neverbální

Neverbální is a term used to describe communication that does not rely on spoken or written language. In psychology, anthropology, and linguistics, nonverbal communication includes signals such as facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, proxemics, haptics, and paralinguistic features like tone, tempo, and volume. The term is used in several languages to denote nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal expression occurs through multiple channels: kinesics (body movements and gestures), facial expression, oculesics (eye behavior), proxemics (use of space), haptics (touch), and paralanguage (voice quality and rhythm). Additional cues include appearance, artifacts, chronemics (timing), and environmental signals. Together, these cues communicate attitudes, emotions, and social meaning often alongside spoken language.

Nonverbal cues can reinforce, contradict, or replace verbal messages. They help regulate conversations, indicate interest or disengagement, signal trust or threat, and convey power dynamics. In contexts where speech is limited or inappropriate, nonverbal cues may carry the main message.

Interpretation of nonverbal signals varies across cultures and situations. A gesture or gesture pattern that is friendly in one culture may be insulting in another. High-context cultures rely more on shared nonverbal conventions, while low-context cultures emphasize explicit verbal information. Cross-cultural communication therefore requires attention to context and norms.

Nonverbal communication is studied with observational coding systems and theoretical frameworks; the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) is a well-known method for analyzing facial movements. Research emphasizes that context, individual differences, and culture shape interpretation, making reliability dependent on careful methodology.

Applications include education, therapy, intercultural training, leadership, and user-interface design, where awareness of nonverbal cues improves understanding, interaction, and decision-making.