Analysis of Non Verbal Cues among the Abasamia Community of Busia County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2015-09
Authors
Wamakobe, Dolphine Ogutu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The central factor in communication is the intelligibility that exists between the parties
concerned. The concept of communication involves not only the verbal message, but the
non-verbal message as well. Having intermingled with various ethnic communities,
Abasamia picked up non-verbal signs of human communication which they have tried to
live with over the centuries. This study sought to establish the non verbal cues used by
the Abasamia community of Busia County, Kenya. In addition, the study also sought to
assess how verbal cues help demystify the non-verbal cues among the Abasamia
community. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to identify and
present the nonverbal signals used by the Abasamia Community in communication; to
establish the verbal cues that complement the non-verbal cues and; to interpret the choice of non-verbal cues in communication among the Abasamia Community. The study was premised on the Semiotics theory as the theoretical underpinning. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study. The study employed purposive and simple random sampling technique to sample 48 respondents who participated in the study. Data collection instruments used were photographs, interview schedule and questionnaires,using a drop-and-pick-later procedure for questionnaire and note-taking for interview guides. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics where the findings were coded,cleaned and then presented in tables, .graphs, narratives, discussions and excerpts according to themes. The findings revealed that a variety of nonverbal signs were frequently used within the Abasamia community. The respondents of the study were
found to engage in nonverbal cues to communicate, repeat, complement, duplicate,
assent, regulate, contradict, indicate relational standing, demonstrate and maintain
cultural norms and communicate emotions. The study concludes that indeed nonverbal
signals are used in communication among the Abasamia. The nonverbal cues are
complemented by verbal cues to enhance reinforcement and clarity and that the choice of
non-verbal signals is motivated by certain factors such as culture, norms, occasion, mood
and intimacy. The study recommends among other issues documenting the use of
nonverbal cues among local communities such as Abasamia as part of enhancing and
preserving culture and national heritage.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts Degree of Kenyatta University, September 2015