9/16/22, 12:40 PM Verbal and Nonverbal Communication and Their Functions-3: Group 42 GE-PC - PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication and Their

Functions-3

Every time you send a message, you expect it to be understood exactly as you intended it to be. If this happens, the process of sharing
ideas is successful. However, it does not happen at all times. The communicators’ choice of communicating ideas, either verbally or
nonverbally, affects the clarity of the message. Knowing more about these choices can help one decide on what to use.

 Verbal communication is the use of sounds and words to impart one’s thoughts or feelings. Though the concept encompasses both
vocal (spoken words) and nonvocal (e.g., writing, sign language), the focus is on the former.

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Largely associated with oral communication, it has these succeeding five functions gleaned from several sources (Flores, 2016;
“Functions of Communication”, 2016; Nuss, 2014; Remoral, 2017; & Tenedero, 2016).

1. Regulation (Control)

The spoken language is used to control one’s or other people’s behavior or activities. For example, a teacher who gives students
instructions on what to do says, “Raise your hand if you have any questions.”

2. Social Interaction

A person speaks to create relationships, form associations, develop intimacy, and maintain bonds and connections with other people. A
colleague encouraging a fellow employee by saying, “Don’t worry. You can do this,” can be a case of starting a friendlier camaraderie.

3. Motivation

This function concerns expressing one’s desires, goals, inclinations, choices, preferences, likes and dislikes, and needs and wants.
Stating “I’d like to become a teacher” manifests an aspiration.

4. Information

Verbal communication plays a major role in disseminating information whether by asking for or giving directions, instruction, or ideas. 

5. Emotional expression

One communicates orally to show one’s feelings and emotions. A person saying “I’m hurt” is voicing out what he or she feels.

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Nonverbal communication, which is as important as verbal communication, is the conveyance of meaning by means of body language
(e.g., gestures, facial expression, eye contact, posture) or paralanguage (e.g., pitch, volume, speaking rate) instead of spoken or
written words. 

Specific classifications of nonverbals include: proxemics (space), chronemics (time), oculesics (eye movement), haptics (touch),
kinesics (body movements, gestures, facial expressions), objectics (clothing, ornaments, jewelry, other artifacts), vocalics (voice),
olfactorics (smell), colorics (colors), pictics (pictures), iconics  (signs/symbols).

Nonverbals have seven functions culled from Hahn and Paynton (2016) and “Communication in the real world: An introduction to
communication studies” (2016, Chapter 4).

1. To replace (Replacement)

Actions can replace or substitute speech. For instance, one can shrug shoulders instead of saying “I don’t know” and wave hands
instead of saying goodbye. It is foremost then that one employs nonverbal forms of communication with recognizable and nearly
universal meanings to avoid confusion. Access/Watch this video on 'Gestures around the world" (
Gestures Around the World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCo3wSGYRbQ&ab_channel=TheWorldisOurThing)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCo3wSGYRbQ&ab_channel=TheWorldisOurThing)
)  for additional information.

2. To repeat (Repetition)

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Gestures duplicate and reinforce one’s message. Nonverbal communication can either occur simultaneously with the verbal or follow
and repeat the word said. For example, the act of nodding while saying yes is a restatement, and so does pointing while giving
directions.  Like replacement function, consistency in the meaning of both verbal and nonverbal is important.  

3. To complement (Complementation)

This nonverbal enhances and adds nuance to the meaning of a verbal message. By way of illustration, one rubs one’s stomach when
feeling hungry or says “I passed the test” with a sarcastic tone. However, gestures that aim to complement cannot be used alone or
else they may be misinterpreted.

4. To accent (Accentuation)

To accent is to emphasize certain parts of the verbal intent or the utterance. It is often done by increasing voice volume, prolonging a
word, moving forward, and even widening the eyes. If the “very” in the line “I’m VERY angry with you” is emphasized, it is likely louder.
(Some authors regard repetition, complementation, and accentuation as part of one function - reinforcement.)

5. To regulate (Regulation)

Nonverbals can be used to control the flow of conversations.  For instance, to signal the beginning of an interaction, one must face the
person, move closer, or look at him or her directly.  Conversely, looking at one’s watch repeatedly is an indication that he/she has to go,
and the other person must stop talking.

6. To contradict (Contradiction)

A contradiction occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages contradict each other. Saying “I’m all right” with a frown is an example of
nonverbal cues contradicting verbal statements.

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7. To deceive (Deception)

Although this purpose is not encouraged, nonverbal signals can be utilized to mislead the listener. Gestures and actions supplement
the message, therefore making it believable. Remarks such as “I like it” as a compliment, though not sincere, may sound convincing if
they are said with eagerness and a smile.

According to Albert Mehrabian, a psychologist known for his pioneering work on nonverbal communication, when words and body
language contradict, one is inclined to believe the latter (Belludi, 2008). If this takes place, movements or gestures may become
barriers to a successful exchange of ideas. Hence, a harmony between the verbal and the nonverbal is crucial in attaining effective
communication.

The following illustration reinforces the idea purported by Mehrabian.

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Sources of the Images:

Colton, J. (2015). Verbal vs. nonverbal communication. Retrieved from https://openavenuetherapy.com/verbal-vs-nonverbal-communication/

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication. (2016). Retrieved from http://chinnkristina.blogspot.com/2016/05/verbal-and-nonverbal-communication.html

(http://chinnkristina.blogspot.com/2016/05/verbal-and-nonverbal-communication.html)

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