Kinesics also referred to as body language is a study and interpretation of body behavior and movement. It denotes to non-verbal communication through communicative body movements subject to different analysis based on the cultural orientation of the users. Emblems, regulators, illustrators, affect display, and adaptors are some of the kinesics used in communication to convey different meanings although users are rarely aware of the usage.
Emblems are word replacement gestures with specific meanings. An instance occurred as I observed traffic officers manning public roads. While driving with my dad to a shopping center, the traffic police used an open hand raised up as a signal to my dad to stop the car. My father had an understanding of the sign by the police and stopped the vehicle in response to the non-verbal cue. As traffic moved on, one could notice a continuous use of the raised open hand gesture by the police. Both drivers and police are aware of the sign and use it often to communicate because it has a direct verbal translation of ‘stop the car. The police officer frisked the car and allowed us to keep driving. The police officer used the thumbs up sign by having his fist closed and the thumb finger extended upward. It indicated that everything was okay with the search, a sign of approval and satisfaction. My father in response used the thumbs up sign towards the police to suggest that he was okay with the situation. Many communicators of which many are aware of its usage often use this sign to pass the message. Such an indication is quick to use and lacks ambiguity in meaning. However, its definition varies across cultures.
Regulators refer to non-verbal gestures that control the flow of a conversation. A regulator example is putting one’s hand up or nodding the head. In our communication class, students raise up their hands to signal the instructor that they are ready to speak - be it answering a question or raising an issue related to the study topic or even asking a question. Raising a hand signals to turn taking during a conversation such as during a class discussion (Thakur 2). The event is often to avoid rudely interrupting a speaker or dominating a conversation by speaking alone for long. It allows every individual involved in the dialogue to put a point across resulting in achieving connectivity. In the same class, students utilized nodding of the head a sign of agreeing with the discussion or that they understand the content of the study. Head nodding is a non-verbal way of providing feedback to show that the recipients of the message agree with the speaker or understand the information put across. However, most learners were barely aware of their use of nod heading gesture during the lesson however, they used the sign.
Illustrator gestures accompany the information in a conversation. They create visual images in support of the information put across. They complement the verbal communication and consistently used by communicators to reinforce their message. While attending a class presentation on non-verbal presentation, one student used to finger pointing as an illustrator while a student from the audience attempted to ask a question. The student used his hands while talking and the presenter pointed at him to help the listeners understand better what non-verbal cues are in communication. Through finger pointing, we could quickly create a connection between the presentation and the description. It helps provide clarity in the display. Another illustrator gesture used during the performance is using hands to indicate size. Though subconsciously used, another presenter talking about types of communication used his hands apart to describe the enormous group size of people involved in mass communication. It helped capture the listeners’ attention while clarifying the message and in the end increasing the ability of the audience to remember the details.
Adaptors also describe body behavior under different circumstances. They are changes in one’s posture or body movement in reaction to a situation. I went to Starbucks for sit-in coffee and two men sited in the next table holding a conversation extensively used adaptors with little awareness. While in the middle of conversation, one of the characters leaned away from the table. It acted as a sign that he was disinterested in the point brought up by the other character. Few people realize that they are reacting disapprovingly to the conversation. Neither do their partners in the dialogue understand that the other party is disinterested? While still leaning away, he also crossed his arms and legs to show that he was fed up with the conversation and he was unwilling to continue listening.
Finally, affect display gestures refer to facial expressions motivated by emotions in a given situation. These affect displays carry emotional meaning while sending a message about one’s feelings in a presented case. One day, while at a supermarket, I monitored various shoppers to look at their reaction to multiple products and services offered. One shopper frowned while complaining to the mall attendant how the price of footwear rose dramatically due to heavy rains. The shop attendant could apparently know that the customer displeased with the constant price fluctuations. Another shopper picking ice cream from the supermarket put a smile on his face when he finally found his favorite strawberry flavor. Such displays were spontaneous signal sending a message on the current emotions of the two shoppers.
Body language is essential in everyday communication. An understanding of kinesics helps recipients and senders to communicate while keeping both parties interested in the conversation efficiently. It is necessary to note body signals sent during a discussion to give the right feedback.
Work cited
Thakur, Pritam. Kinesics: When the Human Body Speaks Vidya Pratishthan, Indapur, 2013
