back-channel
Covert communication route
Back-channel refers to unofficial or informal communication that bypasses normal channels.
Diplomats use back-channel negotiations to explore positions without public commitment: Back-channel talks preceded the formal peace agreement.
In conversation, back-channel responses are the small signals—mm-hmm, yeah, right—that show you're listening without interrupting.
As a verb, to back-channel is to communicate through such informal means.
Brief head tilt
- mm-hmmVocal nod
- uh-huhInformal vocal agreement
- smilePleased facial expression
- gestureCommunicative body movement
gaze · frown · shrug · grin · smirk · grimace · glance · murmur
Not formally recognized
- informalRelaxed, not official
- secretConcealed information
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
- indirectNot straight or immediate
intermediary · diplomatic · negotiation · liaison · emissary · go-between · confidential · clandestine
Confirmation of receipt
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
empathy · rapport · engagement · validation · responsiveness · turn-taking · interactional
nod
Brief head tilt
gesture · gaze · frown · shrug · grin · smirk · grimace · glance · murmur · grunt
unofficial
Not formally recognized
indirect · intermediary · diplomatic · negotiation · liaison · emissary · go-between · confidential · clandestine
acknowledgment
Confirmation of receipt
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
reinforcement · empathy · rapport · engagement · validation · responsiveness · turn-taking · interactional
- diplomacyembassy, ambassador, ambassadors, treaty, treaties
- influence peddlinginfluence peddling, backscratching, quid pro quo, kickbacks, payoffs
back-channelpublic communication
Messages for general audiences
open channel · public forum · open dialogue · transparent · above board
back-channelface-to-face
Direct personal encounter
direct line · main channel · straight talk · front door · direct approach
back, channel, feedback, channels, channeling, channelled, channeled, channelling, backchat