Body language

Two women talking to each other. Notice the woman in blue has an arm next to her body, the other uses hers to gesticulate; both are signs of body language.

Body language is a type of nonverbal communication in which physical behaviors, as opposed to words, are used to express or convey information. Such behavior includes facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. Although body language is an important part of communication, most of it happens without conscious awareness. In social communication, body language often complements verbal communication. Nonverbal communication has a significant impact on doctor-patient relationships, as it affects how open patients are with their doctor.

As an unstructured, ungrammatical, and broadly-interpreted form of communication, body language is not a form of language.^[1] It differs from sign languages, which are true languages with complex grammar systems and exhibiting the fundamental properties considered to exist in all languages.^[2]^[3]

Some researchers conclude that nonverbal communication accounts for the majority of information transmitted during interpersonal interactions.^[4] It helps to establish the relationship between two people and regulates interaction, yet it can be ambiguous. The interpretation of body language tends to vary in different cultural contexts. Within a society, consensus exists regarding the accepted understandings and interpretations of specific behaviors. However, controversy exists on whether body language is universal. The study of body language is also known as kinesics.

The rise of different technologies has led to humans adapting to non-face-to-face communication, for example, while texting, it can challenge to decode the messages because body language cues like tone and eye contact are not present. With the introduction of texting, humans have adapted to using new ways to demonstrate body language cues, for example, the use of emoticons.^[5]

^ Marschark, Mark (1993). Psychological Development of Deaf Children. Oxford University Press. p. 27. ISBN 0-19-506899-8.
^ Klimt, Edward S.; & Belling, Ursula. (1979). The signs of language. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674807952.
^ Candler, Wendy; & Lille-Martin, Diane. (2006). Sign Language and Linguistic Universals.: Cambridge University Press.
^ Onsager, Mark. "Understanding the Importance of Non-Verbal Communication", Body Language Dictionary Archived 2017-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, New York, 19 May 2014. Retrieved on 26 October 2014.
^ "Nonverbal communication | Description, History, Characteristics, & Variations | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2024-12-10.

[1] Marschark, Mark (1993). Psychological Development of Deaf Children. Oxford University Press. p. 27. ISBN 0-19-506899-8.

[2] Klimt, Edward S.; & Belling, Ursula. (1979). The signs of language. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674807952.

[3] Candler, Wendy; & Lille-Martin, Diane. (2006). Sign Language and Linguistic Universals.: Cambridge University Press.

[4] Onsager, Mark. "Understanding the Importance of Non-Verbal Communication", Body Language Dictionary Archived 2017-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, New York, 19 May 2014. Retrieved on 26 October 2014.

[5] "Nonverbal communication | Description, History, Characteristics, & Variations | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-10-22. Retrieved 2024-12-10.

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