1. The study of vocal and non-vocal elements of communication that accompany or modify spoken language, such as tone of voice, pitch, stress, and body language.
Usage: Usually used as a mass noun (uncountable); Academic and linguistic field

Examples

• Paralinguistics includes the study of how tone of voice can change the meaning of words.
• Researchers in paralinguistics examine facial expressions and hand gestures during conversation.
• Understanding paralinguistics is important for effective public speaking and presentation skills.
• The pause between words is an example of a paralinguistic feature that affects communication.
• Paralinguistics helps explain why the same sentence can convey different emotions depending on how it is spoken.
• In cross-cultural communication, paralinguistics can reveal differences in how people express meaning beyond words alone.