COMMUNICATION STUDIES

GRADE 12

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

“Accept no one’s definition for your life; define yourself”

Prepared by: Ms. T. Archer
 WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

 Define the term communication

 Identify and discuss the elements/stages of the communication process

 Explain what is meant by noise

 Examine the various contexts of communication

 WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

 Communication is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common

system of symbols, signs or behaviour (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

 According to McDermott (2013), communication is the process of creating and transferring meaning by
way of messages between intelligences (p.16). He goes further to explain that humans and animals
communicate but so do computers and automatons. He adds that due to the advancement of science and
technology, computers and robots are able to receive and transmit data and to perform specific physical and
mental processes in response to commands.

 N.B Computers and robots are referred to as artificial intelligences and are very much relevant to
the discussion of communication.
 WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

For communication to effectively occur there must be a sender (source), a receiver (audience), an
environment or context within which the message is transferred and received, and a reason for
communicating (McDermott, 2013).
DIAGRAM OF THE PROCESS
 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 Communication begins when the sender has a reason to send a message or has a reason to communicate.

At this stage the sender begins to think about what is to be said/sent and through what medium. The sender

will also think of the language register in which to send the message. This mental process of framing the

message is known as conceptualization.

 The ideas within the message are then transformed into signs and symbols (language) that can be understood

by both the sender and the receiver. Transforming the message in this understandable form is known as

encoding. The message can be encoded both in writing or in speech.

 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 The channel/medium refers to the sensory pathway through which the message travels to get from source to
receiver. Verbal messages are transmitted and received through the aural channel. Written messages are
mainly received through the visual channel.

 The receiver is the person for whom the message is intended. If he is to understand the message, his task
must include attending to the message, decoding or interpreting the message.

 Decoding of a message is how the audience/receiver is able to understand the message. This process
includes interpretation and translation of coded information into a comprehensible form.

 Feedback refers to a response from the receiver which gives the communicator an idea of how the message
is being received and whether it needs to be modified.
..
 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 The communication context refers to the situation or atmosphere in which the communication takes place.
The context of a communication act is influenced by the participants in the act (their status and roles), the
purpose for communicating and the nature of the message to be communicated. Examples of contexts are
classroom settings, a church service, the marketplace etc.

 Noise refers to any interference with the clear transmission and reception of a message during the process of
communication . Noise can be either external, internal or semantic.

o External noise are distractions which originate outside the participants involved in the communication process.
For example, cracking sound in the telephone and volume that is too low.

o Internal noise refer to distractions that stem from the receiver’s mindset, attitude and disposition.

o Semantics has to with meaning. The choice and organization of the language can therefore affect meaning.
 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 SENDER  RECEIVER
 Conceptualises message  Receives message

 Encodes message  Decodes message

 Transmits message through language via  Interprets message

channel  Reacts to message in verbal or non-verbal
 Modifies message through non-verbal ways
means such as gestures or tone of voice  The role is reversed and the receiver
becomes the sender
 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 INTERNAL NOISE  EXTERNAL NOISE
 Overloaded channels
 Daydreaming
 Outside distractions
 Physical discomfort (pain, hunger)  Conditions causing discomfort
 Obstruction to hearing and seeing  Inaudibility

 Inattentiveness
SEMANTIC NOISE
 Lack of interest  Language difference
 Emotional disturbance  Use of jargon or complicated syntax
 Offensive vocabulary
 CONTEXTS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Intrapersonal communication- this means communicating within or with oneself. When you think,
daydream and solve problems that is seen as intrapersonal communication.

2. Interpersonal/person-to-person- this refers to interactions of two or more people. All communication

involving other people and oneself is seen as interpersonal.

3. Small Group- this involves communication among people within a group. It is characterized by the
sharing of ideas, roles and norms and a focus on a common goal.

4. Public Communication- this occurs when one person talks to several others and is the dominant focus
of the communication in a public setting. This communication involves a speaker and an audience.

5. Mass communication- this occurs where a message needs to get from point A to point B – from its
source /sender to its destination/receiver. These include print, electrical and electronic media.
 THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
6. Institutional/Organizational Communication- this is a very specialized area that focuses on interpersonal,
small group, public and mass communication as they interact in a complex, multi-group setting. It is especially important to
business, government and educational institutions. Within these settings, both vertical and horizontal communication occurs.

o Vertical communication- Messages are sent down from those in positions of authority (the superiors) to those
who are at a lower level in the organization.

o Horizontal Communication- this is communication that takes place on the same level between and among
departments, individuals and groups.

7. Intercultural Communication- this is also known as cross-cultural communication and takes place when the
sender of the message is from a different cultural background than the intended receiver.