Body Language in Conversation

As many of you should know already, body language is a huge factor in conversation. In some instances, body language takes over the role of speaking when trying to converse with someone else. A lot can be inferred from one’s body language, which can help you and your interlocutors to contribute to the conversation in a productive manner. Body language becomes more prevalent in group discussions, but is a viable way of communicating regardless of how many people are in the conversation.

I found a quote from Ronald Wardhaugh’s book How Conversation Works that helps enforce my claim that body language could be a major component and driving force in conversation. He states that “If you are the one who appears to be in danger of being interrupted, the most effective signal that you do not wish to be interrupted is almost always a gesture of the hand.” In other words, using certain body gestures can help get your point across in conversation and can show your listeners that you really care about what you’re saying. This could cause the listeners to really value and listen to what you’re saying and respect your words more. Good body language means you are in a proper state to talk to your listener in a respectable manner. On the other side of the conversation if you’re the listener be sure to really engage with your interlocutor and give them your attention so that they will enjoy the conversation and want to continue it.

Nobody wants to talk to someone who is slouched on their chair and looking like they can’t be bothered. I walk around campus every day and see people that clearly would not be good to converse with at the moment solely based on their current body language. Not only does body language help interlocutors during conversation, but it can help them identify who to converse with beforehand. After reading this quote, I began to address all of those I conversed with with better and proper body language. I found that most people I talked to could see that I really took an interest in the convo and what they had to say. Laughing when they cracked jokes and countering their stories with stories of my own made some of my conversations last a lot longer than they normally do. In this process, I feel that I have improved my body language as a whole while gaining friends I had really never talked to before.

Body language is HUGE in the business world, but people forget it can help you with your social life outside of work as well. Whether it be in the office, classroom, dining hall or social gathering, maintaining good body language is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Citations:

Wardhaugh, R. (1995). How conversation works. Oxford, NY: Blackwell.

Picture- Daniels, N. (n.d.). How To Use Body Language To Create A Good First Impression. Retrieved September 28, 2017, from http://www.fashionbeans.com/2017/how-to-use-body-language-to-create-a-good-first-impression