#89, Article: ‘Language and Body Language’ by V. Radhika

V. Radhika works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, Vinayaka Missions University, Paiyanoor, Chennai.

Language is categorized as spoken language and written language. Spoken language is mostly different from the written language. The function of the language is for communicating the common experience of human beings. Apart from verbal communication, non-verbal communication is also used effectively to communicate one’s emotions. Mostly oral communication will end in boredom. To be clear and economical body language helps immensely to make our communication interesting. Gestures came under non-verbal communication. It exposes one’s inner feelings. It is normally known as the body language. All parts of the body such as eyes, head, arms, legs etc. involve in communication. It helps to develop a better rapport.

Introduction

What is language? Language is only humane. The sounds and the words used for communicating one’s feelings and ideas are known as language. It is used to express our thoughts by modulating the sounds. Every language has its importance. Language has some misconceptions that languages are logical. But especially in English there is no logic between the words spelt and pronounced. The main function of the language is for communicating the common experience of human beings.

Types of language

Language is categorized as spoken language and written language. Spoken language is mostly different from the written language. We should follow certain rules and formalities in written language. But we do not follow any of the rules in speaking the language. It is only for the purpose of communication.

“A good communicator knows what to speak, how to speak, when to speak, where to speak and why to speak.” Apart from verbal communication, non-verbal communication is also used effectively to communicate one’s ideas and intentions.

“Writing is words carved on rocks, speaking is words written in the air”. We can communicate our feelings, ideas or pieces of message through sounds.

“Action speaks louder than words”. Mostly oral communication will occasionally be boring and ambiguous. To be intelligible, clear, economical and encouraging body language is found to be apt. Non-verbal communication is mostly appreciated now-a-days. We can express our feelings, ideas and messages by using parts of our body. Gestures are known as non-verbal communication. Sign is also known as gestures. Iconic, beats and deictic are the types of gestures. We can understand other’s emotions explicitly from their expressions. Non-verbal communication is known as ‘Body Language’. All organs of the body involve in it.

Head: It is the first and foremost part in our body to play with all. It plays a vital role in the body language. The way in which we look at others can clearly be expressed by slight movements of the head.

• Nodding sideways from left to right horizontally shows disapproval and shows our negative mode
• Nodding up and down slightly in vertical position shows friendliness and interesting     receptive mode.
• Keeping head level both vertically and horizontally when we want to feel confident or assured.
• Keeping head in straight position shows authoritative.

Eyes: These are the most important part to deal with others. Maintaining a good eye contact shows respect and interesting conversation. But it provides self confidence. So we should be careful with eye contact at that moment.

• More eye contact leads to more attentive.
• Less eye contact leads to lacking interest
• When we speak to others, fix our eye either into the eyes of the listener or at the tip of their nose or at their forehead.

Posture: This is the third important thing to master in body language. It makes us feel good almost instantly. Our standing position focuses about our character and our sitting position focuses about our inner feelings such as nervous or uncomfortable etc.

Hands: Hand gestures are so numerous. It gives away the clues as to how we are open and receptive to others. Signs and gestures involve the use of the hands. They are rather different gestures mostly used while speaking also. Hands movements accompany speech but not typically used as a way of speaking.

• Shaking hands upright and vertical conveys equality.
• When we want to show our disapproval keep our arms crossing.
• When we want to show friendliness shaking hands straightly and firmly.

Legs: Legs are the hardest bits of our body to control consciously. Best to keep them as still as possible in most situations, especially at interviews or in front of our higher authorities.

• Tend move around a lot, shows nervous, stressed and deceptive.
• Crossed legs shows comfort, relaxation and defensive.

Face: Facial expression conveys more than other parts of the body.” Face is the index of the mind”.

• when we meet others, smile on our face shows interest to meet them
• when we want to avoid some one, just turn our face to opposite side, shows negative feelings

Just a smile solves many problems. A broad smile expresses our comfortable position during communication.

Conclusion

Body language speaks about the mental attitude and the physical fitness of the person. It gives better understanding of people and their intention. It develops a better raport than a long conversation or debate.

Reference:

• The Study of Language by  George Yule III edition
• Corvallis (2002)
• http://www.google.com
• http://www.yahoo.com.

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