....is actually communicated when using words alone.
The other 90% is communicated through how you say it through the use of body language.
This occurred to me when I realized how much conflict seems to arise in these forums over such minor issues.
Most of the disagreements arise not by what is communicated, but by what isn't.
Disagree all you want.
90% of you probly will.
Just a thought.
Peace Out

Hand gestures are the Lingua Franca in Europe, esp in the south and Meditteranean region.

Body language...uhm...okay. I lie through body language but I'm honest through words.

Interesting thought, but not true. Actually, a lot of communication has to do with the tone of your voice. Besides that, even when you are talking with a person, a lot is lost in the communication because both people have different perspectives and past experiences. Body language is a factor, but it is still minor compared to other things.

the problem on a forum is that you can't really express body language of tone of voice. That is what makes forum conversations interesting. It is usually the people who are better at debating and who can use language very well who can win arguments on the forum.

Moementum, did you just make up this statistic?

actually, that's probably true. Living in Portugal, I know I use my hands a lot to express many things. ...When I don't know the word I want, when I am narrating events, when I list things... esp. when I debate.. hehe

It's really funny to watch portuguese politicians with the TV on mute. All you see is them waving around... lying through their teeth and expressing it with weird facial ticks..

There's a good program "The Human Face" I think it's called, presented by Jonh Cleese and Elizabeth Hurley... and it's really good.

Even if moe...'s stat was exaggerated I'd have to agree.

I've read mundane documents proclaiming proper direction with reagrds to issues, supported by strong arguments without any effect - on me (in my job). But, when I see and hear the author of that 'document' present it with passion and belief I become a believer. So yeah, body language and passion (void traits here) provide a greater appreciation of the message. Read any MLK speach in black and white - without prior knowledge of who he was or what he stood for(an african-american man who had a passion for equality(traits known through voice and body language)) - and tell me it carries the same message. Yeah right....

It's 70-75% not 90%. That's just stupid. Watch some silent movies and you'll see. anyway, at least 10% of communication comes through the expression used in voice (loud/soft/angry/crying/whispering/whatever) and thats without any words even.

Yes, the 10% is just a rough estimate from all of the info I have heard over the years.

But either way, my point is that most of our communication is done through the use of our physical body. Whether it's 10, 20, 30, or even 50%.
Let's not get too anul on the exact, specific, minute to the nth degree about it...sheesh!
I also knew about the tone of voice but thought that it could be included as part of the physical catagory. Larynx, amount of air used, etc.

Anyways, great posts and extra info, thanks.

Sorry rainbow..., this left me a little confused.

rainbox - does the percentage really matter?

Words mean nothing if your body language is actually contradictory.

It should be split into 3 parts:

- What You Say
- How You Say it
- Body Language

Because they can all come into conflict. If 2 of there do something different to the 3th... you're bound to send out mixed messages.

Tone of voice, I think is paramount.

A perfect case in point: My architect is usually cold and business-like when talking to me on the phone or in person; yesterday, I told somebody to call him from their phone because I needed to ask him something, so he dialled the number and gave me the phone. The architect, thinking that it was this other person that had called him, answered with a very friendly, robust and jovial, "My friend... long time... how are you?" Sounding like a completely different person. In fact, I thought it was somebody else, so I never even spoke to him and handed the phone back to the dialler, telling him he must have dialled the wrong number!

What I meant was, is that along with what you say, and physical position another thing is HOW you say something. Like if I said "I don't like popcorn" it means different things depending on the accents:

I don't like popcorn (it's only me)
I don't LIKE popcorn (I want to eat something else)
I don't like POPCORN (It's only popcorn I don't like)
I DON'T like popcorn (No, you misheard me. I don't want it)

Understand, now?

Maybe that explains why I have so much trouble understanding people on talk back radio.