.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NON VERBAL CODE SYSTEMS (according to Burgoon)

1. Non-verbal codes tend to be analogic rather than digital.

-Non- verbal codes can either be digital or analogic. Discrete like numbers and letters are under digital
signals. On the other hand, it is known to be continuous for analogic signals because it forms a spectrum
of range just as like in volumes of sound and the brightness of the light. Therefore, even the vocal pitches
and facial expressions cannot be classified into just one category.

2. Nonverbal codes are iconicity or resemblance.

-Non-verbal codes can have same appearance with other things being symbolized. It is because ICONIC
CODES can depict the image or shape of something with your hands.

3. Nonverbal codes seem to elicit universal meaning.

-In any way, nonverbal codes must have universal meaning. This could help for all people to recognize it
in the same manner with one message to impart. Signals like threats and emotional displays are easily
acknowledged.

4. Nonverbal codes enable the simultaneous transmission of several messages.

-Nonverbal codes deliver continuous message at a time. It is through the parts of our body: face, hands,
voice. These are different messages that can be sent once but can also understood in different ways.
5. Nonverbal signals often evoke automatic response without thinking.

-There are some nonverbal signals that we automatically response even without thinking.

Examples: Stepping on a brake on a red light, blinking eyes when dirt or dust comes in our eyes, shut our
eyes when we sneeze.

6. Nonverbal signals are often emitted quite spontaneously, as when you let a nervous energy.

-Often times, we omitted nonverbal signal when we let a nervous energy into us. We tend to do a lot of
hand signals and body movements to release the tensions inside us.

CLASSIFICATION OF NON-VERBAL CODE SYSTEMS

According to the type of activity (according to BURGOON):

7 types:

1. KINESICS or bodily activity

- Body motions can be with the use of eye contact, facial expressions, gesture, and posture. Eye
contact is the way we look with people whom we are communicating. This shows paying attention. Facial
expressions are important in conveying message to show our emotions. Gestures are the movements of
our arms, hands, and fingers to describe or to give emphasis. Posture is the position of our body; it is
also a way of paying attention.

2. PROXEMICS or use of space

- The use of space also shows nonverbal communication. Intimate distance for private conversations
of close friends, Personal distance for casual conversations, Social distance for impersonal business, and
Public distance for public speeches.

3. Physical appearance

- Choice of clothing and personal grooming also communicate a message. The message you want to
send is determined on how you dress and groom yourself. We have our choice to choose which clothing
styles and grooming behaviors we want but it should be accordingly.

4. HAPTICS or use of touch

- We communicate through touch by the use of our hands. We can use it to hug slap, kiss, pat, hold,
embrace, stroke and tickle. With these, we also convey message in variety of meanings. Our touch can
be gentle and firm depending on how we do it for such purpose

5. VOCALICS or use of voice

- Vocalics is also known as paralanguage. This is a nonverbal sound of what we hear or how
something is being said. It has 4 vocals characteristics: pitch volume, rate and quality. The presence of
vocal interferences or extraneous sounds interrupts a conversation of fluent speech.

6. CHRONEMICS or use of time

- The use of time also conveys meaning. Edward Hall calls informal time including: duration, activity
and punctuality. Duration is the time regarded as appropriate for certain events or activities. Activity
refers to what people perceive should be done in a given time period. Punctuality is the extent to which
one adheres strictly to the appointed or regular time.

7. ARTIFACTS or use of objects

- Object language refers to the meanings attributed to objects with we surround ourselves. It says
something about us because it represent the choices we make.