“Communication Challenges for Non-Native Speakers” - Professor M.S.Rao

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit” – Aristotle


Any communication contains 7 percent oral language, 38 percent voice modulation and 55 percent body language. It is clear from this that body language plays a crucial role in effective communication and it is unfortunate that people fail to understand its impact on communication. Besides, body language is culture specific. What is considered as an acceptable body language in one culture may be treated as an unacceptable one in other cultures as interpretation of body movements differs from culture to culture.

When speakers communicate in their non-native languages we find them using excessive body language as they want to emphasize more to get their message across. They are very much careful in articulation of their ideas and thoughts. They will be over conscious while speaking as they don’t want to make any mistakes. They use more of hand gestures and raise their shoulders as per the context and content. For a listener who is a native speaker it appears abnormal. However, this is the reason why they use more of their body language. The non native speakers are more careful in articulating their ideas with others. However, few receivers and the observers who are native speakers find at fault for excessive usage of body language of non-native speakers.

Although non-native speakers have rich knowledge they find it tough to communicate effectively. Hence, non-native speakers can smile to overcome their inability of language barriers to connect with native speakers. And it is well known that smile is a small curve that sets everything alright. It connects with audiences quickly thus building rapport and getting across the content successfully.

It is not proper if native speakers expect non-native speakers to communicate the way they communicate. They have to respect the non-native speakers as the latter put extra efforts to speak.

Hereafter don’t misunderstand when non-native speakers use more of body language to get across their message. Just empathize with them and applaud their extra efforts to speak in a language that is not their mother tongue. And also be liberal and tolerant when they make mistakes. Above all, put more efforts to listen to them as it culminates in effective communication.




Professor M.S.Rao
Founder and Chief Consultant,
MSR Leadership Consultants, India
Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com
Where Knowledge is Wealth
Email: profmsr7@gmail.com



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