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How People Communicate: When There is No Shared Language | ||
| Journal of Language Studies | ||
| Volume 9, Issue 3, Part 3, September 2025, Pages 247-263 PDF (624.59 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.25130/Lang.9.3.P3.13 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sama’a Sate’a Al-Kumait1; Israa Bahram Azeez2; Hana Qaiser Hamdi2 | ||
| 1Asst.Lect. in University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities | ||
| 2University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction, serving as a means to express thoughts, emotions, facts and ideas and is merely a basic human need. However, when individuals find themselves in situations where a shared language (refers to individuals improving understanding amongst themselves relying on language (e.g. spoken, text) to assist them communicate more effectively) is absent, they are forced to explore alternative methods of communication. Nonetheless, non-verbal communication can lead to significant barriers in effective interaction. While it can facilitate some level of connection, the potential for misinterpretation and cultural differences can complicate communication efforts. Non-verbal cues, gestures, and body posture become primary tools in bridging the gap between individuals from different linguistic backgrounds. This form of communication transcends language barriers, allowing for meaningful connections to be established and relationships to flourish. Hence, the research aims to uncover how nonverbal signals contribute to the overall message conveyed in various contexts, backgrounds, and cultures. This integrated approach allows for a more holistic interpretation of interactions, enhancing our knowledge of the complexities of human behavior. This research explores the intricate ways in which humans navigate communication in the absence of a shared language, highlighting the significance of non-verbal communication, the difference between language and communication, the characteristics of human language, and the importance of multi-modal communication in fostering understanding and connection between individuals from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, it explains how language barriers pose significant challenges to effective communication. This study employs a multimodal framework to examine the data, incorporating Knapp and Hall’s (2002) Model of Nonverbal Communication, the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), and contextual analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of nonverbal cues in five tiktok videos of the television show Arabs Got Talent. In conclusion, it can be deduced that communication without a shared language often relies heavily on non-verbal cues. Non-verbal communication plays a vital role in all interactions and adds richness and depth to interpersonal interactions, conveying emotion and intentions and facilitating effective communication even in the absence of shared language. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Communication; language; language barrier; multi-modal communication; non-verbal cues | ||
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