Explicit and implicit silence

One can break down indirect discourse into explicit and implicit communication strategies. Explicit silences are 'notable silences'. A communication scholar Barry Brummett assigns to strategic silence three major features: it violates expectations; it always attributes a predicable set of meanings such as 'mystery, uncertainty, passivity and relinquishment'; and it is intentional and directed at an audience. In contrast to explicit silence, which is notable, implicit silence is anything but. Its function is quite the opposite. Explicit silence clarifies by stillness. Implicit silence obscures by words. Strategies of implicit silence define surging public relations areas such as public diplomacy, litigation and investor public relations. Strategic packages contain not only silent and non-silent but also explicit and implicit silence strategies in unique mixes. One cannot underestimate the importance of implicit silences in public relations. Communicators need to know the intended and unintended effects from dealing with the lexical and syntax levels of discourse as Fedspeak, Unspeak and other practices of silence.