paralanguage

[ par-uh-lang-gwij ]
/ ˈpær əˌlæŋ gwɪdʒ /

noun Linguistics.

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.
Compare body language.

Origin of paralanguage

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

British Dictionary definitions for paralanguage

paralanguage
/ (ˈpærəˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ) /

noun

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