Barriers to Communication

• Any obstacle or problem in the process of Communication which

hinders/obstructs the process of Communication is called Barrier.

• Communication barriers are interferences or obstacles which affect not

only the transmission of idea or information but also the understanding
and acceptance of it.

• The three main causes for the barriers in communication are due to:
1. The deficiencies of the sender
2. The deficiencies of the listener
3. Inappropriate means of communication
 Language and Semantic Barriers

Semantic Barriers refers to the misunderstanding

between the sender and receiver arising due to the
different meanings of words, and other symbols used in
the communication.
Lack of common language
Bank Bat Date Pitch Light Chair Cool Book Spring Match
Semantic Barriers.
a.Denotation - Blue –colour blue

b. Connotation- Iam feeling blue. (SAD)

* Not - Akali dal-( SAD)

Poor Vocabulary
•Assertive •Adhere •Nuclear Family
•Charismatic •Benchmark •Extended Family
•Compassionate •Catalyst •Patriarch
•Courageous •Delegate •Matriarch
•Dependable •Facilitate •Sibling
•Empathetic •Leverage •Kinship •Adept
•Generous •Mitigate •Progeny •Comprehensive
•Humble •Negotiate •Descendant •Diligent
•Optimistic •Prioritize •Ancestor •Elusive
•Perceptive •Reinforce •In-laws •Insightful
•Resilient •Strategic •Guardian •Meticulous
•Sincere •Transparent •Relative •Noteworthy
•Tactful •Versatile •Household •Pragmatic
•Trustworthy •Viable •Family Tree •Substantiate
•Vibrant •Yield •Caregiver •Tangible
Poor know how of Grammar
 1. Identify the Error
Choose the sentence with
the grammatical error:

a) She enjoys reading books more than watching movies.

b) Neither the manager nor the employees was aware of the
changes.
c) The committee are discussing the new policy today.
d) They have been working on the project for several months.
 2. Correct the Sentence
Rewrite the following sentence to correct
the errors:
• Each of the students have scored 90% in their MSEs.
• The team have decided to change the strategy.
• Everybody are excited for the MSE scores.
• Looks like you’re on the ‘No Discipline Club’—membership! Congratulation on just
earning an extra absence!
• None of the information were accurate.
• “If there was a price for ‘Best at Disturbing Class,’ you’d be the reigning champion!
3. Choose the Correct Form
Select the correct word to
complete the sentence:
“If I _____ you, I would take that job offer.”
a) was
b) were
c) am
4. Punctuation Placement
Place the correct punctuation in the following
sentence:

The conference will be held on June 5 2024

at the downtown center.
5. Sentence Structure
Identify the type of sentence: “Although it was raining, we decided to
go for a hike.”

a) Simple
b) Compound
c) Complex
d) Compound-Complex
6. Active vs. Passive Voice
Change the following passive
sentence to active voice:

“The cake was baked by my grandmother.”

Punctuation
Round about Verbiage
• Overworked,
• Troublesome,
• Exhausted,- words which cause misunderstanding and confusion.
• For example, instead of saying ‘in the majority of cases’ or ‘ in a
number of instances’, we can say ‘some’ or ‘ usually’ instead of saying
‘ commence’ we can use ‘start’ or ‘ begin’.
• Different Languages or lack of Common Language can create obstacles in
Communication. A person who does not understand the native language or even foreign
language cannot communicate well. This becomes very difficult situation.

• Multiplicity of words: words can have different meanings. Word power is gift to human
beings but at the same times multiple meaning or spellings of the words can create the
problems in communication.

• Words with similar pronunciation but different meaning [Homophones]also create

problems in communication. E.g. Except-accept, fair-fare, council-counsel,principal
principle[etc].
• Jargon words[Technical words]used by professionals such as Engineers/Doctors or any
other professionals. Many times, jargon words are used unintentionally. But common
people or those who do not understand the meaning of these words face problems.
• By-passed Instructions: Means many times short cuts are used while passing the
messages. Eg. A Manager ordered the newly appointed secretary to go and burn the
Multiple meaning of the words in different context:
Different words are used in different ways as per the need/
message.
For instance consider the word, ‘out’ in following sentences:
• Get out of here
• Something is out of order in my car
• The truth got out at last
• He really stands out in his class.
• The workers are going out on strike
Thus the word ‘out’ conveys a different meaning when used
in different situations and thus miscommunication occurs.
Organizational barriers
• 1. Hierarchical Structure
• 2. Specialization of the workforce
• 3. Wrong choice of medium
• 4. Communication load
• 5. Filters
Hierarchical Structures: In organizations with rigid hierarchies, information may not flow freely between different
levels. For instance, junior employees might feel hesitant to share their ideas or feedback with senior
management due to fear of criticism or being overlooked.

Specialization of the workforce: Departments within an organization might operate in isolation from one another,
leading to a lack of collaboration and shared understanding. For example, the marketing team may not
communicate effectively with the product development team, resulting in mismatched product launches.

Wrong choice of medium/Poor Communication Channels: Inadequate or inefficient channels of communication

can hinder the dissemination of information. If an organization relies heavily on email for communication,
important messages may be missed or delayed amongst a cluttered inbox.

Information Overload: Employees may be bombarded with too much information, leading to difficulty in
processing and prioritizing what is important. For example, receiving numerous emails and messages throughout
the day can make it hard to identify critical updates.

Filtering: Information that passes through multiple levels within an organization may be selectively filtered or
altered, either intentionally or unintentionally. Managers might withhold negative feedback or critical information
from superiors to present their team in a more favorable light.
Physical barrier - Many barriers arise in the surroundings or
our environment. These barriers create problems or
confusion in communication.

NOISE TIME DISTANCE

AGE GENDER
• • Noise: Traffic Noise or noise of machines in factory create disturbances in communication. Noise pollution is
biggest contributor or environment pollution in India.

• Time and Distance :Physical distances between people can create major problems in communication. Time
zones around the world are not same. Due to differences in timings between countries we have to adjust with
the time difference of that country.

• • Defects in Communication Systems: Many times the instruments or machines used in communication such as
Telephones, Fax or Computer can develop problems. The network of Internet can fail or the Mike or
Microphone used in the programmes can create loud noise. Due to excess rains or natural calamity it becomes
difficult to use the instruments properly. The failure of Electronic power also results into communication loss or
messages are not sent properly.

• • Wrong Selection of Medium : Medium means the objects used in communication eg. Emails,Mobile Phones or
Telephones etc. The correct medium is necessary. The improper use of some machines such as Emails can delay
the messages.

• • High Temperature and Humidity: Excess Temperature or heat or cold Temperature create difficulties in
communication Many times human physical defects such as stammering ,bad hearing, failure of communication
channels and bad handwriting also create misunderstanding in learning the message.
SOCIO PSYCHOLOGY BARRIERS
Social-psychological barriers to communication
are mental or emotional blocks that can prevent
people from fully understanding each other and
effectively exchanging ideas or messages. These
barriers stem from factors related to people's
attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and social
dynamics.
1. Ego: `I’ Attitude means I am
great feeling can create barrier
in mind. Ego barriers create
conflict in human relations.
Status: Communication can be hindered when there's
a disparity in status. Higher-ranked individuals may
dominate conversations, and subordinates may
hesitate to express their opinions openly.
Prejudice: bias[wrong opinion]
about people on the basis of
community, caste, religions or on
personal basis is very negative for
communication. Prejudice can
hamper the communication.
Halo Effect: like or dislike about a
person can create halo or horn
effect. This can affect
communication.
 Emotions and feelings : Emotional
Disturbances of the sender or
receiver can distort[change] the
communication .
Different Perception of Reality: People have varied perceptions based on their
experiences, background, or culture, leading to different interpretations of the
same message.
• Inference: Making assumptions
without having full information
can lead to misunderstandings.
People may infer meaning that
was not intended.
Abstracting: This occurs when individuals focus
on only certain parts of a message, ignoring
other relevant information. It creates a skewed
understanding.
BAD LISTENING
Inattentiveness: Distraction or lack of
focus on the conversation can lead to
missing key details or misinterpreting
messages.
Distortion, Filtering & Editing: Information can be altered as it
passes from one person to another, either intentionally (editing
to suit the recipient) or unintentionally (due to
miscommunication).
•Close-mindedness: When someone refuses to
consider other perspectives or information,
communication breaks down as they reject ideas without
proper evaluation.
•Resistance to Change: When individuals are
resistant to change, they may block or
misinterpret messages that propose new ideas
or methods, leading to poor communication.
Cultural barriers of communication refer to
obstacles that arise from differences in cultural
backgrounds between communicators, which can
impede the effective exchange of information
and understanding. These barriers stem from
variations in cultural norms, values, and
practices, and can impact both verbal and non-
verbal communication.
 1. Language

• The absence of a common language is a

cultural barrier that causes a conflict of
ideas and misunderstandings in both
personal and professional life.
2. Cultural norms and values

• Values and norms are the key features of a culture, and it

often varies from one culture to the next.

• It is a representation of an individual’s cultural identity.

• The difference in the norms and values is because every

culture has gone through a different phase, and their idea
of truth and belief is different from the others.
The crowded environment is part of the culture in Asian countries
like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, etc. but it is not so in
countries like the United Kingdom or the United States. If you
praise a beautiful woman from the UAE, it is considered a direct
insult and is an offense, whereas, in Western countries, it is a sign
of appreciation.
3. Stereotypes
• One of the significant cultural barriers is
stereotypes, and the most common basis
of stereotyping are age, religion, race,
gender, and nationality.
• It is defined as the preconceived notions
about a specific community or the identity
of a specific person or community as a
whole.
4. Values and beliefs

• Values of human beings are dependent upon their

beliefs and often is the reason why a person behaves
in a specific manner.
• In some countries, shaking hands is considered a
normal behavior whereas in others touching in any
form is not appreciated.