Intonation and Non-Verbal Means of Communication

When we communicate we choose appropriate language means to convey the message. But at the same time our verbal message is accompanied by non-verbal means. We speak with our oral organs, but we converse with our entire bodies. Conversation consists of much more than a simple interchange of spoken words.

It is believed that 55-60 % of communication is conveyed by non-verbal means. They are facial expressions, gestures and postures. Our face and its various parts can demonstrate a wide range of expressions, especially when our speech is emotionally colored. For example, interest and excitement can be expressed by the widening of the eyes and parting of the lips. Gestures involve the movement of the head, the arms, hands and fingers, legs and feet. By postures we mean special arrangements of the body.

Non-verbal means of communication can be conscious and unconscious. They may be in balance with intonation and other language means, or they may compensate them. For example, in face-to-face interaction agreement is usually expressed by the falling tone and a more or less noticeable nod. In this case the intonation is in balance with non-verbal means. In case of compensation the finger in front of the lips means wanting silence. Instead of saying “yes” one may encourage further talk by nodding.

More commonly non-verbal means intensify information which is conveyed by intonation. For example, a smile generally intensifies the expression of pleasant emotions. Some non-verbal means are used to make communication more effective. For example, in public speech the rising of one hand is used to prevent interruptions or capture attention.

In general, non-verbal means are used to sound more effective and emotional.

National Variants and Dialects of the English Language

According to scientists (Albert Schweitzer; 14 January 1875, Kaysersberg, Alsace-Lorraine, Germany (now Haut-Rhin, France) - 4 September 1965,
Lambaréné, Gabon), national language is a historical category which can be defined as the language of the whole nation, the standard of its form and the language of nation’s literature. Language exists, in general, in two forms: written and spoken.

The literary spoken form has its national pronunciation standard. A standard is defined as a socially accepted variety of a language established by a codified norm of correctness.

All English-speaking nations have their own variants of pronunciation, and each of them has peculiar features that distinguish it from other varieties of English. For the so-called “English English” it is “Received Pronunciation” (RP); for “The American English” – “General American Pronunciation”; for the Australian English – “Educated Australian”.

Every national variant of English has considerable differences in pronunciation, lexis and grammar, but they all have the English language in their basis.

National standards are not fixed. They undergo constant changes due to different internal and external factors. In pronunciation we find more changes than in any other sphere of the language. Every national variant of the language falls into territorial, or regional, dialects. Dialects are distinguished from each other by differences in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. But when we speak about varieties in pronunciation only, the scientists use the word accent.

English is the national language of Great Britain, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. English originally was spoken in England and Southeastern Scotland. Then it was introduced into greater part of Scotland and Southern Ireland. In the XVII-XVIII centuries English was brought to North America. Later, in the XVIII-XIX centuries, it was brought to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. At the same time English was spread in Wales. Then, in the XX century, American English was spread in different parts of the world. So there appeared two main types of English: British and American.

According to linguists, the variants that refer to the English group are English English, Irish English, Australian English, New Zealand English and South Africa English. To the American group belong American and Canadian English. There is another idea of grouping. Sometimes scientists combine English English, Welsh English, Scottish English and Northern Ireland English into the so-called British English because of internal and external linguistic factors (political, geographical, cultural and even psychological) which influence the speech of the people living there.