VEDA’S

JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (JOELL)

An International Peer Reviewed Journal
http://www.joell.in

Vol.3, Spl.Issue 2, 2016

COMMUNICATION BARRIERS
Dr. K. Usha Rani
(Assistant Professor,Department of English,KL University,Vaddeswaram)

ABSTRACT
Communication means sharing meaning. With no sharing, there is
no communication. To communicate successfully in a team or with others, at
work or in the community, we have to understand the communication
environment and the barriers which prevent messages being sent and
received successfully.A communication barrier is anything that prevents us
from receiving and understanding the messages others use to convey their
information, ideas and thoughts. There are five of these types of barriers to
effective communication, including: Attitudinal Barriers, Behavioral Barriers,
Cultural Barriers, Language Barriers and Environment Barriers.A common
cause of communication breakdown in a workplace situation is people
holding different attitudes, values and discrimination. Valuing people who
are different allows us to draw on a broader range of insights, ideas,
experience and knowledge. The behaviors like bias, generalizations and
stereotyping can cause communication barriers. Empathy is important for
overcoming barriers to communication based on culture.Language barriers
occur when people do not speak the same language, or do not have the same
level of ability in a language. There are many environmental factors affecting
the effective communication process.

Keywords: Language, Barrier, Attitude, Behavior, Culture, Language, Environment.

© Copyright VEDA Publication

Communication means sharing meaning. successfully. A communication barrier is anything
With no sharing, there is no communication. To that prevents us from receiving and understanding
communicate successfully in a team or with others, the messages others use to convey their information,
at work or in the community, we have to understand ideas and thoughts.They can interfere with or block
the communication environment and the barriers the message you are trying to send. This paper will
which prevent messages being sent and received help you to recognise the barriers to communication

74 Dr. K. Usha Rani

 VEDA’S
JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (JOELL)
An International Peer Reviewed Journal
http://www.joell.in

which prevent messages being sent and received experience and knowledge.Each person’s uniqueness
successfully. comes from personal characteristics such as:
Most people would agree that communication • Race
between two individuals should be simple. It’s • Gender
important to remember that there are differences • Education
between talking and communicating. When we • Age
communicate, we are successful in getting our point • Ability
across to the person we’re talking to. When we talk, • Lifestyle
we tend to erect barriers that hinder our ability to • Experience
communicate. There are five of these types of BEHAVIOURAL BARRIERS
barriers to effective communication, including: The behaviours like bias, generalisations and
1. Attitudinal barriers stereotyping can cause communication barriers.
2. Behavioral barriers Having these attitudes and not confronting them is
3. Cultural barriers not just wrong, it’s bad for individuals. In the
4. Language barriers and workplace, such attitudes can cost the organisation
5. Environment Barriers time and money.
ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS Stereotyping occurs when you assume we
A common cause of communication know something about a person because of their
breakdown in a workplace situation is people holding cultural or social background. Our views may come
different attitudes, values and discrimination. An from a bias you may have against a particular
example of this is differing perceptions people have behaviour, appearance, possession or even a
of power and status.Some people may think that particular geographical area. Our situation,
they should treat people or be treated differently appearance and behaviour may contribute to other
based on what they perceive as their status or power people’s stereotyped views. This could contribute to
within a workplace or in the community. If they think communication breakdown. Learn to treat everyone
that managers and supervisors have power over as an individual. We will open up the channels for
staff, for example, that they can allocate duties, communication and overcome the barriers based on
reward, promote, or dismiss staff, this may lead to discrimination
barriers before the communication even takes CULTURAL BARRIERS
place.However, what one person considers power Communication with people of different
and control might be considered leadership or cultures and backgrounds means becoming aware of
mentoring by another person. Effective the differences in values, beliefs and attitudes that
communication is necessary no matter what level or people hold.Empathy is important for overcoming
position you occupy. If you feel someone is trying to barriers to communication based on culture.
exert power or control over you, communicate this to Empathy means sensing the feelings and attitudes of
them.Discrimination arises when people make others as if we had experienced them personally.
judgments about individuals or groups without Tips to create empathy
thinking clearly. Behaviours such as stereotyping, bias • Respecting other’s feelings and attitudes
and prejudice are forms of discrimination. When • Using active listening skills
people discriminate, they make decisions without • Encouraging involvement of others by asking
bothering to get all the necessary information about questions while respecting personal privacy
the people they are judging. Discrimination causes • Using open body language and an
people to miss out on the value of difference, and the encouraging vocal tone
benefits that individuals and groups bring to any • Taking other people’s fears and concerns
situation. Valuing people who are different allows us into consideration.
to draw on a broader range of insights, ideas, • Refraining from giving unsolicited advice.

75 Dr. K. Usha Rani

 VEDA’S
JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (JOELL)
An International Peer Reviewed Journal
http://www.joell.in

• Not blaming, instead working towards a  Team meeting rooms should be cool,
solution. but not cold. A warm room makes
LANGUAGE BARRIERS participants sleepy; a cold room can
Language barriers occur when people do not make them very unhappy!
speak the same language, or do not have the same  Make sure that the environment is
level of ability in a language. However, barriers can comfortable and secure. People need
also occur when people are speaking the same to feel safe before they will listen or
language. Sometimes barriers occur when we use offer suggestions.
inappropriate levels of language or we use jargon or  Check that nothing behind or near
slang which is not understood by one or more of the the team member will cause
people communicating. distraction (for example, activity seen
Often the situation in which the through an open window or door; a
conversation is taking place, and whether or not television screen).
people have prior experience of the matter being  Turn off your mobile phone when you
discussed, can also contribute to such barriers being are communicating with other
formed. people.
 Wait until machinery (or any other
TIPS TO OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS distracting noise) is turned off before
• Who we are communicating with you even try to communicate. If this
• What their language needs may be. is not possible, move to a quieter
• Remember that preparation is an important location.
part of communication  Use accepted format in any written
Using visuals like photographs, drawings, communication (letters,
diagrams can help to overcome language barriers as memorandums and reports) and, if
can using appropriate non-verbal communication. it’s important, check with someone
We should be aware that different situations and beforehand that they can understand
different cultures have varying interpretations of it.
non-verbal communication. What is acceptable in As a communicator, one has to think about
one culture may be offensive in another. What is what are the potential and real environmental
clear to us may not be clear to others. The quality of barriers in your workplace or community.
your voice is also important for clear communication.
Be sure to speak with appropriate volume for the REFERENCES
situation and use clear diction. Listening actively to [1]. Luthans, F, Organizational Behaviour, McGraw-Hill,
other people and letting them know that you are New Delhi.
[2]. Newstrom, J.W. and Devis. K Organizational Behaviour,
listening is an excellent way to overcome language
McGraw-Hill, New Delhi.
barriers.
ENVIRONMENTAL BARRIERS
Not all barriers to communication are
caused by people. There are many environmental
factors affecting the effective communication
process. Messages can be blocked by environmental
factors, such as the physical setting or the situation
where communication takes place.
TIPS TO MANAGE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Here are some points to help you manage
environmental factors for effective communication
when in teams.

76 Dr. K. Usha Rani