COMMUNICATION

INTRODUCTION
● The word communication is derived from a the Latin word ‘communis’ which
means ‘common’. Thus, communication means sharing of ideas in common.
● “When we communicate”, says Wibur Schramn, “we are trying to establish a
‘commonness’ with someone. That is we are trying to share information, an
idea or an attitude. The essence of communication is getting the receiver and
the sender ‘turned’ together for a particular message.”
● According to the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, communication means, the
imparting, conveying or exchange of ideas, knowledge, etc., whether by
speech, writing or signs.”
● Communication takes place when one person transfers information and
understanding to another person. It refers to exchange of ideas, feelings,
emotions, knowledge and information between two or more persons.
DEFINITION
“Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to
create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a
systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding”-- Louis
A. Allen.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION
➢ Two Way Process communication can take place only when there are at least two
person. One person has to convey some message and another has to receive it. For
example, in the classroom, the teacher conveys information to a group of students.
➢ Knowledge of Language (Base Language) to make the communication successful,
the receiver should, first of all, understand the sender’s message, for this, the sender
must speak in a language that is known to the receiver. For example, if the receiver
cannot understand English and the sender conveys his ideas in English the
communication will be a failure.
➢ Communication cannot be thought of in the absence of exchange of ideas. In order to
complete the process of communication, there must be an exchange of ideas, order,
feelings, etc among two or more two persons.
➢ Communication is an endless process, we cannot freeze it at any moment. So, it is a
dynamic process of action. It also interacts with the desired goal. For example, manager
or any officer continuously assigns work to his subordinates. At the same time, he also
tries to know the process of the work as well as give directions to achieve desired goals.
➢ Use of words, as well as Symbols communication, need not necessarily be made orally or
in writing. Certain gestures or symbols or actions may also convey one’s willingness or
understanding of a given problem. For example, nodding of heads, rolling of eyes, ringing
of bell for closing a school or college etrc.
➢ Communication is all pervasive. Communication is a pervasive activity that encompasses
almost all facets of our lives. According to Louis, ‘Communication is the sum of all things
one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another; it
involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.
➢ Mutual Understanding means the receiver should receive the information in the same
spirit with which it is being given. In the process of communication, it is more important to
understand the information rather than carry it out.
➢ Communication can be intentional or unintentional.
➢ Communication may be formal or informal. Formal communication follows the official
channel or hierarchy whereas informal communication does not follow the official
channel or hierarchy, it allows any individual to convey information to anybody.
➢ Direct and Indirect communication it is not necessary for communication that the
receiver and sender should communicate face-to-face with each other. Communication
can be both direct and indirect. Direct means face-to-face conversation while indirect
communication is through other means.
➢ Synchronous communication means that two or more people exchange information in
real-time. Asynchronous communication refers to the exchange of data between two or
more parties without the requirement for all the recipients to respond immediately.
PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
● SENDER- He is the person who sends the message which may be a thought, idea,
symbol, a picture report or order and postures and gestures even a monetary smile. He is
the initiator of the message.
● MESSAGE- It is the content the sender wants to convey to the receiver. It is the information
conveyed by words as speech and write-ups, pictures, signs, or symbols depending upon
the situation.
● ENCODING- Encoding is transforming the message into an appropriate medium which
may be verbal or non-verbal depending upon the situation, space, time and nature of the
message to be sent to the intended receiver. The sender encodes the message into a
series of words, symbols or pictures.
● CHANNEL- A medium serves as the means of communication whereas channel refers to
the means of transmission of a message between the sender and the receiver. A sender
conveys his/her message to the receiver by some medium (oral,written or non-verbal) over
some channel (electronic means or printed media)
● RECEIVER- Receiver is the person or group of people for which the message
is meant for. He is at the other end of the process. He may be a listener, viewer
or reader. He needs to decode the message sent in the best possible manner
such that the true intent of the communication is attained.
● DECODING- Decoding refers to interpreting or comprehending the sent
message. The receiver interprets the message and trees too understand in the
best possible manner.
● FEEDBACK- It refers to the response given by the receiver after interpreting
the message. It is necessary to ensure that the message has been correctly
decoded and comprehended the way it was send.