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The rhythm of the speech, therefore, can easily make the listeners understand the emotional state of the speaker. Another fundamental level of paralinguistic system is silence, well punctuated. Silence is in itself a form of paralinguistic communication. For example, silence during a lesson or when someone speaks is a form of respect and politeness. Silence can also convey contempt, assent or even dissent. It can mean attention, but also distraction. Another component is the voice timbre, also called vocal colour, a voiceprint as unique as a fingerprint. It is strongly linked to the personality of the speaker and therefore communicates much to the listeners. In this case, it is an innate feature, even if it is however possible to modify it with a bit of exercise and experience. For example, we can change the timbre insisting on tone, rhythm and volume of voice. The timbre can be described in various ways: lively, warm, hoarse, deep, shrill and so on. We therefore describe some levels that characterize the para-verbal communication, or the level of communication that uses voice, but not words. These are characteristics that we can grasp from different communication acts. An emblematic example, as mentioned, is the silence, which communicates a lot, more than words. Why is para-verbal communication so important? Why is it considered even more important than verbal communication? Simply, as we mentioned, verbal communication without the para-verbal level would not be communicative. Different para-verbal components of the voice indeed influence the understanding of the sense of speech by the listener. The voice is a powerful tool. According to Julian Treasure, there are four ways in which it is capable of influencing us and our listeners. First, the voice, and the para-verbal levels of communication can affect ourselves and others on a physiological level. In a nutshell, sounds have a hormonal-type effect, but also affect breathing, heartbeat and even our brain waves. Secondly, voice can influence ourselves and others at a psychological level. This means that sounds affect people's emotions. An emblematic example are music and tunes, viewed as emotionally charged and capable of transmitting their own emotional charge to listeners. Third, the sounds, the voice and the para-verbal level of communication influence us at the cognitive level. This is why, when we are in the presence of numerous sounds, we select the most interesting one and we focus our attention on it. Sounds, therefore, are so powerful to ensure that all our attention focuses on them and our energies are used in the process of these particular inputs, departing from other tasks. It is precisely for this reason that there is music in shopping centres and shops! Finally, the voice and sound can influence behaviourally. What does it mean? Very simply, our behaviour can be modelled based on the sounds we feel. Unpleasant sounds, in addition to producing negative emotions, lead us to move away from the source of these sounds. On the other hand, pleasant sounds produce positive emotions in us and lead us to approach the source of these sounds. This leads us to believe, rightly, that sounds are fundamental. To sum up, we can say that sounds, voice and the para-verbal level of communication are so powerful to influence us and our listeners at various levels: physiological, psychological, cognitive and behavioural. So far we have discovered that the voice has become fundamental in our communicative exchanges and with it, above all, the para-verbal level of communication has become very important. The para-verbal level is therefore composed of tone, volume and rhythm; But also of silence and vocal timbre. Here are three simple exercises that could help you. The first exercise is learning to observe and becoming aware of the para-verbal level of communication. Every time you communicate, for a few days, try to pay attention to the para-verbal communication, taking as a reference point the various components listed above: tone, rhythm, speed, timbre and silence. If you think it can help, write your considerations on a diary, so you keep track of your findings. Meanwhile, try and understand what you feel in relation to what your listener communicates to you on the subject. Try to understand what impact the tone and volume of its communicative act have on you. The second exercise is paying attention to your own voice. Concentrate on your voice every time you talk to someone, observe how you usually express yourself and what effect your communication usually has on your listeners. Always helping you with a diary and notes, try to understand what tone of voice you use, what rhythm and how much volume goes into your communicative exchanges. Also focus on pauses and silences. The third and last exercise is consequent to these two and consists in improving your para-verbal communication. Once you have grasped what the para-verbal components are thanks to the observation of others and to para-verbal exercises, now try with new tones and volumes. Watch the effect it has on others and again, if need be, write everything down or record your performance. Remember that even the timbre of your voice can be modified through volume, tone and rhythm. Summary: In this unit, we have dwelled on the importance of voice, considered essential both in a verbal and para-verbal communication. We then focused on the para-verbal level of our communicative acts by highlighting the importance of knowing them to adapt to various circumstances. Thanks to this unit, we have understood how the para-verbal level of communication works and how it manages to communicate a lot of information about the speaker. We have then learned to distinguish the various parts of communication, and how to improve the quality of your speeches.