Page 21 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Communication Skills-II

notes Space Language

The space around its contents convey a definite meaning. Of course, it requires some effort on
our part to arrange them meaningfully, and on the part of others to understand or interpret the
meaning. In other words, it tells that how people communicate with space. How close or far
they stand in relation to another person, where they sit in a room, or how they arrange the office
furniture which has a real impact on communication.
One of the major writers on this type of communication is anthropologist Edward T. Hall. He has
identified three major types of space: feature-fixed space, semi-fixed feature space, and personal
space.
1. Feature-fixed space: Feature-fixed space refers to buildings and other fairly permanent
structure, such as walls. The manner in which buildings are laid out and the sequence
of rooms and offices have a considerable influence on communication. The person will
probably communicate more with those individuals whose offices are closer to his own
rather than with those further from him. There are evidences which reveal that bigger the
fixed place, the higher will be the status of the individual in an organization.
2. Semi-fixed feature space: The placement and arrangement of moveable objects, such as desk
and chairs, is referred to as semi-fixed feature space. Currently, a great deal of emphasis
is placed on how business offices are arranged. In addition, the quality of furniture has
considerable influence on the status of the individuals and this is clearly communicated
non-verbally. Frequently, the superior person will come from behind the desk and his face-
to-face with the subordinate to make it easier to communicate.
3. Personal space: Our interaction with the people around us has rather a well-defined or
well-understood spatial dimension. Conversely we can say that the spatial dimension or
distance between us and other people tells us something important about our relations
and the nature of our communication with them. This branch of proxemics has come
to be regarded as “personal space language”. Edward T. Hall has done very useful and
interesting work in this area. Placing ourselves in the centre we can present the space
around us in the form of the following concentric circles:
(a) Intimate zone – physical contact/touch to 18 inches.

(b) Personal zone – 18 inches to 4 feet.
(c) Social zone – 4 to 12 feet.
(d) Public zone – 12 feet to as far as we can see and hear.
(a) Intimate distance/zone: This ranges from actual physical contact to about 18 inches
from another person. Communication and interaction within this distance are
intimate activities. Mostly, only our family members, closest friends and selected
people enter this area. Those selected people are indeed ‘special’ people, whatever
the reasons for their special status. It has special significance for our communication
with these people.
In the language used within this small, intimate, perhaps private circle, not many
words are used. In organizations, confidential information is often communicated
within the intimate distance. When two friends meet each other after a long gap,
they hug each other. Eye contact, handshake, pat on the back or shoulders is quite
noticeable. The major form of intimate contact in business organization is of course,
the handshake. Most people respond positively to men who give a firm handshake.
(b) Personal distance/zone: This range from 18 inches to four feet. Interaction in this zone
includes causes and friendly conversation including conversation with close friends,

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