One of the first things we think about when we hear the word comnmnication is language. There are thousands of languages spoken around the world today. In fact, linguists say that there may be as many as 10,000.

 

　　Speaking with others is an important means of communication, but we can also communicate without using words, that is by nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication includes voice quality, eye movement, facial expression and body movements such as gestures and change in body position. But many people do not realize that everyone uses nonverbal communication. Sometimes, we "say" more with our faces and gestures than we do with our voices.

 

　　Books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and telephone are other means of communication. Today we can also communicate over long distance with the help of communications satellites. Some scientists say that soon machines will be developed for sending messages through the earth. The technology necessary to build these machines is very complex. But the language we speak every day is much more complex than the most modern communications technology.