COMMUNICATION

  MEANING OF COMMUNICATION The word “Communication‟ has been derived from the Latin word “communis” which means “common”. Hence, communica...

 MEANING OF COMMUNICATION

The word “Communication‟ has been derived from the Latin word “communis” which means “common”. Hence, communication is having common experiences with other people. Communication means transfer of ideas, opinions, feelings, facts, etc., from one person to another. Communication can be defined as the process through which two or more persons come to exchange ideas and understanding among themselves.

 

DEFINITION OF COMMUNICATION

•       “Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another” – Keith Davis

•      “Communication is the process of transmitting information from one person to another”. –  Ricky W. Griffin

•      “Communication is the intercourse by words, letters or messages, intercourse of thoughts or opinions. It is the act of making one’s ideas and opinions known to other”. – Fred G. Meyer.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION

1. It involves at least two persons, a sender and a receiver.

•       The sender is called “communicator‟ and the receiver of the message is known as communicate‟.

•        A person who speaks, writes or issues some instructions is the “sender/communicator‟ and the person who receives the message is the “receiver/communicate‟.

2. In Communication messages is the must

•       A message is the subject -matter of communication, (e.g.) The contents of the letter or speech, order, instructions or the suggestions. A communication must convey some message.

3. Communication is written, oral or gestural

•       It is generally understood as spoken or written words.

•       But in reality communication is more than speaking and writing.

•       It includes everything that may be used to convey meaning from one person to another. (e.g.) movement of lips, or the wink of an eye or the wave of hands.

4. Communication is a two way process

•       It involves both information and understanding.

•       Communication is not complete unless the receiver has understood the message properly and his reaction or response is known to the sender.

5. Its primary purpose is to motivate a response

•       The primary purpose of communication is to motivate a response or influence human behaviour.

6. Communication is formal or informal

•       Formal Communication follows the formal channels provided in the organization structure.

•       Informal channels of communication which are not provided in the organization structure.

•       These channels develop among members because of personal contacts through working with each other.

7. Communication flows up and down and also from side to side

•       Communication flows downward from a superior to subordinates and upward from subordinate to a superior.

8. Communication is an integral part of the process of exchange

•       It refers to the exchange of ideas, feelings, emotions and knowledge and information between two or more persons

COMMUNICATION CYCLE

 The communication process/cycle involves the following elements.

1. Sender

•       Sender is the source of Communication

•       All Communication requires a source.

•       Any communication starts from the source or sender.

•       Sender has some thought, idea, need or information that he wishes to transmit to another person.

2. Message

•       This is the subject - matter of communication

•       This may be opinions, attitudes, feelings, views, suggestions, order etc.

3. Encoding

•       The sender uses certain symbols such as words, actions; pictures etc. (or) the ideas are translated into a code or a set of symbols especially in the form of language.

•       Conversion of the subject - matter into these symbols is the process of encoding.

4. Channel

•       These symbols are transmitted through certain channels.

•       For example, radio, telephone, letter, face-to-face talk, depending upon the situation of the two parties namely „sender‟ and „receiver‟ (or) It is the link that connects the sender and the receiver

5. Receiver

•       A person who receives and interprets the message (student)

6. Decoding

•       It means translating the message into words for the purpose of understanding.

7. Feedback

•       It refers to the reaction, reply or response sent by the receiver to the sender. Or

•       It is the response the receiver gives to the sender as a result of the sender’s message.

 

Communication-Types

Verbal Communication

•      Verbal Communication refers to the exchange of messages through the use of written and spoken forms.

•      Usually carried on through language.

•       Requires the use of words, numbers and symbols.

Verbal Communication- Two Types

•      1. Oral Communication

•      Oral communication is the spoken interaction between two or more persons.

•      Take place in lectures, discussions, interviews, social gathering, meetings and conference

2. Written Communication

•       Communication by means of written words or symbols

•       Consist of writings, diagrams, pictures, graphs etc.

•        Provides a long-lasting record of communication for future.

Non-Verbal Communication

•      Non-Verbal Communication is the exchange of messages primarily through non-linguistic means.

•      It includes Posture, Gesture, Facial expression, Eye contact, Tactile communication, Personal space, Silence, Appearance, Odour etc.

                                Non-Verbal Aspects

Posture

•      The term posture refers to how we hold our bodies as well as overall physical form of an individual.

•       Posture can be used to determine a participant’s degree of attention or involvement.

 Gesture

•       Gesture is a non-verbal bodily movement intended to express meaning.

•       Waving, pointing, and using the fingers to indicate numerical amounts are all very common and easy to understand gestures.

Facial expression

•      Our facial expressions may reveal our true feelings about a particular situation

•      Emotions that can be expressed via facial expressions include:

•  Happiness
• Anger
• Surprise
• Fear
• Confusion
• Excitement 
• Desire
• Contempt

 Eye contact

•       The eyes are frequently referred to as the "windows to the soul"

•       When a person looks directly into your eyes when having a conversation, it indicates that they are interested and paying attention.

•       People often blink more rapidly when they are feeling distressed or uncomfortable.

 Tactile communication

•       Communication through touch is called tactile communication.

•       Touch can indicate dependence, affiliation, aggression etc.

 Personal space

•       This is the physical space one place between himself and others.

•       This invisible boundary becomes apparent only when someone bumps or tries to enter your space.

•      Anthropologist Edward T. Hall described four levels of social distance that occur in different situations:

• Intimate distance - 6 to 18 inches
• Personal distance - 1.5 to 4 feet
• Social distance - 4 to 12 feet
• Public distance - 12 to 25 feet

Silence

•       Silence can be a positive or negative influence in the process of communication.

•       Silence can be a judgmental by indicating favour or disfavor, agreement or disagreement.

Appearance

•      By appearance we mean clothing, hairstyle, adornments such as jewellery and cosmetics.

•      Appearance of a person speaks him a lot. 

 

Odour

•       Odour of a person indicates his racial, cultural and familial aspects

Inter-personal Communication

•      Communication between two or more individuals is called Interpersonal communication.

•       Inter-personal communication may be defined as a process of interaction between two people, generally face  to face talk.

•      For example, interaction between teacher and student in the classroom, a telephone conversation, interview etc.

•      The emphasis is on speech, non - verbal forms of communication

Intra-personal Communication

•      Intrapersonal communication is the communication process within an individual.

•       This can be defined as a process through which one communicates with himself.

•      This means the communication is within the self and to the self. For example, thinking, working out a problem, writing diaries, etc.

Difference between inter-personal and intra-personal communication:

•      Intra-personal communication takes place when a student, without the help from anyone, solves a mathematical problem.

•      Inter-personal communication occurs when his friend helps him in solving the same mathematical problem at every stage.

 

Barriers of Communication

1. Physical Barriers

•       Noise

•      Invisibility and poor audibility

•      Environmental and physical discomfort

•       Distraction

•      ill health

2. Language Barriers

•      Verbalism

•       Verbosity (usage of words or phrases that are beyond the scope of your audience's knowledge)

•       Unclear graphics and symbols

 

3. Background Barriers

•      Previous learning.

•      Cultural disparities.

4. Psychological Barriers

•       Prejudices

•        Disinterest

•        Inattention

•       Redundancy

•       Imperceptions

•       Unrewarding experiences

•      Filling of anxiety

•       Unfulfilled curiosity

 

Tips to make classroom communication successful and productive

•      Understand the subject matter yourself before trying to communicate it to the students.

•       Understand the nature of your students.

•      Choose a presentation style fit to the subject matter and the audience.

•       Develop sentence that are clear, concise and complete.

•       Use correct spelling, pronunciation etc.

•       Be aware of all the barriers of communication.