KOMUNIKASI NONVERBAL DALAM INTERAKSI ANTAR TUNARUNGU DI SEKOLAH DASAR LUAR BIASA KOTA SORONG

This study identifies nonverbal communication in interactions between deaf individuals at a special elementary school in Sorong City. The main objective of this study is to observe and analyze nonverbal communication in interactions between deaf individuals. The research method used in this study is qualitative with a case study approach. Data collection was carried out through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis techniques used the Miles and Huberman forms, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Triangulation used to test the validity of the data was source triangulation. The results of this study indicate that nonverbal communication is very important in social interactions, namely sign language, facial expressions, kinesics, and proxemics. This nonverbal communication can help create a more inclusive environment and facilitate interaction. Furthermore, supporting factors between deaf individuals are an inclusive environment and a deaf community, while inhibiting factors are social isolation and environmental barriers. This study also found that a good understanding of nonverbal communication can improve the quality of interactions between deaf individuals and strengthen social relationships between them.