Explain four roles of non-verbal communication during an oral conversation. (8 marks)June/July 2020

Non-verbal communication plays a significant role during an oral conversation, as it can convey meaning and emotion beyond the words that are spoken. Some of the roles of non-verbal communication during an oral conversation include:

1. Clarifying and reinforcing the message: Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language can help to clarify and reinforce the message being conveyed, and can add meaning and context to the words being spoken.
2. Expressing emotion: Non-verbal communication can be particularly effective at expressing emotion, such as anger, happiness, sadness, or frustration.
3. Establishing rapport: Non-verbal communication can be used to establish rapport and build a connection with the other person, such as by maintaining eye contact, smiling, or nodding.
4. Creating a sense of credibility: Non-verbal cues such as confident posture, strong eye contact, and clear enunciation can create a sense of credibility and establish the speaker as a reliable source of information.
5. Influencing the listener: Non-verbal communication can be used to influence the listener’s perception of the speaker, such as by maintaining an open and friendly posture, or by using persuasive gestures.
6. Providing feedback: Non-verbal cues such as nodding or facial expressions can provide feedback to the speaker, indicating that the listener is engaged and interested in the conversation.
7. Regulating the conversation: Non-verbal communication can be used to regulate the flow of the conversation, such as by using body language to signal a desire to speak or to indicate that the speaker has finished their turn.
8. Maintaining social norms: Non-verbal communication can be used to maintain social norms and appropriate behavior during the conversation, such as by maintaining appropriate eye contact or by avoiding inappropriate gestures.