Nature and Elements of Communication

Nature and Elements of Communication

• Communication originates from the Latin word "communicare", meaning "common".
• The sender and receiver must understand the message being transmitted.
• Communication is a continuous, evolving process.

Elements of Communication

• Speaker: The person creating the message.
• Message: The information or idea being conveyed.
• Encoding: Translating thoughts into words or actions, considering the audience.
• Channel: The pathway of message transmission (e.g., oral, visual, audio-visual).
• Decoding: The receiver's interpretation of the encoded message.
• Receiver: The recipient of the message.
• Feedback: The receiver's reactions, comments, or responses.
• Context: The environment where communication occurs.
• Barrier: Any factor affecting the communication flow.

Noise in Communication

• Physical Noise: Interference with message transmission (e.g., loud noises, distractions).
• Psychological Noise: Biases or prejudices of the sender or receiver (e.g., closed-mindedness, wandering thoughts).
• Semantic Noise: Difficulty understanding the message due to language (e.g., errors, jargon, multiple meanings of words).
• Physiological Noise: Distractions from the receiver's body (e.g., hunger, fatigue, stress).

Models of Communication

• Linear Model (Shannon and Weaver, 1949): One-way communication with no feedback.
  • Elements: Source, Transmitter, Channel, Receiver, Destination.
  • Examples: Newspaper, radio broadcasts, television.
• Interactive Model (Schramm, 1954): Two-way communication with feedback.
  • Importance of feedback and noise.
  • Example: A teacher teaching in a classroom.
• Transactional Model (Barnlund, 2008): Two-way process with continuous feedback.
  • Interactive, back-and-forth communication.
  • Both sender and receiver are communicators.
  • Example: Conversations with friends.

Dimensions of Communication

• Verbal Communication: Explicit use of language, representing 35% of total communication.
  • Types: Written and Spoken.
• Verbal Dimension Considerations:
  • Register: Level of formality, showing respect.
    • Formal
    • Informal
  • Intention: Unintended messages may be conveyed by the speaker.
• Non-Verbal Communication: Communication beyond words, through actions and presentation.
  • Paralanguage: Manner of speech, intonation, voice, volume, and hesitation.
  • Chronemics: Usage of time, displaying authority, power, and dissent.
  • Proxemics: Use of personal space to convey meaning.
  • Haptics: Use of touch to express emotion.
  • Gestures: Hand and head movements.
    • Types: Emphasizing, regulating, illustrating, emblems.
  • Facial Expressions: Facial movements conveying emotions.
  • Personal Appearance: Styling oneself to communicate meaning, expressing personality.
  • Silence: Withdrawal of communication.

Intercultural Communication

• Communication between people from different nationalities.
• Culture: A social group's system of meanings.
  • Dimensions:
    • Lived Culture: Defined by demographics (gender, ethnicity, age, etc.).
    • Taught Culture: Cultural values and beliefs learned.
    • Performed Culture: Cultural and social roles.
  • High Context Culture: Focus on underlying context, meaning, and tone.
  • Low Context Culture: Focus on the explicit message.
• Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS):
  • Denial: Ignorance of cultural differences.
  • Defense: Acknowledging differences but seeing own culture as superior.
  • Minimization: Emphasizing universality over differences.
  • Acceptance: Appreciation of cultural differences.
  • Adaptation: Openness to new perspectives and adapting communication.
  • Integration: Viewing the world through multiple cultural lenses.

Characteristics of a Competent Intercultural Communicator

• Flexibility
• Open-mindedness
• Mindfulness
• Sensitivity
• Adaptability
• Politeness
• Divergent Thinking

Functions of Communication

• Social Interaction:
  • Purposes:
    • Initiating relationships
    • Building relationships
    • Sustaining relationships
    • Transactions/exchange
    • Accomplishment of goals
• Information:
  • Issues:
    • Accuracy
    • Usefulness
    • Partiality
    • Credibility of source
  • Responsibilities: Provide accurate, complete, and true information.
• Emotional Expression:
  • Responsibilities: Express affection and support, manage emotions effectively.
• Motivation:
  • Issues: Negative influence, persuasion.
  • Responsibilities: Inspire and motivate others positively.
• Regulation/Control:
  • Guidelines and policies, establishing order.

Vowel Triangle

• World of Englishes (Braj Kachru): Reflects sociolinguistic context: history, background, influence, function.
  • Concentric Circle:
    • Inner Circle: English as a native language.
    • Outer Circle: English as a second language.
    • Expanding Circle: English as a foreign language.
• International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): Provides accurate pronunciation of all languages.
• Front Vowels: Resonate from the front of the mouth.
• Central Vowels: Mid-range vowels.
• Back Vowels: Resonate from the back of the mouth.

Explore the fundamental aspects of communication including its origins, key elements, and the impact of noise. This quiz covers essential concepts such as encoding, decoding, and the barriers that affect effective communication. Test your understanding of how messages are transmitted and received in various contexts.