Types of Communication
Types of Communication
Assistant Professor
Communications are of two types
1. Verbal Communication
2. Non-Verbal Communication
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
The sharing of information between individuals by
using speech. Individuals working within a business need to
effectively use verbal communication that employs readily
understood spoken words.
Verbal communications are of two types
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Oral communication is a process of expressing information or ideas word
of mouth. It can be either formal or informal.
FORMAL
• Presentation at business meetings
• Classroom lectures
• Commencement speech given at a graduation ceremony.
INFORMAL
• Face to face conversations
• Telephone conversations
• Discussions that take place at business meetings
Advantages of Oral Communication
Oral communication is best in case of problem resolution.
Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and
group energy.
Oral communication is best to transfer private and
confidential matter.
There is high level of understanding and transparency in
oral communication as it is interpersonal.
The feedback is spontaneous in case of oral
communication .Thus, decisions can be made quickly
without delay.
Disadvantages of Oral Communication
There may be misunderstanding as the information is not
complete.
It requires activeness on the part of the
audience/receiver.
Oral communications are not easy to maintain.
Oral communication is time saving as far as daily
interactions are concerned, but in case of meetings, long
speeches consume lot of time.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
The written communication is the most
common mode of business communication. In any
organisation, the electronic mails, memos, reports,
documents, letters, Journals, Job descriptions,
employee manuals etc., are some of the commonly
used forms of written communication.
Characteristics of written communication
Most formal type of communication
Used for documentation
Used for circulation of information
Conventional by nature
Presence of both sender and receiver is not necessary at the same
time
Time factor
It has fewer cycles
A creative activity
Advantages of written communication
Easy to preserve
Easy presentation of complex matter
Permanent record
Prevention of wastage of time and money
Accurate presentation
Use as a reference
Delegation of authority
Longevity
Effective communication
Maintaining image
Proper information
Less distortion possibility
No opportunity to misinterpret
Controlling tool
Easy to verify
others
Disadvantages of written communication
Expensive
Time consuming
Red-Tapism
Useless for illiterate person
Difficult to maintain secrecy
Lack of flexibility
Delay in response
Delay in decision making
Cost in record keeping
Complex words
Lack of direct relation
other
Difference between Oral Communication and Written
Communication
Difference between Oral Communication and Written
Communication
NON - VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Communication without the use of spoken
language. Nonverbal communication includes
gestures, facial expressions, and body positions,
as well as unspoken understandings and
presuppositions, and cultural and environmental
conditions that may affect any encounter between
people.
Characteristics of Non verbal communication
Verbal and non-verbal clues co-exist
Body postures, gestures and dress suggestive of social
status and education level
Non-verbal clues are more reliable than verbal clues
Non-verbal clues carry cultural biases
It is necessary to interpret non-verbal clues in relation to
their context
Ex: Facial expressions , gestures, eye contact etc.,
Types of Non-verbal communication
1. Sign Language
2. Kinesics
3. Proxemics
4. Chronemics
5. Haptics
6. Vocalics
1. SIGN LANGUAGE
Sign language is movements of your hands and arms used to
communicate. There are
several official systems of sign
language, used for example by
deaf people. Movements are
also sometimes invented by
people when they want to
communicate with someone who
does not speak the same language.
Types of Sign Language:
• Sign language for the deaf.
• Sign language for people who are deaf and blind.
• Sign language for children and adults with special need.
• Sign language for babies.
• Sign language for communicating with animals.
• Home sign
• A village sign language.
2. KINESICS
Body language, technically
known as Kinesics, is very
essential in communication. Human
body and its various parts play an
important role in communication.
The study of messages conveyed
by body movements is known as body
language or kinesics.
Different body parts play specific role in
communication. The role of different parts of
the body in communication are:
1. Head:
There is an old saying ‘Hold your head
high’. It is a sign of honour, self respect and
self confidence. A head bent low, on the other
hand, shows modesty, politeness and guilt.
2. Facial Expression: Face has been called
the mirror of the mind because
whatever a person feels deep inside
is reflected on his face. All parts of
the face i.e. the lines of forehead, the
eyebrows, the muscles of cheeks, lips
all speak louder than words.
3. Eye Contact: Eye contact is powerful tool of
communication. It can be used in positive ways to effectively
express
confidence, intellect, honesty,
love, desire, friendship,
compassion, sympathy and
more. While negatively, eye
contact can reflect lies, anger,
lack of remorse, and a callous
non-genuine attitude.
4. Gesture: Gestures are our hand
movements. Different hand movements convey
different meanings.
E.g. Pounding of fist on table shows anger
while a forefinger raised above the head shows
‘Number 1’. Thumbs-up is acknowledge as
‘well done’ and ‘very good’.
5. Posture:
• Professional-Functional Touch.
* A handshake or a pat on the
back.
• Social-Polite Touch.
* Blessing some one or meeting in a
party or just a casual meeting.
6. VOCALICS