nonlinguistic
Beyond verbal expression
Nonlinguistic refers to communication or expression that doesn't involve language—gestures, facial expressions, images, or sounds that convey meaning without words.
In research contexts, nonlinguistic often describes cognitive abilities or behaviors studied apart from language skills: nonlinguistic intelligence tests, nonlinguistic cues like eye contact and posture.
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- gesticulationExpressive bodily movement
- signMark conveying information
nod · wave · shrug · pointing · beckoning · bow · handshake · posture
Species-specific chemical messengers
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
birdsong · echolocation · stridulation · vibration · chromatophores · grooming
Perceiving through physical contact
- hapticOf touch perception
- textureSurface tactile quality
- pressureForce upon contact
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
temperature · embrace · caress · pat · massage · grip · proprioception
Science of quantity and structure
- algebraMath using symbols
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- calculusMathematical analysis system
- theoremDemonstrated logical conclusion
proof · equation · algorithm · logic · computation · arithmetic · trigonometry · statistics
Pleasing sequence of notes
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- pitchFrequency of sound
- timbreSound's distinctive character
dynamics · tempo · beat · tone · instrumental · orchestral · percussion · humming
Pigment on canvas
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- photographyCreating images from light
- drawingMarks forming a picture
- illustrationPicture explaining something
pictogram · icon · infographic · map · chart · color · composition · imagery
mime
Wordless expressive performer
- pantomimeDrama through gesture alone
- charadesWordless guessing game
- gesticulationExpressive bodily movement
sign · nod · wave · shrug · pointing · beckoning · bow · handshake · posture · wink
pheromones
Species-specific chemical messengers
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
vocalization · birdsong · echolocation · stridulation · vibration · chromatophores · grooming
touch
Perceiving through physical contact
vibration · temperature · embrace · caress · pat · massage · grip · proprioception
mathematics
Science of quantity and structure
- algebraMath using symbols
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- calculusMathematical analysis system
theorem · proof · equation · algorithm · logic · computation · arithmetic · trigonometry · statistics · formula
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
timbre · dynamics · tempo · beat · tone · instrumental · orchestral · percussion · humming · whistling
painting
Pigment on canvas
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- photographyCreating images from light
- drawingMarks forming a picture
illustration · pictogram · icon · infographic · map · chart · color · composition · imagery · mosaic
nonlinguisticlinguistic
Concerning language study
verbal · lingual · lexical · rhetorical · discursive
language, polyglot, linguist, bilingual, linguistic, linguistics, multilingual, bilingualism, trilingual