What is communication?
Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages through verbal or non-verbal communication, including speech, or oral communication; writing and graphical representation. In short communication is the exchange of information.
Types of communication
Sandra Cleary, Marcelle Harran (2003:18-20), distinguishes between the following types of communication.
i) Verbal communication
Verbal communication is simply sending a message through a spoken language that is understood by both the sender and the receiver of the message. It include face-to-face communication and listening to a lecture.
Sandra Cleary, Marcelle Harran (2003:18-20), distinguishes between the following types of communication.
i) Verbal communication
Verbal communication is simply sending a message through a spoken language that is understood by both the sender and the receiver of the message. It include face-to-face communication and listening to a lecture.
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| verbal communication picture |
ii) Written communication
Written communication refers to the process of sending a message through the written symbols. In other words, any message exchanged between two or more persons that make use of written words is called as written communication. Written communication include memos, reports and emails.
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| example of written communication |
iii) Non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication also include body language that can be used to send a message. You can tell if someone is pleased or upset simply by looking at his facial expression, posture and gestures. For example, rolling of one's eyes means being annoyed.
Non-verbal communication also include body language that can be used to send a message. You can tell if someone is pleased or upset simply by looking at his facial expression, posture and gestures. For example, rolling of one's eyes means being annoyed.
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| nonverbal communication |
According to Sandra Cleary (2003:3-7), the communication process consists of several components:
i) Message
This is the background step to the process of communication. The message is what the sender and the receiver use to communicate, they communicate via a message.
ii) The sender
The actual process of communication is initiated at the hands of the sender; who takes steps to send the message to the recipient.
iii) Encoding
Encoding means giving a form and meaning to the message through expressing it to words, symbol, gestures, graph etc.
iv) Medium
It refers to the method or channel, through which the messages is to be conveyed to the recipient. For example, an oral communication might be made through the telephone etc.; while a written communication might be through a letter or a notice displayed on the notice board.
It refers to the method or channel, through which the messages is to be conveyed to the recipient. For example, an oral communication might be made through the telephone etc.; while a written communication might be through a letter or a notice displayed on the notice board.
v) Recipient or the receiver
The receiver is the one who receives the message from the sender through medium. The receiver then need to give feedback.
vi) Decoding
Decoding means the interpretation of the message by the recipient with a view to getting the meaning of the message, as per the intentions of the sender. It is at this stage in the communication process, that communication is philosophically defined as the transmission of understanding.
vii) Feedback
To complete the communication process, sending feedback to communication, by the recipient to the sender is imperative. Feedback implies the reaction of the receiver to the message.
Barriers to communication
There are many barriers to communication and these may occur at any stage in the communication process.
i) Language barrier
However, even when communicating in the same language, the terminology used in a message may act as a barrier if it is not fully understood by the receiver(s).
ii) Psychological barriers
The psychological state of the communicators will influence how the message is sent, received and perceived. For example if someone is stressed they may be preoccupied by personal concerns and not as receptive to the message as if they were not stressed. Anger is another example of a psychological barrier to communication. The picture above is an example of being stressed.
The psychological state of the communicators will influence how the message is sent, received and perceived. For example if someone is stressed they may be preoccupied by personal concerns and not as receptive to the message as if they were not stressed. Anger is another example of a psychological barrier to communication. The picture above is an example of being stressed.
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| picture of psychological barriers |
iii) Physiological barriers
This kind of barrier to communication may result from the receivers physical state. For example, a receiver with reduced hearing may not fully hear the content of a spoken conversation especially if there is significant background noise.
This kind of barrier to communication may result from the receivers physical state. For example, a receiver with reduced hearing may not fully hear the content of a spoken conversation especially if there is significant background noise.
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| example of a physiological barrier; noise |
iv) Attitudinal barriers
Attitudinal barriers are behaviors or perceptions that prevent people from communicating effectively. Attitudinal barriers to communication may result from personality conflict, poor management and lack of motivation.
Attitudinal barriers are behaviors or perceptions that prevent people from communicating effectively. Attitudinal barriers to communication may result from personality conflict, poor management and lack of motivation.
All in all i can say communication is an important tool that we use daily in our lives and it somehow a key that unlocks all areas. Communication can take place between many people with different languages but at the end we must find a suitable language in order for communication to be effective.
References
- Sandra Cleary, Marcelle Harran, Jacqueline Luck. Communication A Hands-on Approach. 2003. Pretoria. Juta& Co. Ltd.2nd edition.
- www.yourarticlelibrary.com/business-communication/7-major elements -of-communication-process/25815
- https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/what-is-communication.html
- phicare.com/competencies/communicationbarriers.php
- Trenholm, Sarah; Jensen, Arthur (2013). Interpersonal Communication Seventh Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 360-361.
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