Paralinguistic Features of Language In face-to-face communication speakers often alter their to n es of voice or change their physical postures in order to convey messages. These means are called paralinguistic features of language, which fall into two categories. First category: vocal paralinguistic features A. (1) : to express attitude or intention . Examples : —whispering: need for secrecy —breathiness: deep emotion —(2) : unimportance — nasality: anxiety — extra lip-rounding: greater intimacy Second category: physical paralinguistic features A. F acial expressions . a. (3) —smiling: signal of pleasure or welcome b. less common expressions —eyebrow - raising: surprise or interest —lip - biting: (4) B. C ulture -bound g estures . a. British culture —shrugging shoulders: (5) —scratching head: puzzlement b. Other cultures —placing hand upon heart: (6) —pointing at nose: secret C. P roximity, posture and echoing . a. Proximity : person, culture and ( 7 ) specific —proximity : physical distance between speakers —closeness: intimacy or threat —( 8 ) : formality or absence of interest b. P osture —hunched shoulders or a hanging head: to indicate (9) —direct level eye contact: to express an open or challenging attitude c. echoing: imitation of similar posture —(10) : aid in communication —conscious imitation: mockery