The Communicative Meaning of Silence

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The Communicative Meanings of Silence and the Difference Meanings of Silence between Western and Eastern cultures I. Introduction Generally, verbal communication plays a major role in determining responses in interpersonal communication situations. Those who are able to express their feelings fluently in words seem to be much admired and well-accepted, especially in Western and American countries. While aware of the obvious benefit of communicating with words, many of us are rarely sensitive to the absence of words and usually equate silence with a lack of communication. There are many visual nonverbal cues that help silence to function: body movements, such as a shrug of the shoulders and a clenched fist; and changes of facial expressions, such as frowning. However, expressionless silence can still be considered a paramount factor in many communicative situations. Silence comes from the Latin word, silens, meaning to be still, quiet, or at rest. Other words related to it are: calm, peace, serenity, tranquility, poise, composure, noiselessness, hush, and solitude. In his description of stillness, Romano Guardini cuts to its very essence: “Stillness is the tranquility of the inner life; the quiet at the depths of its hidden streams. It is a collected, total presence, a being ‘all there,’ receptive, alert; ready . . . It is when the soul abandons the restlessness of purposeful activity.” When we closely examine one of silence’s synonyms, calmness, we get a better idea of why our present age yearns to cultivate it. In Greek, the word calm is karein, meaning “the heat of the day.” It signifies a resting place at high noon, a spot preferable placid, peaceful, and cool. Silence is pictured as a shelter protecting us against that which beats on our senses and breaks us down. II. The communicative meanings of silence When you put the words "meaning" and

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