Which term describes communication that is perceived but not intentionally transmitted?

The term that describes communication that is perceived but not intentionally transmitted is "perlocutionary." This concept comes from the study of speech acts and refers to the effect that a speaker's utterance has on a listener, including the emotions, thoughts, or actions that result from it. In this context, while the speaker may not intend to convey a specific message, the listener may still derive meaning or a response from the utterance. This underscores the idea that communication can occur beyond explicit or deliberate intent, highlighting the complex nature of human interaction where non-verbal cues or the context of an utterance significantly influence understanding.

The other terms refer to different aspects of communication. "Locutionary" refers to the actual utterance or the literal meaning of the words spoken. "Illocutionary" pertains to the intended meaning or the intended effect behind an utterance, such as making a promise or request. "Paralinguistic" involves the non-verbal features of communication, such as tone, pitch, and intonation, that accompany spoken language but are distinct from the actual content of the words. Each of these terms captures specific elements of communication, but only "perlocutionary" focuses on the interpretation and effects of communication that are