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7. Paralanguage
Nonverbal Communication: Paralanguage

Nonverbal communication can be defined as communication without the use of language. In other words, it consists of symbols that
are not words. Like verbal communication, nonverbal communication is used to share meanings with others. In this chapter and the
next two, we examine what counts as nonverbal communication.

Paralanguage

One fundamental category of nonverbal communication is PARALANGUAGE. Paralanguage is nonverbal communication that is in
the form of vocalizations that run alongside words in articulated verbal speech. Paralanguage includes sounds that are not words.
These sounds are called paralinguistic features. The prefix para means “alongside” or “parallel to,” so paralinguistic means “alongside
the words or language.” They are the nonverbal sounds and nonword characteristics of language. Paralinguistic features are vocal
features or cues. They encompass all of the oral aspects of sound except words themselves.

Paralinguistic features include the following vocal features or cues:

1. Volume - the degree of loudness or softness of voice:

Is the voice loud or quiet?

1. Pitch - the degree of highness or lowness of a speaking voice:

Is the voice high or low?

1. Rate or rhythm:

How rapidly or slowly one speaks; does the voice speak at a quick pace or at a slow pace?

1. Quality or texture: the unique resonance or texture of voice, such as huskiness, nasality, or creakiness

1. Hesitations: Nonverbal vocalizations or nonword sounds such as um, er, mm, mmh, erm, ahh, and the like

1. Pauses (or the absence of sound) are silent breaks between words.

1. Enunciation: whether or not the vocal organs (i.e. the mouth, tongue, and teeth) coordinate to produce words with clarity and
distinction so that they are understood by others; a person who mumbles has an enunciation problem.

1. Vocalizations such as laughing, coughing, crying, screaming, clearing one’s throat (whether genuine or fake)

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17/11/2023, 06:27 An Introduction to Communication: Paralanguage | ecampus-flsh
1. Silence: the lack of sound

The above-mentioned paralinguistic features are considered, along with language, as an important aspect of the messages that are
communicated. These vocal cues are important because they frequently convey information about a speaker’s characteristics (such
as age, gender, body type), emotional state, and personality characteristics.

For example, people often associate a high-pitched voice with someone who is female, younger, and/or smaller. The pitch of
someone’s voice can also be affected by emotions and moods. When people become frightened or excited, their pitch becomes
higher. You may visualize someone who uses a loud voice as being big or someone who speaks quickly as being nervous. People who
tend to speak slowly and deliberately may be perceived as being high-status individuals or as having high credibility. Personality
characteristics also have been related to vocal cues.

Vocal cues can help a public speaker establish credibility with an audience and clarify the message. Enunciation is especially
important in public speaking especially in front of a large audience. A rapid speaking rate may indicate that a speaker is nervous and
is attempting to conclude his or her speech. Variations in volume can be used to add emphasis. Pauses can be used in a public speech
to create dramatic effect and to arouse audience interest.

Silence serves as a type of nonverbal communication when we do not use words or utterances to convey meanings. Silence is a
complex behaviour and it can signal a variety of meanings. What meanings are assigned to a person’s silence? Have you experienced
the “silent treatment” from someone? Silence can be powerful because the person using silence may be refusing to engage in
communication at all. Likewise, we can use silence to regulate the flow of our conversations and, as with other types of nonverbal
communication, context plays an important role for interpreting the meaning of silence.

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