Types of Communication

Every communication across the globe should have a message, at least one sender, and a
recipient. Having excellent communication skill is vital for a healthy and productive
workplace. Frequently classified as an “interpersonal skill” or “soft skill”, communication is
a process of sharing knowledge, data, and information from one individual to another or
group of people.

Though it looks simple, communication is generally a very complicated subject and is

influenced by an array of things. This article will help you understand communication in
depth.

What is Communication?
Communication is a process that involves sending and receiving of messages through a
verbal and non-verbal method. The sender sends a message, the receiver receives a message
and sends it back with the feedback to the sender again.

The methods of communication involve oral and speech communication, written and
graphical representations. Additionally, it includes the cultural sphere, a tool utilized to
communicate, location, etc. Though it looks simple, communication is generally a very
complicated subject.

In other words, communication is a two-way means of communicating information in the

form of thoughts, opinions, and ideas between two or more individuals with the purpose of
building an understanding.

Types of Communication
The four main categories of communication are

 Verbal – It is a method that uses speech in the form of speaking to convey a message
or information. It is the most popular and effective mode of communication, usually
practised during video conferences, phone calls, presentations, one-on-one
conversations, and meetings. It supports both nonverbal and written communication.

 Nonverbal – It is basically a practice of gestures, facial expressions, and body

language to send information. It can be implemented intentionally and unintentionally
when communicating. For instance, a person can smile unintentionally when they
hear an interesting piece of information or a pleasant idea.

 Written – It is all about typing, printing symbols, numbers, letters, and writing to
send a piece of information. Sometimes used to record information for evidence or
reference purpose. In general, the written style of communication is used in books,
blogs, pamphlets, memos, and letters to share and spread information. In the
workplace, e-mail is a common example of written communication.
  Visual – It uses art, photographs, sketches, graphs, charts, and drawings, to pass on
the information. It is used especially during presentations to present to give a visual
effect and support written or verbal communication.

Communication Process
The communication is a process that starts with the development of thoughts by a sender who
conveys the message using a various channel to the receiver, who then sends him a message
as feedback. There are seven main components of the communication process:

 Sender – Here, the sender conceptualizes the idea or the conversation he wants to
convey it to the recipient.
 Encoding – Now the sender starts the encoding process where he utilizes words or
non-verbal means to translate the thought into a message.
 Message – After encoding, the sender receives the message that he wants to send.
 Communication Channel – The sender then decides through which medium or
channel he/she wants to send the message to the recipient. They must choose the
channel to have an effective and correct interpretation of a message to the recipient.
 Receiver – The receiver receives the message and tries to comprehend in the best
possible way.
 Decoding – In this step, the receiver translates the sender’s information and tries to
perceive it most suitably.

Barriers to Effective Communication

Communication is defined as the process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a system of signs, symbols. The concept of
communication involves a sender, a message and a recipient.

The sender sends the message and the recipient is the receiver of the message. The
process of communication is never smooth as it is affected by the barriers of
communication.

Barriers to effective communication can result in confusion which can lead to

incorrect information being conveyed or miscommunication which can lead to loss of
business.

Following are some of the barriers to effective communication:

1. Semantic barriers

2. Psychological barriers

3. Organisational barriers

4. Cultural barriers

5. Physical barriers
6. Physiological barriers

Let us study in detail about the various types of barriers to effective communication.

Semantic barriers: Semantic barriers are also known as language barriers. These
barriers are caused due to improper communication between the sender and the
receiver. The following instances of semantic barriers can be witnessed in
communication.

Poor quality of message: Message when communicated should be precise and easy
to understand, that makes it easy for the receiver to grasp the information conveyed.

Sometimes, due to the lack of clarity or complexity of the way of providing

information from the sender, there can be a case of semantic barriers.

For e.g. A manager is conversing in English to a group of workers who understand

and speak Bengali. It will create confusion among workers as they will not be able to
understand what is being conveyed by the manager.

Technical language: Language barriers also arise when the sender of the message
is speaking in technical terms while the receiver is unaware of the terms. It creates
confusion and misunderstanding between the sender and receiver by acting as a
barrier to effective communication.

Psychological Barriers: Psychological barriers play an important role in

interpersonal communication as the state of the mind of the sender or the receiver
can make it difficult to understand the information that is conveyed, which often leads
to misunderstanding.

Here are some instances where psychological barriers to communication can be

seen.

1. Premature evaluation of information by the receiver even before it is transmitted

can lead to barriers in communication, as it will create premature conclusion to the
message, which withholds the original message.

2. Inadequate attention from the receiver’s end at the time of communication can
lead to barriers of communication as the information conveyed by the sender is not
properly received by the receiver.

3. When information is passed within multiple sources, the final information is

distorted as the receivers of the message are not able to retain everything that was
conveyed. This can cause communication barriers.

Organisational barriers: Organisational barriers are those barriers that are caused
due to the structure, rules and regulations present in the organisation. The various
types of barriers that can be encountered due to superior subordinate relationships
where the free flow of communication is not possible.

Sometimes the complexity of organisational structure and multiple managers make it

difficult to convey information properly, and the information gets distorted leading to
miscommunication.

Cultural barriers: Cultural barriers are those that arise due to lack of similarities
among the different cultures across the world. A term that can be harmless in one
culture can be regarded as a slang in another culture. Moreover, various beliefs can
differ from one culture to another.

Physical barriers: Physical barriers to communication are those that arise due to
certain factors like faulty equipment, noise, closed doors and cabins that cause the
information sent from sender to receiver to become distorted, which results in
improper communication.

Physiological barriers: Physiological barriers arise when a sender or the receiver

of the communication is not in a position to express or receive the message with
clarity due to some physiological issues like dyslexia, or nerve disorders that
interfere with speech or hearing.

BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION
Abstract:
Communication is the fundamental need of people, and in its least complex
structure, it might appear to be easy and direct. The course of correspondence is
made intricate and baffling by the different hindrances or barriers that become an
integral factor. These barriers obstruct the smooth progression of correspondence,
which prompts clashes of contemplations and thoughts.

Meaning of communication:
Communication is a necessary intuition present in every human being. To put it
plainly, correspondence is the trading of data between two individuals. Each activity
of our own can be viewed as a way to convey. This exchange isn’t mandatorily in
words as it were. It very well may be a signal or a gesture like a cocked eyebrow or
waving of a hand to a companion when you spot them in a group. Communication
implies offering something to someone else or a group of individuals.

Barriers of communication definition:

There are various obstructions to fruitful correspondence that can cause hindrances.
It happens on the grounds that the message sent by the sender probably won’t be
seen precisely as it is intended to be. It can get contorted during the correspondence
exchange. These various sorts of correspondence obstructions can come at any
stage during the cycle of correspondence. It can come as a result of the inclination or
generalisation and speculation that exists in the working environment.

Kinds of communication barriers:

A talented communicator should focus on the various sorts of hindrances to a
compelling correspondence and attempt to forestall them. These obstructions to an
effective communication ability can be mastered by undivided attention, reflection,
and so forth. The communicator should look for criticism from the beneficiary or the
receiver of the data to check if the message was perceived in its actual sense.

Recorded beneath are a portion of the normal obstructions to viable

correspondence.

Absence of attention or interest:

If the message is immaterial to the recipient or there are interruptions around (like
others talking simultaneously) then, at that point, the message probably won’t be
imparted as expected.

Insight difference:
If a couple of individuals view things distinctively, their perspectives may come in the
middle of interpreting the message effectively.

Actual disabilities:
If the beneficiary has hearing issues or the speaker has speech incapacities, then, at
that point, correspondence won’t be powerful and it will misshape the message.

Actual barriers to communication:

An eye-to-eye correspondence has a ton of parts to the correspondence than simply
the words. Looks, non-verbal communication, hand motions, and so forth are
additionally associated with the entire correspondence process. In the event that you
cannot see the individual, a few messages may get lost. Instant messages,
telephone calls, and so forth are a portion of the innovative methods of imparting,
which come up short on the impact of an individual gathering.

Biases and prejudices:

Most individuals have assumptions about numerous things; subsequently, they hear
just what they need to pay attention to, not what is being said. These bogus
suspicions and generalisations lead to obstructions in correspondence.

Language Difference:
The distinction in lingos of various locales or new accents can make it hard to
comprehend the message sent.

The Difference in culture:

Social interconnections have various standards in various societies. For instance,
space exists in certain societies and group environments, however not in a similar
structure in others. These social contrasts could forestall compelling
correspondence.

Emotional barriers:
Sensitive points make it hard for the speaker or the listener to connect appropriately
in the correspondence exchanged. It could likewise be that certain individuals are not
happy putting themselves out there; consequently, their words probably won’t mirror
the genuine importance of what they need to pass on. Subjects that might be a no-
no, or a taboo or forbidden for certain individuals are legislative issues, mental,
religion, or actual handicaps, prejudice, sexuality, and some other disagreeable
choices.

Utilising jargon:
If one uses new terms or over-muddled specialised terms, it can’t be comprehended
well.