Why Gen-Y Johnny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues

An interesting essay by Mark Bauerlein of Emory University in the September 9th, 2009 edition of the Wall Street Journal, Why Gen-Y Johnny Can't Read Nonverbal Cues.

His observations on the importance of context in communication ties to the earlier post quoting E.D. Hirsch. Bauerlein focuses on the physical context of communication whereas Hirsch addresses the knowledge context of communication but they amount to the same issue - how do we effectively and efficiently communicate? and the conclusion that there is a lot more context there than simply decoding the words.

Back in 1959, anthropologist Edward T. Hall labeled these expressive human attributes "the Silent Language." Hall passed away last month in Santa Fe at age 95, but his writings on nonverbal communication deserve continued attention. He argued that body language, facial expressions and stock mannerisms function "in juxtaposition to words," imparting feelings, attitudes, reactions and judgments in a different register.

This is why, Hall explained, U.S. diplomats could enter a foreign country fully competent in the native language and yet still flounder from one miscommunication to another, having failed to decode the manners, gestures and subtle protocols that go along with words. And how could they, for the "silent language" is acquired through acculturation, not schooling. Not only is it unspoken; it is largely unconscious. The meanings that pass through it remain implicit, more felt than understood.