Oral Communication S.T.E.M.
1-A
PARALANGUAGE-is the area of non-verbal communication that emphasizes body language and voice
nuances as means of expressing thoughts and feelings. Edward T. Hall, the cultural anthropologist is the one
who coined this term in 1963, he defined proxemics as "the interrelated observations and theories of humans
use of space as a specialized elaboration of culture“.
Types of Paralanguage:
Proxemics - is the study of human use of space and the effects that population density has on
behavior, communication, and social interaction. Hall described the interpersonal distances of a person
(the relative distances between people) in four zones: intimate space, personal space, social space, and
public space.
Human/Impersonal Distances
Intimate distance -the space for embracing, touching or whispering, and it’s within in your position.
1.5 ft (0.45 m)
Personal distance -a space for interactions among good friends or family. 4 ft (1.2 m)
Social distance –a space for interactions among acquaintances. 12 ft (3.6 m)
Public distance -space used for public speaking, and it’s the farthest Human Distance among the group.
25 ft (7.6 m)
Human Territory
Public territory - a place where one may freely enter. This type of territory is rarely in the constant
control of just one person. However, people might come to temporarily own areas of public territory.
Interactional territory - a place where people congregate informally.
Home territory - a place where people continuously have control over their individual territory.
Body territory - the space immediately surrounding us.
Chronemics- is the study of the role of time in communication.
Monochronic time - Means that things are done one at a time and time is segmented into precise,
small units. Under this system time is scheduled, arranged and [Link] United States is
considered a monochronic society. This perception of time is learned and rooted in the Industrial
Revolution, where “factory life required the labor force to be on hand and in place at an appointed
hour”.
Polychronic Time - Several things can be done at once, and a more fluid approach is taken to
scheduling time.
Examples of polychronic behaviors include: “Cooking food while watching television or browsing the
internet while sitting in meetings”.
Haptic Communication - is a form of nonverbal communication and the way by which people and
animals communicate via touching.
Personal Appearance - is extremely important in communication. First impressions are usually made in
the first 20 seconds of meeting someone, and personal appearance is part of that. Clothes should be
neat and clean, and should hide any tattoos. Body should be clean, hair combed, etc.
Facial Expression - is one or more motions or positions of the muscles beneath the skin of the face.
-reflect what a person is thinking or feeling inside.
Gesture - is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal communication in which
visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with,
speech. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body.
Posture - conveys information about: Interpersonal relations. Personality traits such as confidence,
submissiveness, and openness.
Colors - is a powerful and important communication tool, and it is tied to religious, cultural, political
and social influences.