In communication, we use three main languages: verbal (i.e., speech), non-verbal (i.e., body movement), and the language of emotions. What do we need to do to manage these languages? For the verbal language, it is important to develop voice, rhetoric, intelligence, and expand your vocabulary and horizons. Develop in your own direction. For non-verbal language, you need to develop your body. In particular, hands and fingers. In addition, learn sign language and analyze your gestures. Turn gestures that reinforce the meanings of your words into a skill. For the language of emotions, it is important to study, recognize, and identify emotions, as well as the emotions of other people – to develop emotional intelligence.
Exceptional understanding and control of these three communication tools gives us the ability to manage the situation and achieve our goals.
Sign language, as well as the language of emotions, was used by humans before verbal language. However, the latter did not replace the previous languages, but rather complemented them for more effective communication between one person and another, as well as between a person and society.
Now I’m going to tell you about one experiment and one study about non-verbal language in animals. First of all, I want to point out that almost all animals use sign language.
This is most clearly manifested in monkeys, whom scientists have tried to teach verbal speech, but without success, because they have a different structure of the speech apparatus and control centers in the brain. But monkey sign language is perfectly developed. And the experiment to teach monkeys the sign language alphabet was a success.
In 1965, the University of Nevada (USA) began an experiment to teach sign language to the chimpanzee Washoe. At first, she was taught by humans, and then she just watched people and learned gestures on her own. By the end of the experiment, Washoe learned about 350 gestures and learned to use them on her own, and passed them on to her children.
This experiment shows two things: people, like animals, use sign language as one of the main languages. Also, people, like animals, learn by observing each other’s nonverbal behavior. Nonverbal language is a source of information for both animals and humans. Therefore, this language needs to be studied, analyzed, and consciously used.
And one more study illustrating the above. Scientists from the University of Salford in Manchester identified 19 different gestures used by dogs to communicate with people. Babies use a similar language to interact with their parents. These are called reference gestures. They are used by babies to communicate with their parents, and when they grow up, they continue to use this language of gestures and emotions, but in a different way.
This data tells us that sign language and emotions are the original languages, and verbal language is the result of evolutionary intellectual activity. It has led to the formation of the appropriate speech apparatus and the development of separate brain areas for this function.
Now let’s take a closer look at the types of gestures. We all use sign language unconsciously, and our task is to consciously control and manage it to the best of our ability. And this is possible if you have enough knowledge, desire, and practice, as a result of which a conscious nonverbal technique becomes a skill.
To begin with, let’s define what types of gestures exist and what information they convey. Closed gestures are hands, feet, and head. Fine motor skills convey the speaker’s excitement. Doubt is expressed in sluggish gestures, uncertain posture, poor posture, and running eyes. Open – no clamps, but without conveying meaning.
Open meaningful – gestures that convey messages all the time. They are readable, but because there are so many of them, their effectiveness – an indicator of their understanding – is low. Open, meaningful, and appropriate gestures imply a perfect mastery of non-verbal techniques. Such gestures are used exclusively with meaning, and only when they are needed to reinforce their messages.
How to develop sign language? To expand on this topic, let’s talk more about the types of gestures. I have already emphasized that we all use sign language unconsciously. Our task is to do it consciously, to control and manage gestures as much as possible. And this is possible if you have enough knowledge, desire, and practice to make conscious nonverbal technique a skill.
Take care of physical fitness – an indicator of confidence, ease and clarity in non-verbal technique. Do exercises for hands, fingers, as well as speech exercises for voice and speech, as well as small physical exercises that develop plasticity, flexibility and strength. Dance, pantomime, acrobatics, and gymnastics also contribute to physical development. Regular training in front of a mirror with maximum use of meaningful gestures is also effective.
At the stage of training or rehearsal, work with the text on words and expressions that can be emphasized with appropriate gestures. Bring gestures to automation in everyday life. They should also be automated in public speaking or during important negotiations. Analyze your nonverbal technique, identify mistakes, and correct them in your next speeches.