COMMUNICATION
LECTURE -01
Communication is a key element in any human
activity. Communication is a learned skill. However,
while most people are born with the physical ability to
talk, not all can communicate well unless they make
special efforts to develop and refine this
communication skill.
Communication takes place when we are supposedly
at the same level of understanding and
comprehension as other interlocutors.
Common forms of communication include speaking,
writing, gestures, touch, using pictures and
broadcasting. Communication is therefore not what is
said whether verbally or non-verbally, but what is
understood.
What is Communication?
Communication is a word derived from the Latin word
communis or commūnicāre, which means ‘to make
common’ or ‘to share’. Communication is the act of
conveying intended meaning to another person through
the use of mutually understood signs and language.
Communication is the art of transmitting information,
ideas and attitudes from one person to another.
Communication is the process of meaningful
interaction among human beings. The basic
steps of communication are: the forming of
communicative intent, message composition,
message encoding, and transmission of signal,
reception of signal, message decoding and
finally interpretation of the message by the
recipient.
Communication is simply the act of
transferring information from one place to
another. When you call or talk verbally to your
friend, then you are said to be communicating
with your friend.
Communication Process
• Encodes a message with words or signs
Messenger
• email, face-to-face conversation or a
Channel presentation
• Decodes a message using language skills,
Receiver cultural and contextual background
Characteristics of Communication
The characteristics of communication include:
Communication is a two way process which involves;
listening to others (Receiving) message
Asserting/Expressing (Sending). Communication is a
two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in
which participants not only exchange (encode-decode)
information but also create and share meaning.
Dynamic; it is ever changing depending on the
variables at play.
sharing of information using a code.
occurs between people and sometimes animals
irreversible: once one has communicated
something it cannot be recalled back.
elements of communication: Source, receiver,
channel, message, noise, feedback.
can be verbal/ non verbal or visual.
can be accidental especially, non-verbal
Functions of Communication
Human beings communicate for various
reasons. Here are some of the reasons why we
must communicate:
To change behavior
To influence others
To express our thoughts and emotions through
words & actions.
It is a tool for controlling and motivating
people.
It is a social and emotional process.
Communication for improving self-confidence
Entertain
Educate
Establish relationships
Inform
Solve problems
Make orders
Give directions
Forms of Communication
Verbal Communication
All forms of communication can be categorized
as either verbal or nonverbal. Both verbal and
nonverbal communication can be subdivided into
either vocal or non-vocal.
Verbal communication involves using speech to
exchange information with others. We usually
communicate verbally in face-to-face
conversations such as; meetings, interviews,
conferences, speeches, phone calls etc. Much
of the communication that takes place between
people is both verbal and non-verbal; that is, it
is based on language and gestures.
Verbal communication of the vocal category
includes spoken language, while non-vocal
verbal communication involves written
communication as well as communication that
is transmitted through sign language, finger
spelling, Braille, or other similar
alternatives to verbal language.
Paralinguistic/ Paralanguage features
Paralinguistic or paralanguage features are the
aspects of spoken communication that do not
involve words. They add emphasis or shades of
meaning to what people say.
They accompany verbal communication and are the
vocal signals beyond the basic verbal message.
These elements in a person's speech, convey
meaning beyond the words and grammar used.
Examples of paralinguistic features include
pitch, rate, quality of voice and amplitude.
Other forms of paralanguage can also include
laughter or imitative speech. Prosody, which is
the rhythm, pattern, stress, rate, volume,
inflection and intonation of a person's speech,
is also a form of paralanguage.
People express meaning not just in what they say but in
the way they say it. The paralinguistic features employed
by a speaker provide hint to the meaning, communicate
the speakers’ attitudes and convey their emotion.
Paralinguistic features also alert the listener as to how to
interpret the message. Many of these paralinguistic
features are culturally coded and inherent in verbal
communication, often at a subconscious level.
Non-Verbal
A type of communication that employs gestures and
body language.
The term "body language" is sometimes used to
denote non-verbal communications.
"Body Language" is the communication of personal
feelings, emotions, attitudes, and thoughts through
body-movements such as gestures, postures, facial
expressions, touch, smell, walking styles and positions
among others.
These movements can be done either consciously or
involuntarily; more often they ‘happen’
subconsciously, and are accompanied, or not
accompanied, by words.
There are basically three elements in any face-to-face
communication. These three elements account
differently for the meaning of the message:
Words account for 7%
Tone of voice accounts for 38% and
Body language accounts for 55% of the message
Main Difference – Body Language vs.
Paralanguage
Nonverbal communication is the exchange of information
without words.
Body language and paralanguage are two important
categories of nonverbal communication.
Body language refers to gestures, facial expressions, and
postures of a person.
Paralanguage refers to non lexical components of speech
such as pitch, tone, intonation, volume, pauses, etc.
The main difference between body language and
paralanguage is that body language analyses the
movements and poses of the whole body whereas
paralanguage observes the nonverbal components of
speech.
Our body language and tone of voice should be
consistent with the words we use. This is only possible
when we say what we mean to say and say it rightly.
Otherwise we can confuse people and reduce the
prospect of getting our message across to be
understood. Non-verbal communication can lead to
misunderstandings, communication failure and even
conflicts if the interlocutors are careless.
Non-verbal communication includes:
(P)OSTURES & GESTURES
(E)YE CONTACT
(O)RIENTATION
(P)RESENTATION
(L)OOKS
(E)PRESSIONS OF EMOTION
The way in which you fold your arms, cross your legs,
sit, stand, walk, move your head, eyes, lips reveal
what you may be thinking or feeling. For example, you
may be sitting and conversing with a person; suddenly,
he leans forward and with both arms clutches the
chair. By doing so he non-verbally communicates to
you his desire to end the meeting. Body language has
shed new light on the dynamics of relationships.
Levels of communication
Intrapersonal (Within a person)
Interpersonal (Face to face)
Group communication
Mass communication
Inter country/ Development
Intrapersonal Communication
Communication that occurs in your own mind. It
is the basis of your feelings, biases, prejudices,
and beliefs.
Examples are when you make any kind of
decision – what to eat or wear. When you
think about something – what you want to do
on the weekend or when you think about
another person.
Interpersonal Communication
Communication between two people but can
involve more in informal conversations.
Examples are when you are talking to your
friends. A teacher and student discussing an
assignment. A patient and a doctor discussing
a treatment. A manager and a potential
employee during an interview.
Group communication
Communication within formal or informal groups
or teams. It is group interaction that results in
decision making, problem solving and discussion
within an organization.
Examples would be a group planning a surprise
birthday party for someone. A team working
together on a project.
Mass Communication
The electronic or print transmission of messages to
the general public. Outlets called mass media include
things like radio, television, film, and printed
materials designed to reach large audiences.
A television commercial. A magazine article.
Hearing a song on the radio. Books, Newspapers,
Billboards. The key is that you are reaching a large
amount of people without it being face to face.
Feedback is generally delayed with mass
communication.
