Ability to communicate is God’s gift to living beings .All earthly creatures namely humans, flora and fauna and even the elements of Nature communicate with each other in their own way.

Somehow the phenomenon is unique when we talk of human beings. They alone are endowed with a ‘supreme power’ called human brain. The brain of humans can not only think and feel but is able to ‘verbalize’ thoughts and feelings, which get further communicated through the spoken or written form in words.
It is relevant here to get acquainted with the various forms or types of communication.

Types of Communication
•    Communication can be Non-Verbal (without using words through body language or signs)
•    It can be Verbal (using words)
•    It can be spoken or written.
•    It can be informal, i.e. personal, with family members or friends.
•    It can be formal, i.e. official or commercial.

Non Verbal
- Non-Verbal communication or body language consists of the Voluntary or Involuntary movement of our body parts right from head to toe.
- Our appearance in general including the way we stand, sit, hold or carry ourselves.
- Our facial expressions, such as a look of fear, anger, delight, dejection or excitement, all are powerful indicators of the thoughts crossing our mind.

Gestures
Movement of our hands and limbs conveys innumerable messages.
•    We consciously or unconsciously use our hands a lot to express ourselves.
•    We enforce, emphasize and explain using, our limbs.
•    Using index finger to indicate, admonish or to warn is the most common example.

Sign Language

Sign language originated as the first tool of communication in the prehistoric period. With time it developed as a powerful medium of communication among the Deaf and Dumb. This scientifically formulated system of communication, is highly effective and is universally recognized.

Mannerism
All kinds of physical mannerism, natural or cultivated also form a part of our body language. We must therefore pay specific attention to this part of our personality.

•    Unwarranted shrug of shoulders, excessive use of hands while talking, contorting one’s features or even smiling can sometimes damage communication by sending out wrong signals.

•    Worst among these is aping others mannerism, which not only appears ridiculous but also irritates the onlooker.

Verbal communication

From sign language to words is the most amazing journey of Mankind. The progress of civilization happened on the wheels of communication. In other words communication and civilization are so integral to each other that one is unimaginable without the other.

•    Sounds developed into words and Language was born.

•    Knowledge traveled through space and time via speech and written form.

•    Verbal expression is the most excusive privilege of human specie. Only man can speak ‘words’. All other creatures only produce sounds.

•    Gradually a system of spoken or phonetic symbols was developed specifically for a group of humans.

•    Spoken symbols further acquired written form called alphabet. Thus language so far only spoken could also be written. The written form of language is called script.

•    Many languages and many scripts came into being as humankind spread and settled into different parts of the world.

CONCLUSION

Communication is power. It is the lifeblood coursing through the veins of civilization. All it’s forms non-verbal, verbal, spoken or written, need to be nurtured as skills that need constant honing. Very few are lucky enough, to be born with innate communication skills-rest all have to keep learning as they proceed along life. The best thing about communication is that it can be cultivated through education and practice. Only the effort must be constant and sincere.

Ranjna Vedhera

Also Read :

Understanding Communication
Communication plays a pivotal role in all walks of human life .In other words life revolves around communication as the two originate, grow and evolve side by side.

Communication – A Process
A message forms the NUCLEUS of any communication. The message travels from the sender to the receiver through a series of actions combining to form the communication process…. Read More