American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) 2017 American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER) e-ISSN: 2320-0847 p-ISSN : 2320-0936 Volume-6, Issue-7, pp-88-91 www.ajer.org Research Paper Open Access www.ajer.org Page 88 Non-Verbal Communication: The Part it Plays in Interpersonal Communication * Dr. Chipo Mutongi * PhD, MSc, MBA, BA, HND-LIS, Dip-Edu, Dip-LIS, Dip-P Magnt, Dip- Salaries Admn. Zimbabwe Open University Abstract: Life was not going to be what is without communication. Communication plays a great role in making this world a better place to live and it makes it possible for people to work properly as well as make contributions to this world. Communication is enhanced by non verbal communication. Non verbal communication can make people even who do not speak the same language understand each other. However, the non verbal communication can vary from place to place due to cultural differences. Keywords: Communication, Nonverbal communication. Interpersonal communication, culture, cultural differences, information. I. INTRODUCTION You cannot not communicate (Grossman, 2012). Everything one does or does not do is actually a way of communicating. An important part of interpersonal communication is nonverbal communication (Robbins and Coulter, 2009:333). The issue of communication is paramount in the day to day business operations and social interactions. This article explores non-verbal communication and establishes the part that non-verbal communication plays in interpersonal communication. It demonstrates the approaches of different cultures when it comes to distance between people, eye contact, time and touching. II. WHAT IS COMMUNICATION Communication is the transferring of information and understanding from one person to another (Kinicki and Williams, 2011). Jones and Gorge (2011) aver that communication is the sharing of information between two or more individuals or group to reach a common understanding. Cole (2002) defines communication as the process of creating, translating and interpreting ideas, facts, opinions and feelings. It is the process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behaviour. Communication is therefore a process of creating, transmitting and interpreting massages. One is regarded as good communicator if she/he is able to transmit the message accurately. Thus there is need for the right medium of communication in the least time. III. NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION Non verbal communication means all communication that occurs without words. (Pettit 2006: 648). Giddens (2009:252) posits that “social interactions require numerous forms of non -verbal communication- the exchange of information and meaning through facial expressions, gestures and movements of the body”. It consists a large proportion of communication and assists in how people form our impression or other people’s impression. IV. TYPES OF NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION There are many different types of non verbal communication as illustrated in the following diagram:.