18th Dec 2023
Verbal and non-verbal communication are both important ways for us to express ourselves. When we want to talk to someone, we usually use words or language to communicate. But sometimes, pictures and gestures can speak for themselves better than words. For example, imagine a group of people standing together, talking and gesturing with their hands. They might be telling a story or expressing excitement without needing to say a word.
However, there are situations where verbal communication is necessary. Let's say you want to share the latest features of a new electronic gadget you acquired. You might choose to tell your friend about it by holding your phone to your ear and pretending to talk. You could point out all the new, amazing features without even saying a word. Sometimes, using gestures and actions can convey information more effectively than words.
Now, let's imagine a different scenario. You come across a photograph taken in the center of a town. The photo shows buildings, stores, people, cars, and other details. If you want to describe the picture to your friend, it would take much longer than it took for the photo to convey the same amount of information. This is a case where verbal communication is needed to provide a detailed description.
On the other hand, non-verbal communication plays a significant role in our daily interactions. For example, imagine you haven't seen a friend in a long time and you happen to run into them at an airport. You can't go back and you don't want to shout across the terminal. Instead, you use gestures and facial expressions to communicate. You might point to different escalators and use hand gestures to indicate how many times you've tried calling them. Non-verbal communication allows us to convey emotions, thoughts, and experiences without relying solely on words.
In fact, studies have shown that about 60% of human communication is carried out through non-verbal means. Our eyes, facial expressions, gestures, and overall body language can convey what words sometimes cannot. So, even though language is our primary means of communication, it's important to recognize the power of non-verbal communication in understanding and connecting with others.
