the wrong channel for the message destroys impact | A presentation full of statistics without any charts or graphs is confusing and forgettable |
| Personal Bias | Emotional bias stops a person from listening objectively | A person who strongly dislikes someone will misinterpret even their neutral statements |
| Selectivity | "I see only what I want to see" — hearing the message that confirms your existing belief | A priest showed how alcohol kills an insect. A man said: "If we drink, the worms in our belly will die." — He heard what he wanted to hear. |
| Cynicism / Negativity | A negative mindset blocks openness to new ideas | Counsellor: "Avoid saying 'can't' and 'not'." Man: "Well, I can't see why not!" |
| Lack of Perceived Benefit | If the listener sees no benefit in the message, they disengage | A talk on a topic irrelevant to the audience loses their attention quickly |
Before communicating anything — in your career, studies, or personal life — ask yourself these six questions. They are called the Six Wh-s of effective communication:
The Six Wh-s are: Why, With Whom, How, What, Where, When. They are described as "complementary to each other and not mutually exclusive" — meaning you need all six, not just one or two. This is a frequently asked short-answer question in IGNOU exams. List all six with a brief explanation of each.
2-mark → 40–60 words | 4-mark → 100–150 words | 6-mark → 200–280 words
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