WHAT IS NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION (NVC) ?
Traditional studies of communication have focused almost exclusively on the verbal forms of the discourse. From the first encounter to their separation, two people examine each other with all their senses and exchange verbal and non-verbal messages. Non-verbal communication (NVC) clearly plays an important role in human interaction. The main reasons for studying the role of NVC in human interaction may be summarised as follows: • Intentionally or unintentionally, consciously or unconsciously, people send and receive non-verbal messages. • We make important decisions and judgements about people and situations based on these messages. • Peoples emotional state is best communicated through their non-verbal messages. • We make judgements about the verbal messages in light of accompanying non-verbal cues. • We use the non-verbal elements to present ourselves to people and to alter their thinking and behaviour. • NVC has a major role in facilitating cross-cultural interaction. Authors in the
