Final answer:
The claim that verbal tones and body language do not express our feelings as much as words is false. Non-verbal communication, including body language and tone of voice, significantly contributes to how we express emotions and convey messages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false; verbal tones and body language express a significant portion of our feelings and are crucial aspects of communication, sometimes even more than the actual words used. Research has shown sensitivity to body language and emotional cues conveyed through non-verbal communication, even if these cues are not consciously registered. Political debates and presidential addresses often demonstrate how vocal delivery and physical expressions convey sincerity, anger, sorrow, or optimism.
Non-verbal communication is symbolic, learned through culture, and plays an essential role in social interactions. It is integral not only in creating first impressions but also in everyday communication, where gestures and facial expressions can vary widely in meaning depending on the cultural context. Understanding and interpreting body language is a learned skill that is heavily reliant on cultural norms.
Verbal communication is complemented by non-verbal cues such as posture, movement, and facial expressions. These cues can provide additional layers of meaning to a spoken message. In multicultural workplaces, there is often a balance required between being direct and diplomatic, a balance that is maintained through a combination of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies.