PARALINGUISTIC FEATURES
Definition:
Paralinguistics refers to the non-verbal cues and features that are utilized consciously and unconsciously while communicating. These aspects of communication significantly impact and aid better understanding the speaker's intention, emotion and attitude.
Paralinguistic elements are essential in various languages, including the English language. These elements can be divided into two major categories:
Non-verbal vocalizations: These include elements such as pitch, intonation, volume, speed of speech, tone, and vocal quality. Each of these elements significantly influences the message being conveyed.
Non-verbal behaviours: This includes facial expressions, gestures, body movements, and other typical physical cues that help indicate emotions and feelings during communication.
Significance of Paralinguistics in Communication
Enhancing understanding: Volume and speech, intonation, and other vocal elements add depth and clarity to verbal communication, further supporting the conveyed message
Contextualizing conversations: Paralinguistics helps shape the context of the interaction, enabling the listener to better comprehend the speaker's point of view and intentions.
Conveying emotions: Paralinguistic cues such as facial expressions help express emotions that are challenging to communicate through words alone
Regulating conversation flow: Non-verbal behaviours such as gestures and bodily cues facilitate smooth conversation, helping maintain a congenial atmosphere between the speaker and the listener
Paralinguistic Element
Gestures: Reinforce and emphasize spoken words
Body movements: Reflect levels of confidence or nervousness
Facial expressions: Express emotions and feelings
Vocal qualities (e.g., pitch, tone, volume): Indicate the speaker's attitude or emotion
Aspects of Paralinguistics in everyday life
Vocal qualities: These encompass pitch, tone, volume, and speech rate. Vocal qualities greatly influence the perception and interpretation of verbal messages, often indicating the speaker's emotions or attitudes.
Gestures: Hand and body movements can reinforce or emphasize particular ideas or messages being conveyed, while also providing meaning when words alone are insufficient.
Facial expressions: Conveying emotions and reacting to others through facial expressions helps provide better understanding and context for verbal messages.
Body language: Physical posture, movement, and proximity can provide insight into the speaker's level of confidence, comfort, and openness during communication.
Eye contact: Maintaining appropriate eye contact promotes engagement, signals attentiveness, and fosters trust during conversations.
For example, consider a job interview where the candidate's body language and posture are observed along with spoken responses. A relaxed and open posture may convey confidence, while averted eye contact might signal nervousness or lack of preparation.