非言语信息在网络视频交流中的功能及尴尬处境

Function and Dilemma of Nonverbal Cues in Video-mediated Communication

网络交流大致经历了从文本交流到视频交流的发展过程，视频交流中因视听觉通道的融入而极大丰富了交流过程中的非言语信息的种类与数量，但由于技术因素所限，还无法融入触觉及味觉所能感受到的非言语信息。本文在有关非言语信息功能研究的基础上分析了非言语信息在网络视频交流过程中的交际功能及其尴尬处境。本研究发现，视频交流中的非言语信息主要有两个功能：传播态度和情感；补充和替代言语交流。网络视频交流中的非言语信息是把双刃剑，依据情境的不同而产生不同的作用，既能对网络视频交流的效果产生促进作用，也能产生抑制作用。由此，视频交流并不适用于所有的交流目的、情境及用户。

Online communication has experienced the change from text-based communication to video-mediated communication(VMC). As a result of integrating with audio-visual channel, video-mediated communication greatly enriches the types and quantity of nonverbal cues during the communication process. However, due to technical limitation, it cannot suit more nonverbal cues that we can experience through the olfactory and tactile channels. Based on the study of the function of nonverbal cues, this paper analyses the communicative function and dilemma of nonverbal information in video-mediated communication. According to existing research results, nonverbal information has two main functions: to disseminate emotion and attitude and to supplement or replace verbal communication. The nonverbal information in video-mediated communication is a double-edged sword and has different effects depending on the different contexts. It not only can promote the effect of video-mediated communication, but also can produce negative effects in some cases. At last, this study concludes that video-mediated communication is not applicable to all the purpose of communication, contexts and users.