(i) Explain briefly semantic/hinguistic barries with suitable examples.

(ii) What do the following aspects of body language suggest? Erect posture, open palms, yawning, raising an eyebrow.

i) Language barrier is a figurative phrase used primarily to indicate the difficulties faced when people who have no language in common attempt to communicate with each other.

Typically, little communication occurs unless one or both parties learn a new language, which requires an investment of much time and effort. People travelling abroad often encounter a language barrier.

Semantic barriers to communication are the symbolic obstacles that distorts the sent message in some other way than intended, making the message difficult to understand For example, the meaning of braces which is used to define the metallic structure to adjust teeth in American English whereas it means a part of clothing in British English.

(ii) Erect posture-Good posture signifies health, high spirits, confidence, pride, dominance and a body that is in control of itself. Open palms usually have a positive effect on people. It’s effective in making amends or closing a sale. Combined with outstretched arms, it communicates acceptance, openness and trust worthiness.

Yawning people connect yawning with boredom and this is correct in some cases but not all of them. Sometimes people yawn because they are bored, not interested or not that excited while in other times people yawn because of other reasons. For example, people can yawn when they receive too much information without having time to process it, when they are tired or when they are sleepy.

Raising of eyebrows- Raising the eyebrows asks for attention from others and can signal general emphasis. When a person is surprised, their eyebrows are often raised. This typically happens as a part of opening the eyes wider, perhaps to see more clearly what is going on. The more the surprise. The higher the eyebrows are raised.