Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in interpersonal communication. This is even more visible when individuals do not share a common language. Outsourced (2006), explores the journey of an American manager named Todd Anderson. His company, Seattle-based Company Western Novelty, outsources its call center to Gharapuri, India and Todd must travel to India in order to train the new staff and manager. Nonverbal communication is present throughout the movie as Todd, works through the language barrier and is introduced to a new culture, values and rituals. In this paper, nonverbal communication demonstrated in the movie is analyzed and discussed as it relates the research of Argyle (1988), Archer (1997), et al.
Adler (2011) defines nonverbal communication as messages expressed through non-linguistic means. Research has shown that in communication, the verbal content only is only responsible for 7% of the message, while vocal cues such as pitch and intonation account for 38%, and facial expression an overwhelming 55% (Mehrabian, 1968). Nonverbal communication can be performed through facial expressions, proximity, and body movements. Argyle (1988) describes the five primary functions of Nonverbal Behavior – 1) Expression of Emotion, 2) Communication of Interpersonal Attitudes, 3) Accompany and Support Speech, 4) Self-Presentation, 5) Rituals. In the movie Outsourced (2006), examples of each of these functions of nonverbal behavior are observed.
The face plays a particularly important role in showing emotion. Ekman (1982) classified facial expressions of emotion into six categories: happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust/contempt. Throughout the movie Outsourced (2006) emotions were expressed by the characters through their facial expressions, body movements, and voice. Early in the movie, Todd visits the Indian call center for the first time. As he walks around the office Todd stops in his tracks with a
References: Adler, R. (2011). Understanding Human Communication. 11th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press Archer, D. (1997). Unspoken Diversity: Cultural Differences in Gestures. Qualitative Sociology, 20(1), 79-105. Argyle, M. (1988). Bodily Communication, 2nd ed. New York, NY: Methuen. Ekman, P. (1982). Emotion in the Human Face, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Mehrabian, A. Communication without words, Psychology Today, 1968, 2 (4), 53-55. Non-Verbal Communication. Retrieved from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTGOVACC/Resources/NonverbalCommweb.pdf Richmond, V. P., & McCroskey, J. C. (2004). Nonverbal Behavior in Interpersonal Relations. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon/Pearson Education.