When we communicate, the words we use are only part of the story. A huge portion of our message is conveyed not by what we say, but by how we say it. This is the world of non-verba
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
When we communicate, the words we use are only part of the story. A huge portion of our message is conveyed not by what we say, but by how we say it. This is the world of non-verbal communication—the rich and complex language of gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice. This silent language, often called body language, can support, contradict, or completely replace our spoken words. Understanding the basics of non-verbal communication can make you a more perceptive listener and a more effective communicator.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define non-verbal communication and explain its importance.
- Identify the key channels of body language, such as facial expressions and gestures.
- Understand the role of paralanguage (tone of voice) in communication.
- Analyse how non-verbal cues can reveal a person's true feelings.
- Recognise that the meaning of body language can vary significantly across cultures.
More Than Just Words
Studies have shown that in a typical face-to-face conversation, a surprisingly small percentage of the overall message is conveyed by the words themselves. The majority of the emotional meaning comes from non-verbal cues. Imagine a friend tells you, "I'm fine," but their shoulders are slumped, they are avoiding eye contact, and their voice is flat. Which message do you believe: their words or their body language? Almost certainly, you will trust the non-verbal cues. This is because body language is often perceived as being more honest than our words. While we can carefully choose what we say, our non-verbal signals are often subconscious and can betray our true feelings.
Key Channels of Body Language
Non-verbal communication is a broad category that includes many different channels. Here are some of the most important ones: …