Non-verbal Signs Research Articles

Social Distancing in an Interactive Approach: A Typology and Functions of Visual Representations of the Concept

The aim of the article is to analyze visual representations of the concept of social distancing on the basis of material retrieved from the Internet. The examples cited in the text primarily refer to verbal expressions and nonverbal signs operating in English-speaking countries. In the first part, we will introduce the reader to the broader context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly changed the meaning of the term social distancing. In the next part, we draw on the theoretical work of Erving Goffman and analyze the practice of maintaining social distancing as a kind of interaction ritual. In the third part, we will place the concept of social distancing within the framework of Edward T. Hall’s proxemic research. The final section of our discussion will analyze visual images referring to social distancing featured on COVID masks and other artifacts. We also propose our own typology of these visual representations of social distancing and the functions they serve.

On the Relations Between Non-Verbal Signs and Norms

AbstractAlthough the presumption that norms are necessarily expressed by words has traditionally prevailed in the scientific community, some scholars are challenging verbal-centrism in the normative domain. While sympathising with this cause, this paper argues that not every case in which a norm is expressible by a non-verbal sign is a case in which that norm is genetically or ontologically word-free. After mapping the different relations that can exist between a sign and a norm, the paper shows that the holding of many of them should not be taken per se as evidence for the thesis that some norms are genetically or ontologically word-independent, no matter that the sign is non-verbal. In particular, the paper analyses why some eminent examples of normative non-verbal signs like red traffic lights, traffic warden’s outstretched arms, referee’s whistles, and word-free no smoking signs, are not good evidence for the claim that some norms are not produced by or do not consist of verbal signs.

A Semiotic Analysis of the Verbal and Non-Verbal Slogans Used in the Day of Ashura

Slogans serve multifaceted purposes. They elucidate intricate concepts, articulate group philosophies and objectives, foster identification, spark violent conflicts, and anticipate future expectations. This study delves into the examination of the slogans articulated by Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) or his adherents during Ashura revolution in response to the deviations in Yazid's rule. The primary objective is to unravel the meanings embedded in the visual signs, encompassing both denotation and connotation, inherent in these slogans. Employing Barthes's (1968) semiotic theory, the researchers scrutinize six selected images, each featuring impactful slogans sourced from various websites. The analysis reveals that these images encompass a fusion of verbal and non-verbal signs. Furthermore, the study finds that slogans not only have denotative meanings, but are also rich in various connotations. The inclusion of colour in conjunction with the slogans in the images is a deliberate strategy to capture the reader's attention and evoke psychological responses.

An Analysis of Verbal and Non-Verbal Signs Advertisement in Bali

An Analysis of Verbal and Non-Verbal Signs Advertisement in Bali

STUDY OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION OF CONFERENCE INTERPRETERS’ LINGUISTIC PERSONALITY

The article is devoted to the relevance and significance of nonverbal communication in a comprehensive approach to the study of the linguistic personality of a conference interpreter. The author explains the use of the communicative-functional approach to the analysis of verbal and nonverbal behaviour of the interpreter’s linguistic personality. The hypothesis of the study brings out that the nonverbal behaviour of the interpreter’s linguistic personality is determined by the content of the translated utterance, the interpreter’s internal motivation and intention (the pragmatic level of the linguistic personality), and it is consistently proved that nonverbal means shall be considered as part of the structural model of the linguistic personality, influencing the verbal representation of the linguistic personality. The author analyses a nonverbal sign (at its beginning, middle and end of its expression) and a translation syntagm as minimal units of study. The units of the study were collected by solid sampling from 14 video recordings of interpretation series, total study includes 105 minutes with records of nonverbal signs used by linguistic personality the interpreters participated in the study. As a result, the author classified nonverbal signs into vegetatives and somatives, and she structurally described the content of the groups of kinesic somatives, oculesic somatives and prosodic somatives, presenting the semantic content of nonverbal signs; within kinesic somatives, the author described a subgroup of comfort-gestures. The paper concludes about the prospect of further study of nonverbal communication and its importance for the study of linguistic personality in general.

FICTION AS SYNTHESIS OF MULTI-MODE MEANS OF PRESENTING NARRATIVE INFORMATION

Despite a considerable number of discoveries made in the XX and XXI centuries in the field of linguistics, there still remain a few global problems demanding their solution or treatment on the new level of scientific and social development. Amongst those, we shall mention the issue of giving a clearcut definition of fiction. This challenge has become even more difficult due to such new literary forms as digital literature, comics, fanfiction, narrative videogames, etc. Thus, the topicality of the article follows from the linguo-gnoseological importance of defining the very term “fiction” in a world with the dominance of computer technologies, providing more and more new ways of transmitting information. Our work is also motivated by the lack of serious research suggesting objective criteria for a modern piece of fiction. Hence, the research aims at specifying what can be understood as fiction in modern conditions and at characterizing the peculiarities of narrative representation in fiction today. The work is grounded on the postulates of information theory and narrative studies, coupled with classical methods of linguistic analysis. Thus, the results obtained in the process of investigation can be summarized in the following conclusions. A piece of fiction is a work of art which is built around a certain narrative. Its aesthetic component is shaped by the latter and by the communicative goal set up by the author. Narrative here is codified by means of verbal (and sometimes non-verbal) signs and presents an extra-lingual situation arousing the reader’s interest since it reflects or has nothing to do with their own cognitive experience, teases their ability to predict the plotline and influences their world pictures in the process of indirect communication with the author. The very existence of a number of modes objectivizing one and the same narrative (or its close invariants), like movies, comics, fanfiction, gamebooks, videogames, etc., enhances the reader’s immersion and the impact made by the narrative, granting the audience multi-existence and generating a new Gestalt-like quasi-universe in their minds.

Uloga Facebooka u promjenama obrazaca interpersonalne komunikacije i poimanju romantičnih odnosa

Digital technology in mass media provides a new way of transmitting information, but often does not deliver the veracity and emotional depth of information as direct human interaction does. Apart from the convergence offered by the media, information discernment through one of the digital or mass communication channels remains inferior to direct human communication. The question arises as to how social internet platforms affect relationships between women and men and the value and emotional structure of these relationships. Despite numerous studies that have dealt with the influence of social networks on the quality of communication and life of children and young people, it is evident that the question of the influence of social networks on gender relations is often neglected or considered less important. The purpose of this research was to examine the public’s perception of the alienating effects of Facebook in the area of primordial and primary social interaction between women and men as a previous communication to all other forms and types of communication. The results showed that the majority of respondents do not support the use of social networks for sexual acquaintances or emotional relationships, considering virtual communication as an insufficient substitute for real emotional contacts, which include non-verbal signs of attraction, and do not perceive them as a suitable means for engaging in emotional or erotic experiences. Although most do not consider them a threat to stable emotional relationships, they are a threat to the spiritual component and dignity of the partner and are perceived as an foundation for sexual adventures, trips and fraud.

Denotation and connotation meaning in Little Women: reflection of liberal feminism through verbal and non-verbal signs in a movie

This research aims to determine the meaning of denotation and connotation in Little Women (2019) movie. It employed a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling technique was used to select verbal and non-verbal signs containing feminism issues. In analyzing the data, this research applied Barthes’ (1986) semiotics and the theory of liberal feminism (Tong and Botts, 2018). The data taken are four scenes in the movie. Based on the analysis, it reveals two findings. The denotation reflects the original, actual, or objective meaning of the non- and verbal signs that has been universally agreed upon. Meanwhile the connotation implies the meaning which is not real and is influenced by the reader/viewer’s feelings, emotions, and cultural values. The signs’ meanings there represent liberal feminism in four fields: workplace, social, domestic, and education fields.

A Semiotic Analysis of Social Class Representation in Pakistani Television Commercials

Semiotics interprets that how different signs are used in everyday lives to represent different things. Different verbal and non-verbal signs are used to reflect different ideologies and hidden agendas in the field of advertisements. The meanings and hidden agendas of TV commercials can be analysed in a more appropriate and effective way by considering semiotics as an influential tool of investigation. The enterprises of different domains as semiotics, linguistics and sociocultural studies make the current study as a multidisciplinary study. Media has become one of the most influential and feasible tool in the diffusion and representation of information and ideas in this globalised world with the advancement of science and technology. It encompasses strength and power to present different ideologies and agendas with the help of different verbal and non-verbal signs. The current study aims to analyse the demonstration of social class distinctive patterns in Pakistani television commercials. The study examines the representation of different social classes in the commercials by keeping in view the agendas and ideologies of advertisers. The nature of the study is qualitative. The theory of semiotics proposed by Dyer (1982) in the book advertising as Communication is the basis of the theoretical framework of the study. The commercials of renowned Pakistani television channels are collected as the data of the study. Non probability sampling technique is used to collect the data which comprises only those commercials which reflect social class representation. The analysis of the study highlights that different social classes as upper and lower classes are represented in different spheres of lives at symbolic level in the selected advertisements. The social class presentation in commercials represent the domination and superiority of upper class. The images of both upper and lower classes presented in the commercials support ideological beliefs about how social class biased practices are prevailed in the Pakistani society.

THE FILM 'PESANTREN' AND RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN INDONESIA: REALITY, REPRESENTATION AND IDEOLOGY

This article aims to explain the form of religious tolerance values in the documentary film 'Pesantren' which was released in 2022. This film is interesting because it reveals the educational side of religious tolerance in Indonesia, which shows another side of pesantren, which is considered by some to be a hotbed of indoctrination of radical and fundamental religious views. Through descriptive qualitative method, this article focuses on the value of religious tolerance in the film presented through verbal and non-verbal signs. The data is analyzed using John Fiske's semiotic theory that explains the codes of television, namely the level of reality, the level of representation and the level of ideology. This theory is useful to reveal the meaning behind each scene. This article shows that in the film Pesantren, the value of tolerance is more dominant after reading the ideology stage. The value of tolerance in the film is present in the frame of inter and intra-religious tolerance. The value is instilled in three major narratives, namely: respecting differences of opinion, avoiding fanaticism because God's love is also unlimited, preaching with good words and staying away from discrimination against people of different beliefs.

Semiotic Analysis on TV Series Industry: Case Study of Criminal Minds Poster

This research aims to identify and explain the signifiers, signified, denotations, connotations meanings, and myths embedded in the signs of the TV series Criminal Minds poster. In this research, the authors used the descriptive qualitative method to identify, analyze, and explain the signs in the Criminal Minds TV series poster. The authors also employ Ferdinand de Saussure and Roland Barthes' semiotic approach in the research. The primary data of this research is taken from both the verbal and nonverbal signs in Criminal Minds TV Series posters. This research shows that there are nine nonverbal and two verbal signs. Furthermore, after analyzing all of the signs (both verbal and nonverbal) in Saussure and Barthes' semiotic approach, this study found that all of the signs carry specific messages. Its purpose is to give the audience teasers or clues about the story, which tells about the journey of all main characters of Criminal Minds. Moreover, the myth commonly found across the signs in this TV series poster is to attract more potential viewers to watch the series.

Handling Disruptive Behaviors of Students in San Jose National High School

The study south to answer the following sub- questions: 1. Psychological Profile of the students along; a. Age b. Gender, c. Employment Status of Parents, d. Income of the Family, e. Number of Adult in the Household, f. Relationship with the Parents, g. Number of Siblings, and h. Recreational Activity; 2. Common extreme disruptive behaviors observed by the Teachers, 3. Techniques used to deal and correct disruptive behavior of the students, 4. Intervention program to proposed as enhancement in the techniques used for dealing and correcting the disruptive behavior of the students. The study is anchored on the Educationalist Theory of John Locke, Zone of Proximal Development of Lev Vygotsky, B.F. skinners’ Operant Conditioning Theory, Behaviorist Theory, and the Theory of Contingency Management. The respondents of the study were the identified students with disruptive behaviors of San Jose National High School, regardless of the year level, who belongs to the twenty percent (20%) of the total population of the school who were identified and assessed by the Curriculum Chairman. Anecdotal records of the advisers and subject teachers served as bases in the gathering of the pertinent data relevant to the study. The descriptive method of research utilizing document analyses was used in this study. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, and weighted mean. Findings of the study revealed that 1. The psychological profile of the respondents disclosed that most of the student respondents belong to the 14-15 age bracket. There were more male student respondents with disruptive behavior than female students. Most of the respondents’ families were undeployed (46.46%). Two hundred forty-two (242) or 84.61 % of the student respondent’s family earned below 15,999 a month which is below the poverty threshold stated by NEDA. The number of adults in the family was more than five. Eighty-six or 30.07 % of the respondents were not so close to their parents and watching television was the common recreational activity of the family among the respondents; 2. The common disruptive behaviors that were always manifested by the students were unnecessary talking with a mean score of 4.51 and use of cell phones with a total mean score of 4.43 transferring seats (4.03) and entering class late and going out without permission (3.79). However, the common disruptive behaviors of the students with the least mean scores which they seldom manifested were writing and reading love letters (2.28) and running along the corridor (2.20). the extreme disruptive behaviors on the other hand, that were always manifested by the high school students gambling of all sorts with a total mean score of 4.52 and often times manifested by smoking inside the school premises (4.10) on the other hand the extreme disruptive behavior that were never manifested by the students were: sexual harassment, unwelcomely with advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and non-verbal sexual signs (1.71) and playing with firecracker (1.24); 4. A proposed intervention program is necessary to enhance the technique used for dealing and correcting disruptive behavior of students.

“Language and body semiotics”. Grigory E. Kreidlin’s research on embodied semiotics

The interaction between the body and the environment through non-verbal signs and the assignment of linguistic designations to these signs determines the transition from mere existence to the semiotic level. One of the basic principles of this approach is the following: the body as a tool in interaction with the environment and other subjects serves as a basis for evaluating all contexts and events primarily as favorable (for the existence and development of the body), unfavorable and neutral, as well as for determining the importance of individual events. In this way, the body becomes the source of the meanings inherent in signs. The body as a source of symbolic meanings has been considered in a wide range of fields, from psychoanalysis, philosophy, and art theory to studies in anthropology and cognitive science. The knowledge accumulated at the present stage allows us to study in more detail how body movements and, in general, the presence of the body and its parts in the communicative space are embedded in symbolic communication. The two-volume “Language and semiotics of the body”, written by a team of authors led by G. E. Kreidlin (2020), considers movements, body parts and their linguistic designations as a coherent and consistent sign system, which corresponds to the approach adopted within embodied semiotics, in which communicative events acquire their meaning based on the experience of their existence in the surrounding world and bodily interaction with it. This article considers the text of the collective monograph “Language and semiotics of the body” and modern approaches to the study of the symbolic representation of the body language as a culturally specific phenomenon. Although G. E. Kreidlin himself speaks of his field as non-verbal semiotics or multimodal linguistics, the publication of the book “Language and Semiotics of the Body” can be said to mark a significant contribution to the representation of embodied semiotics in the Russian-speaking linguistic space.

Use and Function of Gestures in Persuasive Business Communication: A Contrastive Study between Spanish and English

This study sheds light on the types and frequencies of kinesic signs used in business pitches by entrepreneurs in Spanish and English, as well as the functions these nonverbal signs fulfil to contribute to the persuasiveness of their presentations. The corpus consists of 20 pitches (10 in each language) from two equivalent TV programs (the reality shows Dragons’ Den and Tu Oportunidad from the UK and Spain, respectively). A specific method of analysis previously developed by Cestero Mancera is used to identify signs in an inductive, qualitative way that allows us to apply a quantitative methodology to distinguish among the different subpopulations of the subjects studied (male and female presenters in Spanish and English presentations). The results show that facial gesturing is the most frequent type used by all presenters, although speakers of each language seem to have diverse preferences for the rest of the signs (head, hand and other body gestures). Kinesic signs apparently display the same pragmatic functions in Spanish and English, although they are more frequently used in Spanish (63.78% of the 784 signs found) than English (36.22%). Gender may be considered an influential factor when observed within the same language but not as a variable; furthermore, gender preferences are reversed when associated with language (i.e., female Spanish presentations display the most signs, while English presentations by females display the least; male presentations are in between these, there being more in Spanish than in English presentations).

VI-Assist Using AI for Visually Impaired Person

Vi-Assist is a ground-breaking tool that offers a wide range of capabilities to meet the various issues faced by people with visual impairments. Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies like YOLOv5 for object detection, BLIP for environment description, and an advanced path navigation algorithm based on A*, the app offers real-time information, enabling users to navigate, interact with their surroundings, and find objects of interest more effectively. Furthermore, Vi-Assist uses Deep Face for facial recognition, supporting users in recognizing known faces and deciphering non-verbal signs to overcome obstacles in social interactions. MIDAS for depth estimation, OpenCV, Deep Learning, PyQt, AI/ML techniques, and Eleven Labs for AI speech synthesis are all integrated into this revolutionary application, which goes beyond simple assistance to empower visually impaired people and promote confidence, independence, and enhanced standard of living overall.

Online T group experiences during COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionOnline group therapy has become more popular in the past few years. But as a result of the COVID-19-caused pandemic, it developed suddenly. Due to the conventional face-to-face format no longer being possible and the need for psychotherapists to conduct psychotherapy online, the pandemic has had significant effects on group psychotherapy and the interactions between group therapy members. While therapists are becoming accustomed to the modern form of psychotherapy, its efficacy is being questioned due to technical issues, the problem of the therapeutic alliance, the environment, the ability to read nonverbal signals, breaking group norms, etc. Since the pandemic did not abate, as a part of specialist education training groups were also held online.ObjectivesThe pandemic changed the basic settings of our Group-Analytic Training Group, forcing us to switch to online sessions. This study aimed to find personal experiences that varied throughout online and face-to-face meetings.MethodsSeven out of the twelve participants accepted to take part in the group therapy/training after it was recommended by the group leader that they write a paper. After 30 sessions, the group turned from face-to-face to online group therapy, and the members were asked how they felt about the difference between the two types of therapy. A questionnaire was produced by the group’s leader and a number of other participants, who then forwarded it through email to every group member.ResultsEveryone who participated thought that because one can more quickly pick up on non-verbal signs in a face-to-face scenario, it was simpler to notice feedback from the other group members. Most participant comments focused on the leader’s role. The majority of members claimed that taking part in the experiential group had benefited both their personal and professional lives.However they thought the in-person setting was better since it was more interesting and complex.ConclusionsSince there were no other options during the epidemic, group therapy has moved to virtual environments, although there are still a lot of problems to this method. The formation of group cohesion becomes difficult by the absence of group members’ physical presence and by the inability to completely understand nonverbal communication.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Driver Familiarity with Nonverbal Signs of Traffic and its Connection with the Role of Television Programs

The study entitled “Driver Familiarity with Nonverbal Signs of Traffic and its Connection with the Role of Television Programs”. Itis a descriptive study, with using both analytical and survey methods. The main objectives of it is to identify the roles and consequences of television programs on the identification of traffic nonverbal signs among drivers, then to analyze the meanings of traffic icon signs in Kalar district. The sample of the study consists of all traffic signs in Garmian administration, including (26) signs in the main streets of Kalar that were taken through boards sampling, and (506) drivers who have (private and public licenses)formthe both (maleand female)genders in Kalar district who were randomly selected. In conclusion, several scientific results are found such as that each nonverbal traffic in terms of color, shape and content has its own linguistic meaning and direct a specific message for the drivers’ safety in the different areas. The research also shows that the specific traffic television programs have high positive impact in familiarizing drivers with the various content of the traffic signs. it also clarifies that there are some other nonverbal signs that the television programs have paid little attention to introducetheir contentswhich the majority of drivers do not understand the messages behind them.

Suicide warning signs that are challenging to recognize: a psychological autopsy study of Korean adolescents

BackgroundIn South Korea, the leading cause of youth death has been suicide for about 20 years. In this study, we conducted a multi-method psychological autopsy to identify the psychiatric diagnosis, developmental history, personality traits, family history, school life, warning signs of suicide, and risk factors related to suicide for the first time in Korea.MethodsThis was a postmortem, retrospective, and descriptive study of 36 adolescents who died by suicide between August 2015 and July 2021 in South Korea. We obtained qualitative and quantitative data from the Korean Psychological Autopsy of Adolescent, conducted by the Suicide and School Mental Health Institute, the official student mental health policy-focused research institute of the Korean Ministry of Education.ResultsThe adolescents comprised equal percentage of girls and boys. Approximately half of the deaths (55.6%) occurred at home and most (72.2%) involved jumping from a height. Most of the adolescents (97.2%) had one major psychiatric disorder before death, with depressive disorder being the most prevalent (75%). They were at a high risk for internet addiction before death. The most common personality trait was avoidance (28.6%), followed by submissiveness (27.3%). Half of the parents reported that the adolescents were satisfied with their school life and the teachers observed that they had no behavioral problems. One year before death, seven (19.4%) adolescents injured themselves and five (13.9%) had attempted suicide. Most of the deceased (80.6%) had expressed suicide warning signs to their families within one year before death. Adolescents had a long experience of family-related adverse events.ConclusionsMost of the adolescents had mental health disorders and expressed suicidal intentions using verbal and nonverbal signs. However, it was challenging for families to recognize the risk signs because of adolescents’ personality traits or a good school life. To prevent adolescent suicide, adolescents, parents, and teachers need to be educated to recognize signs of suicide warning signs and equipped to guide adolescents to appropriate care.

Research on National Image Construction and Communication Strategy of Official Media Short Video from Multi-modal Perspective

With the continuous change of media and information technology, electronic media integrates verbal signs with non-verbal signs, and the mode of information transmission has evolved from a single text discourse mode to a multi-modal discourse mode. In addition, as a new multi-modal communication mode, short video is widely used by mainstream media as a communication tool. In the fierce international competition, how to construct national image through official media short video is a problem that needs to be clarified and solved. Therefore, from the multi-modal perspective, this paper selects the short video of People's Daily Tik Tok account to deeply analyze the change of communication mode and the construction of national image with the development of The Times, and explores communication strategies conducive to the construction of national image.

The Effect of Non-Verbal Communication on the Effectiveness of Classroom Teaching: The Case of BTCA Students at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha

The study on the effect of non-verbal communication on the effectiveness of classroom teaching was conducted at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha main campus. The study used a sample of 100 respondents who were selected randomly from BTCA students in the communication skills module at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha. The study used an explanatory sequential design that allowed the combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques in two phases, Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires, while qualitative data were collected through interviews. Validity and reliability were tested by using Cronbach alpha and content validity index respectively. These tests yielded 0.79 and 0.85 respectively indicating that the tools and their findings were reliable and valid. Data analysis was done by using simple linear regression and content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The study found that there is a significant moderate positive relationship between the use of non-verbal communication on the effectiveness of classroom teaching. This study has found that effective use of non-verbal communication in classroom teaching leads to effective classroom teaching. Furthermore, the study has found that some students are not aware of the use of non-verbal communication signs. Also, it was found that some teachers use irrelevant non-verbal communication. The current study recommends that teachers should use non-verbal communication effectively but students must be trained on the usefulness of non-verbal communication in learning. Furthermore, there is a need for teachers to use relevant non-verbal communication signs in teaching as respondents said that there are signs that are considered to be non-verbal communication but when teachers use them students never understand them.