backchannel
Unofficial communication route
A backchannel is an unofficial or informal route for communication, often running parallel to official channels: Diplomats used backchannels to negotiate before the formal talks began.
In conversation, backchannels are the small responses—"uh-huh," "right," "mm-hmm"—that signal you're listening without interrupting.
As a verb, to backchannel is to communicate through such informal routes.
Vocal nod
- uh-huhInformal vocal agreement
- noddingMoving head affirmatively
- listeningAttending to sound
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
encouragement · attentive · acknowledgment · responsive · engagement · rapport · empathy · validation
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- secretConcealed information
- unofficialNot formally recognized
- informalRelaxed, not official
negotiations · intermediary · liaison · envoy · emissary · behind-the-scenes · confidential · discreet
Brief head tilt
- smilePleased facial expression
- gestureCommunicative body movement
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
- gazeFixed, intent look
Text-based chat protocol
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- side-channelUnintended data emanation route
- out-of-bandVia separate communication channel
- metadataDescriptive information about content
mm-hmm
Vocal nod
affirmation · encouragement · attentive · acknowledgment · responsive · engagement · rapport · empathy · validation · mirroring
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- secretConcealed information
- unofficialNot formally recognized
informal · negotiations · intermediary · liaison · envoy · emissary · behind-the-scenes · confidential · discreet · backstairs
nod
Brief head tilt
- smilePleased facial expression
- gestureCommunicative body movement
- attentivenessConcentrated awareness of surroundings
gaze · body-language · posture · mirroring · thumbs-up
IRC
Text-based chat protocol
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- side-channelUnintended data emanation route
- out-of-bandVia separate communication channel
metadata · signaling · protocol · exfiltration · steganography
- Cold War Diplomacydétente, detente, arms control, summits, SALT talks
- US-Irannuclear deal, hostage crisis, Iran-Contra, diplomatic ties, Tehran
- vocal cuesintonation, pitch, tone, inflection, prosody
- discoursediscussion, discourse, text analysis, dialogue, cohesion
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- speechspeech, speaking, talk, diction, conversation
backchannelofficial channels
Authorized pathways for requests
chain of command · formal communication · official correspondence · diplomatic channels · diplomatic channel
backchannelopen communication
Unrestricted exchange of information
on the record · public announcement · open forum · public discourse · press release
backchanneldirect line
Immediate communication channel
face-to-face · straight talk · direct approach · main channel