As studied, non-verbal communication can be communicated through many different channels – facial expressions, actions, behaviours, etc.. Non-verbal communication can be used to repeat, contradict, substitute, complement, accent or regulate verbal communication.
In our modern society, a lot of non-verbal communication is used to put a point across. Some examples of such non-verbal communication includes the twitching of the eyebrows, indicating that we are unsure of the subject matter that is being discussed, or a hand signal to respond to someone far away. Such actions and movements have become a part of our lives that we do not put much thought into these non-verbal cues. Very often, we use non-verbal communication as a form of response to someone to has communicated (usually verbally) to us. For example, when a person asks a question and the respondent nods his head, it clearly shows that the respondent agrees with the person and has no other comments to add. However, there are also times when the person who is sending out the message, decides to send it out non-verbally. The following video is one such example. In the video, we are able to see how non-verbal communication can be used to substitute verbal communication.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv7NEYKo32E&feature=channel#watch-main-area
As shown in the video, the male lead actor led the female lead actress into the house without saying a word and almost immediately, the music from the handphones began to play. Internationally, the music is associated to wedding because it is typically the song that is used for wedding march-ins. Thus, when the music was played, instantly the viewer would be thinking of a wedding ceremony, and then associate the scene to a proposal script. After the song has ended and the lights are being turned on, friends began shouting “Marry him!” in Mandarin. This further helps complement the non-verbal communication that was previously sent out.
At the same time, paralinguistics is also used to complement the message that has been sent. Instead of using a low pitch, low volume and lethargic tone to encourage the female actress to agree to the proposal, friends used very high pitch, high volume and a tone that is filled with energy to encourage her. The use of such tone clearly shows that they support the marriage and feel that the female should agree to the proposal. At the same time, the use of screams is also a form of vocalic used to break the silence between the couple immediately after the music has ended.
Though short and simple, this video is a good example which showcases how non-verbal communication can not only be used as a channel to respond to someone, but it can also be used as a channel to send out a message to the respondent. It also further reemphasizes that we cannot do without communication. In everything that we do, we are constantly communicating with one another, verbally or non-verbally.
i wish i could meet someone like him who can propose me using non-verbal communication like this!!! it's so romantic!!!
ReplyDeletethis is indeed a very different form of nonverbal communication. whenever we talk about nonverbal communication, we often associate them with just normal conversations between 2 persons, and not used for important occassions and events such as a proposal. this clearly shows that there is no boundaries for verbal communication to take place. it can take place anytime, anywhere and in any form.
ReplyDeletecheers!
indeed in today's context, more and more methods are being used as a form of proposal. the use of nonverbal communication has become increasingly common and this video is just one of the few examples. even when proposals are done verbally, they are less subtle as compared to the past. this is mainly because in modern society, more emphasis is placed on the physical aspect, rather than the verbal aspect of the proposal. youngsters would prefer to go for something of novelty, than the usual proposal where the male lead kneels before the female lead to propose to her.
ReplyDelete-j
what an unusual proposal!
ReplyDeleteAnother example of nonverbal cue that is showcased in this video is when the main actor kneels down in front of the main actress. This movement is a typical scene in all proposal scripts. Thus when this action is shown, instantly all viewers would know that this scene depicts a proposal, regardless of whichever society/culture the viewer is in.
ReplyDelete-cai ling
Yes, I agree that in today’s society, the younger generation is beginning to move away from verbal communication and is making use of more nonverbal communication. One very good example is the phone call and sms. Children these days would rather send an sms to their friends and wait for reply, rather than to call the person and talk to the person. thus, it is not unusual to see that someone actually makes use of nonverbal communication to propose.
ReplyDeleteThe paralinguistic used in this video helps to bring out the atmosphere of the scene. This is because in the scene, a lot of nonverbal cues were used to transmit the message. With the music at the end of the video, it adds life into the video and to show that this is a happy occasion worth rejoicing for.
ReplyDeleteet
yes, i agree with cai ling that this video pus across a very typical scene of a proposal. The music and the action of kneeling down are all actions that the male character has to take in order to propose to his fiancée.
ReplyDeleteThe use of a typical script in this case is crucial because nonverbal communication is being used in this video. Thus, in order to help viewers recognize the scene and the actions, the director cannot make use of too much variations in the actions so as not to confuse the viewers.
vet
Somethings are left better unspoken of. It jus enhance the beauty of things.
ReplyDeleteWhat an innovative proposal. I wonder how they controlled the lighting of the handphones. Haha. Anyway, I see another form of communication in this video - the power of the majority. By having the entire group shouting 'Marry Him' how can a girl possibly reject? =) the group power will definitely be stronger and thus more persuasive than just the guy saying it himself (that is if we temporarily forget about sincerity).
ReplyDeleteTo bring in another perspective, think about swindlers, don't they act in at least pairs or threesomes to convince you? =)
Lovely effort.
The use of music really helped here, which reminds me of your later post on the video, Let's Forgive.
ReplyDeleteI remember several other local advertisements that made adept use of music. For example, the Class 95 advertisement. It initially featured the use of music that generated expectation, anxiety and fear. But of course, it changed in the end to the normal kind that we're accustomed to, accompanied by their tagline.
I hope to see more advertisements like these in the future!
This video clearly shows that the use of music is indeed one of the method which is widely use by advertisers to catch the attention of viewers. One way in which PizzaHut used to capture the attention of viewers and to help viewers remember their number is through the use of jingles. Everytime people want to eat pizza, they would then sing out the jingle while making the phone call. A very simple, but successful method indeed!
ReplyDeleteYes, nonverbal cues are widely used in today’s context. in the past, we often visualize nonverbal cues as solely facial expressions and hand gestures. However, in this modern society, and with the development of technology, we are beginning to make use of more nonverbal cues to send our messages across to people.
ReplyDeleteParalinguistics is one of the most widely used method to complement nonverbal cues. As shown in our project presentations, a lot of the videos make use of paralinguistics to complement their nonverbal cues so that the messages that they wish to send across can be further enhanced.
ReplyDeleteVery good video indeed!
I guess this video not only shows the nonverbal cues that are being used, it also portrays how peer influence can play a part in our decisions. The use of peers is often shown in proposal scripts because peers can largely affect the decision that the bride makes. To a certain extend, if the bride feels indecisive about whether she wishes to marry the man, her peers would be cheering her on and giving her the green light. In some way, she would thus be more influenced by her peers to accept the proposal.
ReplyDelete