Final answer:
It is false that para-verbal communication and body language play a minor role in communication. These aspects are essential in conveying and interpreting messages, particularly in making a good impression and ensuring accurate communication across different cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that para-verbal communication and body language play a very minor role in communication is False. Para-verbal communication includes elements such as tone, pace, and loudness of voice, while body language involves gestures, facial expressions, posture, and other non-verbal cues. Together, they significantly impact how messages are conveyed and interpreted.
Body language, which is a form of non-verbal communication, is vital in making a positive impression. It includes aspects such as facial expressions, like smiling or frowning, gestures, and posture, which are highly influential in the way our communications are received. Para-language factors like tone and accent further shape the meaning behind our words.
Differences in body language and paralanguage can be prominent when comparing cross-cultural communication. What is considered a positive gesture in one culture may be offensive in another. For instance, a thumbs-up gesture might be seen as friendly in the US, but it can be taken as an insult in parts of Russia and Australia. Moreover, language shifts according to medium, with written communication lacking the rich non-verbal cues of in-person interactions.