What is Body Language?

Body language is the way in which we ‘express’ ourselves through the different parts of our body. It can be compared to the ordinary language we speak, known as ‘verbal language’, where we express our ideas and needs through words. Body language is communication without words; it is ‘non-verbal’ and expresses itself through the movements and gestures of our head, face, eyes, hands, legs, and so on. It is ‘language’ in the sense that just as verbal language is guided by ‘grammar’ and ‘styles’, that is, rules and patterns of speaking and writing, which are universally accepted, so does body language.
Body language is the way people unconsciously telegraph their private thoughts and emotions through body movements—the manner in which they fold their arms, cross their legs, sit, stand, walk, use their hips, eyes, and even in the subtle way they move their lips. Certain gestures like touching the nose, rubbing the eye, clearing the throat, pausing while speaking, even the clothes and scent one wears ‘speak louder’ than words.
Body Language and why it’s important
Mehrabian (1971) conducted a study on the relationships among the three main elements of communication: the verbal, the vocal, and the visual. His findings concluded the following:
Total Liking = 7% Verbal Liking (words) + 38% Vocal Liking (tone of voice, inflection) + 55% Facial Liking (non-verbal physical behaviour).
It is safe to say that body language is a vital ingredient in effective communication. It is argued that because mankind first used non-verbal communication, people are programmed inherently to respond first and foremost to nonverbal signals.
Many body language experts and sources seem to agree that that between 50 and 80 per cent of all human communications are non-verbal. So while body language statistics vary according to situation, it is generally accepted that