LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 13:12 December 2013
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Non-Verbal Communication:
The Use of Chromatics in Toni Morrison's Novels

Dr. Swati Samantaray

Abstract

Nonverbal communication is an indispensable element of human behaviour. Chromatics or the use of colours is a vital aspect of nonverbal communication which is used as a predominant technique in Morrison's fictions. Language is a set of words/phrases and nonverbal cues with meaning behind them, and literature is the manipulation and use of those words or phrases and nonverbal cues. In literature, language is meticulously crafted. This paper analyses how language skills are harnessed to understand and interpret a work of literature. It co-relates nonverbal communication (most particularly chromatics) and literature, with special reference to Morrison's novels.

Keywords: Nonverbal communication, chromatics, symbolism.

Rubric of Nonverbal Communication

Words normally express ideas, whereas nonverbal expressions convey attitudes and emotions. A message is reinforced when the verbal and nonverbal parts of the message complement each other and send the same message. Nonverbal communication is an indispensable and all-pervasive element of human behaviour and may be broadly classified into the following categories:

• Kinesis
• Proxemics
• Oculesics
• Haptics
• Paralanguage
• Olfactics
• Chronemics
• Personal appearance
• Chromatics

Chromatics and Arts

Chromatics is a powerful means of communication. From time immemorial humans have been using colours to convey messages. Different colours are associated with different behaviour patterns, attitudes and cultural backgrounds. Colours have psychological effect and are associated with various moods and feelings. They are used for identification and classification. Teams, regiments and countries have their combination of colours on their flag. Even the cosmetics industry uses colour for soaps and shampoos.

Artists and interior decorators believe that different colours project different meanings. Every society uses chromatics, but they are culture-specific. For example, in the United States it is common to wear black when one is in mourning, while in some locations (like in Odisha) people wear white when they are in mourning. Communication is inseparable from culture. We must always consider cultural differences while sending or receiving nonverbal messages. A message that has a particular meaning in one society can have a completely different meaning in another society.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. Swati Samantaray
Associate Professor
School of Humanities
KIIT University
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
PIN 751024
swati.sray@gmail.com
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