The first difference is that individuals use a single channel when communicating verbally versus multiple channels when communicating nonverbally. No one can say his first and last name at the same time. This is an impossible task. But any healthy man can pat the top of your head with your right hand, wave with your left hand, smile, shrug your shoulders, and chew gum at the same time. Although it is goofy and awkward, the ability to do this demonstrates how people use multiple nonverbal channels simultaneously to communicate.
A second difference between verbal and nonverbal communication is that verbal communication is distinct (linear) while nonverbal communication is continuous (in constant motion and relative to context). Distinct means that messages have a clear beginning and end, and are expressed in a linear fashion. We begin and end words and sentences in a linear way to make it easier for others to follow and understand. If you pronounce the word “cat” you begin with the letter “C” and proceed to finish with “T.” Continuous means that messages are ongoing and work in relation to other nonverbal and verbal cues.
Think about the difference between analog and digital clocks. The analog clock represents nonverbal communication in that we generate meaning by considering the relationship of the different arms to each another (context). Also, the clock’s arms are in continuous motion. We notice the speed of their movement, their position in the circle and to each other, and their relationship with the environment (is it day or night?).
A third difference between verbal and nonverbal communication is that we use verbal communication consciously while we generally use nonverbal communication unconsciously. If you ever heard the statement as a child, “Think before you speak” you were being told a fundamental principle of verbal communication. Realistically, it’s nearly impossible not to think before we speak. When we speak, we do so consciously and intentionally. In contrast, when something funny happens, you probably do not think, “Okay, I’m going to smile and laugh right now.” Instead, you react unconsciously, displaying your emotions through these nonverbal behaviors.
A fourth difference between verbal and nonverbal communication is that some nonverbal communication is universal (Hall, Chia, and Wang, 1996). Verbal communication is exclusive to the users of a particular language, whereas some nonverbal communication is recognized across cultures. Although cultures most certainly have particular meanings and uses for nonverbal communication, there are universal nonverbal behaviors that almost everyone recognizes. For instance, people around the world recognize and use expressions such as smiles, frowns, and the pointing of a finger at an object.
3.3 The Positioning of Emoticons
Network communication is the communication in the virtual world. The essence of real communication and network communication makes no difference. The only difference is their expression forms. Based on the above-mentioned analysis, the real communication is “verbal communication + nonverbal communication”, while the network communication can be defined as “word sequencing + emoticons”.
In the network communication when emoticons do not exist, if we need to express our emotion or attitude, we would have to type some descriptive words, which definitely will waste a lot of time. So a new auxiliary communication method is needed, which is not only economical and efficient and but also can serve the purpose to express our emotion and create an appropriate context. Emoticons were invented to solve this problem.
Emoticons replace the long redundant descriptive text. Chinese Language Situation released by the State Language Commission in 2006 shows that great changes have happened to the network language, compared to the time when it first appeared. The biggest change is the signs-using-rate had reached up to 55.07%, exceeding the using-rate of the Chinese characters. 从语言学视角浅析网络表情符号英文论文(6):http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_1062.html