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UNIT 7. Para-verbal communication. In this unit, we will focus on the para-verbal level of our communicative exchanges, using the voice not in the form of words, but of sounds. Thanks to this unit you will discover the importance of the voice and its para-verbal expressions. The para-verbal level will be discussed and investigated in the smallest details, but we will also provide you with the possibility of finding out how it can be improved. It is possible to exercise and improve the para-verbal level of communication, as well as the verbal and non-verbal one. Thanks to this course you will find out how. Let’s get going. Voice is a powerful communication tool, especially today with the processes of virtualization and digitization, humans communicate with each other even when they are poles apart. To communicate remotely, new technologies are used, which are becoming increasingly pervasive as their importance gets discovered. We are used to managing our phones to make calls of all sorts, and conferences are increasingly in video format, to allow everyone, even those who are far away, to actively participate and be present. Both in our private life and work, technologies have radically changed the way we relate to others, allowing us to remain connected all day and every day, even when we are at the opposite ends of the planet. What has emerged is the importance of the voice. Of course, voice has never been unnoticed, but today with the absence of physical bodies, voice itself has taken over the weight of communication, having to convey by itself all those messages that were previously communicated through body language. Posture exercises, breathing, but also strategies to combat anxiety have proved fundamental in this period. At this point it becomes necessary to pay attention to two fundamental aspects of the voice. In fact, voice allows us to communicate in two different ways, which act in parallel during our communication exchanges. These two ways or levels are commonly known as verbal communication and para-verbal communication. Thanks to this unit, therefore, we will discover what they consist of, what are their differences and the potential of these two ways to communicate. First, communication is an Italian word that derives from the Latin cum, or with, and muni, meaning to bind. The two terms were once again forming the Latin word communic that meant "participate". Communicating therefore can be understood as follows: "….the process and methods of transmitting information from one individual to another (or from one place to another), through the exchange of a message processed according to the rules of a certain code". Communication is therefore an act of interaction between two or more parties. With the term "verbal communication", we therefore intend the level of communication consisting of words, syntactic and grammatical rules. With the term "para-verbal communication", we indicate the tone, volume and rhythm. The paralinguistic system, also called non-verbal, thus involves the whole set of sounds issued during the communicative exchange but stems from words and syntactic rules. In fact, when we speak, what we say is important, but of greater importance is also how we say it. In a sense, then we can define para-verbal communication as follows: "Para-verbal communication is the component of communication that focuses on" how ", analysing the characteristics of tone and voice, one of the most representative elements of our emotions". For example, if we turn to someone saying "eat", we communicate two totally different things depending on the tone and volume of voice adopted. If we weigh down the volume of our voice, for example, we can communicate firmness, in a totally different way than if our voice was low. Below are the characteristics of the para-verbal communication: which are therefore the components of this type of communication that allow us to communicate not only with words, but also thanks to how we communicate these words to others. So far, we have said that voice is fundamental in the communicative act, although until recently an essential component of communication was the body. In fact, non-verbal communication, constituted by the language of the body and the non-semantic constituents of communicative exchange, is of great importance. In fact, one thinks that verbal communication consists only of less than 30% of our general communication. However today, with the establishment of the distance between people and the partial replacement of face-to-face relationships with virtual ones, permitted by new digital technologies, voice has become much more important than before. The ability to monitor and use your own voice to the fullest, without letting yourself be overwhelmed by anxiety, is therefore fundamental. Making the most of our voice does not only mean managing our emotions and breathing properly. It is for this reason that, in this unit, we will dedicate ourselves to communication considering two aspects affecting voice: verbal communication, consisting in good substance of words and rules, and the para-verbal communication, constituted instead by all those vocal acts that are not words . We now present the paralinguistic system, whose components make it possible to communicate by means of voice, but without using words. First we have the tone. By tone we mean the frequency of the voice, which varies according to both physiological factors, such as age and physical constitution. For example, considering social levels, a high social level person will unknowingly tend to talk to a person of a lower social level using a serious tone. Usually a low voice tone tends to communicate authority. Furthermore, the tone of voice contributes to changing the meaning we give to words and speeches. And again, the tone is also fundamental with reference to the judgment that our listener will give our speech. A tone of acute voice can in fact be unpleasant and annoying, making our communicative act much less welcome and authoritative. The tone of voice is also fundamental because it allows us to communicate our emotions. We can therefore communicate with a serene, sad, angry tone. And again, hard, seductive or sarcastic. The voice tone radically changes the content of our speech and is therefore also more important than words. It is thanks to the tone, in fact, that we can communicate something apparently kind or friendly, but sarcastically. The voice tone, therefore, is fundamental to communicate emotionally thoughts, feelings and meanings of speech. It is very important to give tone to our conversation and make sure to communicate in the correct way, because only so we will be excellent communicators. In addition to the tone, the volume of the voice is also significant. It is very interesting for example to pay attention to the variations in the volume of voice, since a higher or lower volume puts emphasis on certain words, phrases or parts of speech. For example, a high volume of voice is an indication of high emotional involvement; On the contrary, a low volume of voice indicates a lower emotional involvement. Communicating without any variation of the volume of voice, on the other hand, will make our speech appear to be flat, boring and even insecure. In contrast, a very high volume of voice communicates aggression and safety. The volume of the voice, in other words, allows variation of speech intensity and emphasize words or phrases. Thanks to voice volume, your listener will also understand if you are a shy and extroverted person: it communicates security. A loud volume implies an aggressive demeanour. Also, varying voice volume several times gives emphasis to speech, so do not disregard this strategy. For example, considering social levels, a high social level person will unknowingly tend to talk to a person of a lower social level using a serious tone. Another component is then the rhythm. It is possible to give rhythm to our speech in such a way as to give it authority, friendliness or informality. Talk in a slow rhythm, for example, causes our speech to appear solemn. By contrast, speaking at a high pace, eliminating pauses between one sentence and another, lowers this aura of solemnity and gives the speech a sense of informality. In this context the breaks are of fundamental importance and are distinguished in empty pauses and full breaks. With an empty break we mean the silence placed between a sentence and the other that gives the speech a slow and solemn rhythm. Full breaks are instead characterized by interaction power. When we respond to someone's speech with a full break, for example the word "Well", we communicate and participate in the interaction itself even without conveying any verbal meaning. In a nutshell the rhythm, that is the speed with which we communicate as much as the words. A too slow rhythm can turn to boredom. A fast pace is often addictive, but we must pay attention not to talk too quickly because we risk transmitting anxiety and nervousness to our listener. As mentioned, pauses are fundamental to give rhythm to our speech. A good speaker knows to make good use of them, creating a state of suspense for listeners who are then eager to hear the continuation.