Non-verbal Communication

Visual Tactile Olfactory Gustatory

Visual

Communication does not only utilize sounds to express meaning, but a variety of additional techniques such as gestures or facial expressions. Their function is to capture the attention of the interlocutor and then focus it on a particular object or event. Gestures and bodily movements may vary across languages and are often dependent on the topic to be communicated.

Tactile

One way of using the tactile (touch) communication channel is realized by Braille, the "writing" system for the blind.

Olfactory

The olfactory (smell) communication mode is used relatively rarely. Yet, it is possible to communicate via smell, for example, one can use the smell of flowers to create a certain mood.

Gustatory

Even though the gustatory (taste) communication mode is marginal in comparison with the other modes, one can communicate via taste, e.g. offering a distasteful meal or a salty lemonade.