English notes and reviews

Details

Category: Implicit and Explicit Signals

Explicit communication or verbal communication refers to   specific information conveyed in written or spoken words. The things we say or write are shared by means of words. Since it is explicit, the words are clearly and directly stated.

On the other hand, Implicit communication or non-verbal communication is a communication without words, only visual cues. You "give off" messages through gestures, body language, facial expressions, tone and vocal qualities, and eye contact. Thus the message is not directly stated but it is implied or hinted.

            The way you deliver your message is just as vital as the words you speak or write. There are many different types of implicit or non-verbal communication.

1. Facial expressions – The principal source of feedback. Facial expressions are universal such as expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are the same across culture.
2. Eye contact – The most expressive element in face-to-face communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things including interest, affection, hostility or attraction.
3. Body movements & posture – The way you stand, your posture and bearing also send messages.
4. Gestures – The movement that you make with a part of your body, especially your hands such as waving or pointing and etc.
5. Haptics – also known as “touching”. Examples such as handshake, tap on a shoulder, a hug, pat on the head or grip on your arm convey different messages.
6. Proxemics – refers to the amount of space that individuals naturally maintain between each other which communicates meanings.
7. Voice – The way in which a message is spoken is as important as what is said. The timing and pace, how loud you speak, tone and inflection can indicate anger, sarcasm, affection or confidence.

In public speaking, a speaker must be able to effectively use both verbal and nonverbal cues in delivering the speech in order to engage the interest and sustain the attention of the audience.

Verbal cues refer to the spoken text itself and to the spoken words, including the use of powerful or leading statements, questions, interjections, repetition, contrast, narration, anecdote, examples, humor, idioms, quoataions, or figurative language.

Nonverbal signals include eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, movement, and other forms of body languge.

Moreover, explicit is clear and direct. Basically anything someone tells you in clear language is explicit.

Implicit is implied , rather than directly stated. A facial expression can be an implicit signal. But, any hint you give indirectly is an implicit signal.