1. Verbal communication
This is the most common of the communication types. It means speakers talk to one another by
written words, phrases and sentences. Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language
and speaking. One theory of language origins suggests that language originated from sounds and
gestures. There are many languages spoken in the world (different studies indicate varying
numbers, from 6,000-10,000). The bases of language formation are gender, class, profession,
geographical area, age group and other social elements. Good verbal communication is an
inevitable part of business communication. In business we come across people from various
ages, culture and races thus fluent communication is essential. Also in business communication
self- confidence plays a vital role which, coupled with fluent communication skills, can lead to
success.
2. Visual communication
This is where information is relayed visually. Visual display of information includes topography,
photography, signs, symbols and designs. Television and video clips are some of the electronic
forms of visual communication.
3. Written communication.
Involves writing the words that we want to communicate. Good written communication is
essential for business purposes, emails, reports, articles and memos and some forms of using
written communication in business.
The written communication can be edited and amended many times before it is communicated to
the second party for whom it was intended. This is one of the advantages of using writing as the
major means of communication in business activity.
Written communication is used not only in business but also for informal communication
purposes e.g. mobile texts.
4. Non-Verbal Communication
This is communication other than written or spoken language that creates meaning for someone
(Beebe, Beebe and Ivy, 2004). It is composed of “all those messages that people exchange
beyond the words themselves.”
We focus on non-verbal communication because:
a) Non-verbal messages communicate feelings and attitudes. Our face, body, and
voice communicate volumes about what is going on inside of us. Non-verbal
communication is a primary tool for communicating our feelings and attitudes and for
detecting the emotional states of others.
b) Non-verbal messages are more believable than verbal. Actions speak louder than
words. While verbal communication is a conscious process, a great deal of non-verbal
communication is generated sub-consciously as we act and react to stimuli in our
environment. We can, for example, control the words we say but not the quality of our
voice when we speak, say, in anger or excitement.
When a person’s verbal and non-verbal communications contradict, the more
believable one is the non-verbal one, for example trying to hide our irritation.
c) Non-verbal messages are critical to successful relationships: it has been suggested
that 65% of the way we convey meaning in our messages is through non-verbal
communication. Of course the meaning others interpret from our behaviour may not be
the one we intended. But we begin to make judgments about people just a fraction of a
second after meeting them based on non-verbal information. Recent studies show that
we can deduce a lot about a person’s personality from a simple handshake.
Non-verbal cues are important not only in the early stages of a relationship, but also as
we maintain, deepen and sometimes terminate those relationships. In fact, the more
intimate the relationship, the more we use and understand the non-verbal cues of our
partner.
d) Non-verbal messages serve various functions for verbal messages.
Non-verbal cues can substitute for verbal messages e.g. nodding in the direction of
lifts when asked where they are.
Non-verbal cues delivered simultaneously with verbal messages complement, clarify,
or extend the meaning of the verbal, allowing for further information and more
accurate interpretation. E.g. waving and saying hello at the same time, or a long hug
accompanied by complimentary words.
sharon kalunda answered the question on February 27, 2019 at 13:06