Here are some elements commonly considered non-linguistic, which could be grouped into seven categories:
1. Visual: This includes anything you can see, like:
* Body language: Posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact.
* Visual aids: Images, diagrams, graphs, videos, etc.
* Physical appearance: Clothing, hairstyle, accessories, etc.
* Spatial arrangements: The physical setting of a communication, like a room's layout or the proximity of people.
2. Auditory: This encompasses anything you can hear besides words:
* Paralanguage: Vocal characteristics like tone, pitch, volume, rhythm, and speed of speech.
* Sound effects: Music, background noise, environmental sounds.
* Silence: Strategic pauses and periods of quiet.
3. Kinesthetic: This refers to physical touch and movement:
* Touch: Handshakes, hugs, pats on the back, etc.
* Movement: Physical actions like pacing, walking, dancing, etc.
4. Olfactory: This concerns the sense of smell:
* Scents: Perfumes, food smells, natural scents like flowers.
5. Gustatory: This involves the sense of taste:
* Flavors: Food and drink, which can influence communication indirectly.
6. Temporal: This focuses on the element of time:
* Timing: When something is said or done, the duration of communication.
* Chronemics: The way time is perceived and used in different cultures.
7. Contextual: This includes a broad range of factors that influence communication:
* Cultural norms: Beliefs, values, and customs that shape communication.
* Social context: The relationship between communicators, the social setting, and the purpose of communication.
* Emotional state: The feelings and emotions of communicators can affect their communication.
* Previous experiences: Past interactions and shared knowledge can influence understanding.
Remember that these categories are not mutually exclusive and can overlap. Non-linguistic elements often work together to create meaning in communication.