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``Paraverbal communication refers to the messages that we transmit through the tone, pitch, and pacing of our voices. It is how we say something, not what we say.``
In addition to the verbal and non-verbal plane there is a third means of communicating: the paraverbal. This includes all communication signals dealing with voice modulation and – level. (Some communication researchers also categorize this means as a sub-category of non-verbal communication). I am sure that you are, or at least should be aware of this based on your own means of communicating: When we are sure of ourselves, feel calm and confident our voice sounds clear and well enunciated; if for example we are nervous or aggressive, we generally speak faster and often in a high-pitched tone. Aggression generally causes the voice to get louder; on the other hand, fear and insecurity are manifested by a rather more muted and a higher voice or also by floundering. In addition to insecurity the voice level also signals fun and happiness – you probably have squealed for joy when you received something particularly nice or exciting. On the other hand, fear can naturally cause some very impressive squealing; in order to relate to that all one has to do, is hang out and watch the activity around a free-fall-tower or one of those death and gravity defying roller coasters.Consequently paraverbal signals are not unilaterally entirely unequivocal; in the course of experiments subjects most easily recognize the emotions fear and anger in the voice level. From an evolutionary point of view, this makes sense because it was surely very useful that one was aware of a danger the other had noticed early on (that could well also be threatening to oneself at the same time) or when someone else was furious and therefore it was probably safer to get out of dodge. In addition to this emotional information paraverbal signals also provide information about our counterpart’s group affiliation – for instance about which dialect he/she speaks or whether he/he is a foreigner and therefore has an accent.As part of a communication in the case of doubt, paraverbal signals are clearly superior to verbal content: when your girl friend assures you that she is absolutely not afraid and communicates that in a trembling voice two octaves higher than usual, you can be pretty sure that she is about to tell you a fib. Lie researchers have determined that paraverbal signals are an excellent indication of conscious attempts to deceive. The wrong inflection, a wrong intonation or incorrect emphasis quickly warns experts that someone is not speaking the truth.Although opinions regarding the reliability of nonverbal and paraverbal signals as a part of communication differ – there is no question that these two areas present any number of opportunities for misinterpretation or misunderstandings - however, all experts are agreed in one basic fact: we instinctively grade the value of nonverbal and paraverbal signals considerably higher than the one of verbal signals. Based on research non- and paraverbal elements represent between 60 and 90% in response to the question whether that which someone just told us was convincing, or not.
Paraverbal in communications refers to how we say the words we say. It normally accounts for what we communicate. So it is very important that we have to be careful about the tone of our voice and the choices of words so we'll not be misread or misunderstood.
My colleagues previous answers covered the details very well. Nothing more for me to add.
Paraverbal refers to how we say the words we say, for example do we seem happy, sad, angry, determined or forceful. Some researchers suggest it accounts for about 30% of what we communicate.
Tone of voice and the way in which we choose our words is important here. When we are angry, we tend to speak more rapidly and at a higher pitch. If we feel someone is attacking us, we tend to respond in short, curt, sentences. You can usually tell if a person is bored by a tendency towards a slow and monotone delivery.
i fully agree with the answers been added by experts..........thanks.
Thank you for the invitation... I will agree with the answers .. Variety of correct info and opinions .. Nothing to add !
Your body language and the tone of your voice generally say much more than the words you use. Paraverbal are all such elements that are part of the speech and indirectly influence what you say.
Paraverbal communication refers to the messages that we transmit through the tone, pitch, and pacing of our voices. It is how we say something, not what we say. The paraverbal message accounts for approximately 38% of what is communicated to someone. A sentence can convey entirely different meanings depending on the emphasis on words and the tone of voice. For example, the statement, "I didn't say you were stupid" has six different meanings, depending on which word is emphasized.
Some points to remember about our paraverbal communication:
When we are angry or excited, our speech tends to become more rapid and higher pitched.
When we are bored or feeling down, our speech tends to slow and take on a monotone quality.
When we are feeling defensive, our speech is often abrupt.
