nonverbal communication in south africa

Nonverbal communication is the transmission of information with physical cues such as body language, hand gestures, and eye contact. Nonverbal communication means conveying information without using words. The Nigerian communication system is faced with some challenges in the contemporary world. Codes of general conduct, politeness, or social harmony may influence the public display of emotions. In South Africa, youll usually see the younger generation using these gestures. This is another popular gesture in South Africa thats well-known in most Western countries. As with other aspects of communication, norms for nonverbal communication vary from country to country and also among cultures within a particular country. Nonverbal Communication and Culture As with other aspects of communication, norms for nonverbal communication vary from country to country and also among cultures within a particular country. Next time you are having a conversation with someone, notice how much of the content is communicated without words. In some situations, making eye contact communicates that one is paying attention. The gestures are rooted in popular heavy metal and rap culture, and the meaning is usually benevolent, such as wishing peace or warding off evil. 6. 0000133600 00000 n , indicating that the other person is a cuckold, that is, that his wife is cheating on him (Cotton, 2013). EPP2601 ASSIGNMENT 01 2023 1 1. Hope you will pass easily.. The squeezes and up-and-down shakes used during handshakes are often called pumps, and the number of pumps used in a handshake also varies among cultures. Decoding is the interpretation of information from received sensations from previous experiences. Case study: The 2021 July unrest saga During the period 9 to 17 July 2021, South Africa experienced violent protests and socio-political unrests which were characterised by widespread violent protests, rioting and looting of shops and businesses, and the destruction of public facilities and private property in parts of KZN. This is one of the most common sources of conflict between the two speech communities. This is yet another gesture in South Africa thats so eloquent and universally understood that you dont have to say anything to make yourself clear. The first official school in South Africa, called the South African College Schools, or SACS, as it is still known, South Africa is known for its delicious cuisine, and many of our chefs are rated among the best in the world. In fact, it may be that expectations for foreigners in this regard are different than they are for natives. Eye contact, for example, which is encouraged in North America, may have ambiguous meaning or be considered disrespectful in certain high-context cultures. Because the masculine speech community engages with verbal communication in a less spontaneous and moreinstrumental talkfashion, it is no surprise that its members also use verbal communication in a more competitive mannerengaging in verbal and paralanguage tactics designed to one-up their conversation partners, especially during a disagreement. South African nonverbal gestures vary from location and age. This South African gesture has two meanings: crazy or clever. In contrast, nonverbal communication refers to unspoken ways of expressing meaning, such as gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice. According to the theory, because individualistic cultures encourage and reward self-expression, individuals in those cultures are free to express fully and instinctively their feelings, whether they be positive or negative. Attention is then given to the nature of South African society and the implications of culture and group membership in determining intergroup communication. 0000013144 00000 n Although no word is used in non-verbal . In other words, high-context communicators attach great importance to everything that surrounds the explicit message, including interpersonal relationships, non-verbal cues, and physical and social settings. The First Historians and Teachers. NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION. Back slapping, firm handshakes (often quite lengthy) are common and it can be seen as a sign of aloofness if the foreign visitor backs away from this approach. As the studies involved people from industrialized countries, who may have learned to interpret faces from mass media, other studies were conducted among tribal groups in New Guinea, which came to similar results (Ekman & Friesen, 1971). Also important are the cultural norms that vary from country to country or ethnicity to ethnicity. Consider the people you know who are fluent in languages, but do not get along very well with others from different cultures. Julia Wood (2009) discusses the differences in how men and women use language by theorizing that they adopt different speech communities. Therefore, its important to know typical gestures as theyre used by Afrikaans-speaking people, as well as the rude gestures in South Africa. Communication: Oral and Nonverbal Traditions. This gesture is also used as a non-verbal cue to express commiseration when experiencing (or expecting) an uncomfortable situation. It can even be called one of the South African gestures of respect. Some Native American nations teach that people should avoid eye contact with elders, teachers, and other people with status. Direct eye contact is very important, if you do not have eye contact with another person in a social or business setting it is seen as disrespectful. Spice up your conversation with this gesture when someone mentions a lot of money or something expensive. Guffey, D. Lowey, K. Rhodes, K., & P. Rogin. How To Say Hello in Afrikaans Like a Native Speaker! While this would seem very invasive and rude to northern Europeans and US Americans, it is a nonverbal norm in Italian culture and may be the only way to get to contribute to a conversation (Pease & Pease, 2004). Depending on your personal needs, these will unlock functions such as a personal tutor, available via text nearly 24/7, or access to knowledgeable, energetic hosts who are native Afrikaans speakers. Two such universal signals are the eyebrow flash of recognition when we see someone we know and the open hand and the palm up gesture that signals a person would like something or needs help (Martin & Nakayama, 2010). Whites considered themselves superior. Essentials of Business Culture online courses, Comprehensive guides on doing business in 40+ countries, Tailored development pathway with a personalised learning journey, In-depth courses on key international destinations, Working in and Leading Virtual Teams online courses, Keith Warburton 2023, All rights reserved Instead of written or oral words, it relies on various non-verbal cues like physical movements, tasks, colors, signs, symbols, signals charts, etc. Translation: Ouch! There is a contradiction at the heart of Korean communication patterns which is that, like the Japanese, Koreans want to preserve harmony and promote good relations but at the same time they have a tendency to become emotional if they feel that things are not going their way. Because directness may be thought of as disrespectful, discussions in high-context cultures can be circuitous, circling key issues rather than addressing them head-on. 0000002784 00000 n In Italy, that gesture is well-known, but it doesnt signal fan enthusiasm or lets rock. Welcome to the Department of Communication Science's homepage. Everyone will understand what you mean! The form of communication that occurs without using words is understood as Non-Verbal Communication. In this case, even though we were also Americans, we were bothered by the lack of cultural awareness being exhibited by the other Americans at the restaurant. Available from: ERIC. Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. We provide training to global corporations in live classroom-based formats, through webinars and also through our cultural awareness digital learning hub, Global Business Compass. Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that specia Planning to visit South Africa any time soon? In other cultures, including many in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, messages are delivered through more indirect and non-verbal means. 1. Often, these behaviors may not be consciously motivated by competition; rather it is a product of how the community views the purpose and value of talkas a means by which goals are achieved. In all over 1.2 billion people speak one or more varieties of Chinese. Everyone communicates with their entire body, not just with what they say. communication on both local and transnational levels. Which is your favorite gesture? Or, on your own time, learn with the help of these Afrikaans vocabulary lists. Translation: Look at that Alfa 4C!, Person 2: *Uses this rubbing gesture. Our mission is to help clients work cross-border more effectively in an increasingly complex global environment. Another gesture, crossing fingers, is similar but not completely identical in meaning. While you'd need to study it for years to feel completely at ease, there are several simple rules that will help prevent making cultural mistakes. Criticism, exclusion of others, and outdoing the competition are not acceptable behavior. This means more verbal communication is needed. New York: Holt, Rinehart . As Dr. Matsumoto points out, the scientific data on most all psychological processes, attributes and behaviors shows that the cultural differences among us are much smaller than our individual differences. The 5 roles of nonverbal communication are: complementary, contradictory, accenting, repetition, and substitution. Thus, there is less pressure in these cultures for members to adjust displays of emotion according to the status of another person. For this reason, there is wide room for miscommunication when they interact with people from the feminine speech community (Wood, 2012). The patterns weve identified in nonverbal behavior should be seen as examples not as absolutes. The goal is communication itself as girls strive to create an inclusive environment. Although a bewildering array of languages and dialects are spoken within South Africa the common business language is English and most people you meet in any international business setting will speak the language although often with a strong accent which can be difficult to follow on occasion. Try it now by pretending you hit your finger with a hammer. 0000008333 00000 n This makes it difficult for white employers who think not making eye contact means they are lying or have something to hide. 0000007138 00000 n You need to be sensitive in your use of this gesture, or you could offend someone. This makes Afrikaans lessons about body language an essential aspect of your learning journey. Lets say your boss calls you to her office, hands you your evaluation report, and says, I am speechless. Since the report is in a tightly sealed envelope and your boss is temporarily robbed of speech, you will look for non-verbal clues (from her face, gestures, posture, tone of voice) about your fate. While men may not touch each other or be in close proximity when communicating as much as women, its often acceptable to chest bump a teammate or give him a slap on the buttocks in an athletic competition. Cultural norms for personal space vary much more than some other nonverbal communication channels such as facial expressions, which have more universal similarity and recognizability. Pay attention to nonverbal communication. Another time, at a restaurant in Argentina, I was disturbed, as were the others dining around me, by a loud table of Americans seated on the other side of the dining area. This gesture in South Africa is used most commonly to indicate commiseration or empathy with someone when theyre experiencing physical pain or a situation of discomfort. Using that gesture to point at people is in some cultures extremely rude. Because of this, bowing is the preferred nonverbal greeting over handshaking. The focus falls first on the state of the discipline and issues related to teaching and research. In terms of communicating emotions, competent communicators know when it is appropriate to express emotions and when more self-regulation is needed. Relationships & Communication. Website by Pivotal Marketing, According to the general rule, a Russian company which pays , Portugal: a country full of energy that welcomes both citizens , Since 2016, the Mexican government has been working in the . Most people like pleasant people and a simple smile goes a long way. Well, there you have the gesture! In some contexts in the US, such as in urban areas among teens and young adults, looking directly at someone can be seen as a provocation, reflected in the term mad-dogging (Remland et al., 2015). High power distance cultures tend also to be labeled collectivistic; that would include most Middle-Eastern, Latin American, African and southern European countries. Iconographic Channels of Communication: Objectified Devices, Florals, Plants and Crops. The goal is to understand the role of culture in creating a set of norms and practices that are influenced by gender performance. J.A. To be a part of a gendered speech community does not imply that you identify as that gender, or that you perform that gender role on a routine basis. Example: You might speak quickly if you are excited about something. Herring (1990) presented that nonverbal communication was really part of communication itself. [5]. In both pluralistic societies and in cross-cultural encounters, being mindful of variations in this area is important. 205 0 obj <> endobj xref 205 48 0000000016 00000 n Rather than learning a list of rules for cultural variations in nonverbal cues, it is better to develop more general knowledge about how nonverbal norms vary based on cultural values and to view this knowledge as tools that can be adapted for use in many different cultural contexts. On the other hand, those in collectivistic cultures are bound by conventions of the collective good and social harmony to regulate their expression of emotion when not alone. When you enroll, you can expect to receive many benefits, including different membership options. Cross Cultural Report on South Africa Abhik Tushar Das . In an intercultural context, when our interlocutors don't share our linguistic and cultural backgrounds, non-verbal communication takes on a particularly poignant role. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding. Next: Chapter 5: Communication in Relationships, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, Tend to prefer indirect verbal interaction, Tend to understand meaning at one level only, Tend to understand meanings embedded at many sociocultural levels, Are generally less proficient in reading nonverbal cues, Are generally more proficient in reading nonverbal cues, Communication in highly structured messages, provide details, stress literal meaning, Communication is simple, sometimes ambiguous, messages; understand visual messages readily. Sources. Crossing fingers has another, more nefarious meaning, also based on superstition. However, the palm is turned inward, and usually, the complete gesture involves shoving both fists upward from the waist. Key information is conveyed via context. Its easier to have effective intercultural interactions - even without knowing the language - when you are skilled in non-verbal communication. Most hand gestures used by Afrikaans-speaking South Africans are fairly well-known in most Western cultures. extinction because of the adoption of the language and style of communication of the colonial masters as. Nora Dressers book,Multicultural Matters(2005), chronicles how Korean-American shopkeepers, who did not make eye contact with their customers, were perceived as disrespectful, something contributing to the open confrontation taking place in US urban centers between some Asians and African-Americans. A better understanding of this type of communication may lead people to develop stronger relationships with others. It helps us to share our emotions, agreements and disagreements, thus, helping us to. The context and the person will determine our reaction. Speaking to someone while your hands are in your pockets. If youre betting or gambling, or if you wish good luck for yourself, simply cross your fingers and slightly raise your hands. That is the reason why one is unlikely to find bookshelves or altars at the feet of the bed or against or on the wall facing the feet of the bed. South Africans are transactional and do not need to establish long-standing personal relationships before conducting business. European Americans, on the other hand, may view the direct eye gaze during speaking as confrontational or aggressive (Ting-Toomey, 1999, p.126). 0000142369 00000 n Nonverbal communication is also used to influence others and regulate conversational flow. 0000050995 00000 n 2. Eye contact. Since its establishment in 1969, the Department of Communication Science of the University of South Africa has grown considerably and distinguished itself as a dynamic and credible leader in the field of communication science teaching. Also get access to downloadable apps and many other tools you can use on your Android or IOS phone, tablet, or laptopeverywhere and anywhere! As human beings we communicate not only verbally, but also nonverbally. Gendered patterns of communication begin in childhood with the games children play. Smiling is also a universal nonverbal behavior, but the triggers that lead a person to smile vary from culture to culture. Be careful with hand gestures when visiting other countries. I could fairly accurately separate British people and US Americans from French, Greek, and German people based on a simple and common gesture. A US American may think that a German is being unfriendly or distant because of his or her single hand pump, while a German may think that a US American is overdoing it with seven. In the United States, colleagues do not normally shake hands again if they see each other again later in the day, but European colleagues may shake hands with each other several times a day. Information has to be explicit and detailed for the message to be conveyed without distortion. On the other hand, it is certainly possible to be informed about the cultural practices in countries which we plan to visit or among local communities with whom we are likely to have contact. The gesture itself means youre rooting for someone and wishing them good luck. Further, in order to limit my research, I have decided to focus on the effects of nonverbal communication in business settings. By using our website and agreeing to this policy, you consent to our use of cookies. In this community, members share information in order to accomplish tasks- even if the task is something like, starting a relationship. Placing your right hand over your mouth when yawning is considered polite. meaning Everything OK here! when you want to indicate that youre fine. 1. The effective use of nonverbal communications in police interrogations is discussed, with particular reference to its proper application when interviewing mentally disturbed persons. Usually, youd hold your crossed fingers behind your back. 0000005805 00000 n Pease, P. and Barbara Pease, The Definitive Book of Body Language (New York, NY: Bantam, 2004), 11213. Because verbal and nonverbal communication patterns vary greatly across cultures, . French people all shake hands with everybody they meet and they always do it twice, when they arrive and when they leave. In this paper, the authors have described how Africans use the human body as a medium of communication. At AfrikaansPod101, we know that communication is a complex process, especially where Afrikaans body language is involved. The focus falls first on the state of the discipline and issues related to teaching and research. Wood (2009) explains how girls games involve smaller groups with less rigid rules and goals. These factors have a direct impact on communication development as boys are taught to assert themselves, compete and attract attention. The degree to which this occurs differs. Whereas a man who is dressed unprofessionally, slouches, or has a weak handshake is viewed not as superior. Nonverbal communication can be anything from hand gestures, to body movements, to eye movements. He has published more than 400 articles, manuscripts, book chapters and books on these subjects. Marianna Pogosyan, Ph.D., is a lecturer in Cultural Psychology and a consultant specialising in cross-cultural transitions. We've already learned that some nonverbal communication behaviors appear to be somewhat innate because they are universally recognized. North America is a low context culture. Nonverbal communication is the act of conveying a thought, feeling, or idea through physical gestures, posture, and facial expressions. At AfrikaansPod101, we make that process even easier with our culturally-relevant content, and our practical, fun approach to learning. Registered in England & Wales No. It is customary for British, Australian, German, and US American colleagues to shake hands when seeing each other for the first time and then to shake again when departing. 1.4 Intercultural Communication Competence, 1.5 Cultural Characteristics and Communication, 2.5 Exploring Specific Cultural Identities, 4.1 Principles and Functions of Nonverbal Communication. Be interested. World Business Culture, West Down, Chalk Hill, Soberton, Hampshire SO32 3PH, Legal Notices