Non-verbal interaction: Interpreting pauses and silences during communication

In the blog last week, we explored the influence of culture on the transmission and interpretation of non-verbal emotional signalling during interpersonal communication. This week we will conclude this current series on non-verbal interaction by investigating the purpose, intension, and consequences of periods of silence during cross-cultural encounters.

Pauses and silences during interpersonal communication

Another fascinating area of non-verbal silent language signalling is the deployment of pauses and silences during interpersonal communication. First, pauses have several important functions that can significantly enhance the transmission of information to the listener.

For example, pauses are used to stress key vocabulary, complex concepts, and to highlight some central point in a proposed line of argument. They can also be used to allow a period for the audience to reflect on controversial positions or detailed information. Finally, they are also effective in creating a sense of suspense or to just highlight the logical transition between a sequence detailed information.

In contrast, the deliberate introduction of silences can purposefully build an atmosphere of tension, uneasiness, or curiosity in an audience. Then, such interventions are also employed as a technique to provoke the audience into thinking more deeply about a claim, some element of supporting evidence, or the main line of argument proposed by the speaker.

Variations in the purpose of silences across cultures

The interpretation, meaning, and contextual relevance of silence varies significantly across cultures. In terms of what might be called the underlying philosophical orientation, in India a common saying is that speech is silver while silence is gold. Moreover, the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu argued that ‘He who knows does not speak, while he who speaks does not know’. Next, in an Arab cultural context, a saying in common circulation is that silence is ‘The best way to reply to a fool’. Finally, and arguably even more thought provoking, a West African proverb states that silence is also speech.

Next, and staying broadly in the Asian context, employees and students will typically remain silent as a sign of differential respect in the presence of figures of authority unless specifically called upon to contribute. In addition, silence also plays a nuanced yet powerful role in a subtle expression of group cohesion and shared values. Consequently, they also act to promote harmony by allowing members to comfortably align shared expectations, thoughts, and emotions without the requirement for explicit verbal comments.

Perhaps of more importance in some cultural contexts, the strategic placement of silences is also a method used to avoid conflict while lowering the risk of an unintentional loss of face in either the speaker or audience, especially in otherwise stressful or challenging circumstances.

This is highlighted, for example, in the ways in which those in senior positions in Japan will introduce a short moment of silence to express doubt about a proposal or even as a subtle indirect signal to express an outright rejection. Here it is important to note that, in an East Asian cultural context, a direct statement of rejection in the form of an explicit expression of ‘no’ is always avoided to maintain harmony while sidestepping any possibility of interpersonal conflict.

To conclude, the use of pauses and silences reflect a tactical deployment of non-verbal signalling that have a clear purpose in relation to some desired outcome during the process of interpersonal communication. However, especially with regards to the subtle use of silences, a lack of familiarity with the intension of this non-verbal interpersonal signalling style can result in significant misunderstandings or even conflict in a cross-cultural context.

For those wishing to learn more about the purpose and value of silence, please refer to the book, ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking’, by Susan Cain.

Finally, in the new blog series commencing next week, we shall begin an exploration of several contrasting models of cross-cultural dimensions and behavioural expectations with an initial introductory overview of this topic.

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Question 1

Are there any advantages for the speaker in occasionally pausing when communicating?

Question 2

Why might periods of silence trigger misunderstandings during cross-cultural interactions?

Question 3

What are the key distinctive differences in behavioural expectations and values across cultures?

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We shall explore Question 3 in the next blog.