paralanguage

[ par-uh-lang-gwij ]

nounLinguistics.
  1. vocal features that accompany speech and contribute to communication but are not generally considered to be part of the language system, as vocal quality, loudness, and tempo: sometimes also including facial expressions and gestures.

Origin of paralanguage

1
First recorded in 1955–60; para-1 + language

Words Nearby paralanguage

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British Dictionary definitions for paralanguage

paralanguage

/ (ˈpærəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ) /


noun
  1. linguistics nonverbal elements in speech, such as intonation, that may affect the meaning of an utterance

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