Use of Time and Paralanguage in Work Place Interaction: A Case of Narok Teachers’ Training College
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Okemba, Lore Catherine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The importance of nonverbal communication cannot be underestimated. A
significant part of human communication does not rely on words, but nonverbal
signs such as time, tone of voice, body movements and touch among others.
Nonverbal communication is a powerful part of all social and professional
discourse. The objectives of the study were to establish the awareness at Narok
Teachers’ Training College that time and paralanguage are nonverbal cues,
ascertain gender and age differences in nonverbal behaviour, and determine how
nonverbal cues enhance communicative competence in work place interaction. The
researcher uses The Semiotics Theory which is the study of signs in relation to
their mode of transmission, as well as the Tubbs Model of Communication which
stipulates that communication is a non-static process of a sender/receiver
attempting to stimulate meaning in the mind of another. The study was carried out
in Narok Teachers’ Training College in Lower Melili location, Narok County.
Respondents were purposively sampled while data collection was carried out using
questionnaires augmented with participant observation. The data was analysed
both qualitatively and quantitatively. In as much as absolute mastery of the use of
time and paralanguage is not an absolute guarantee, improved consciousness in
what one intends to communicate using these non-verbal cues is important in the
workplace. The research outcomes were consolidated through coding, tabulation
and use of frequency histograms. Further clarification of data was made in
narrative form. Some of the findings showed that, professional competence is not
marked by being loud. In addition, both male and female gender can be
authoritative without necessarily being loud, since loudness is not a sign of
dominance or self-confidence, but could actually be a face-saving effect for
aggression and insecurity. On the other hand, use and perception of time revealed
that belated or real-time responses were majorly based relationships rather than the
tasks to be performed.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of a Master of Arts Degree in English and Linguistics of Kenyatta University, June, 2022
Keywords
Use of Time, Paralanguage, Work Place Interaction, Narok Teachers’ Training College