UNIT I
COMMUNICATION
Contents of the Unit
Lesson 1: Communication Process
Lesson 2: Principles of Communication
Lesson 3: Communication Ethics
Lesson 4: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings
Lesson 5: Language Register
Lesson 6: Evaluating Messages and Images
Lesson 7: Communication Aids and Strategies
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Communication - the human connection – is the key to personal and career
success.
-Paul J. Meyer
LESSON 1: Communication Process
Make sure you are understood. Don’t blame the other person for not understanding.
Instead, look for ways to clarify or rephrase what you are trying to say
so, it can be understood.
-Joel Garflinkle
When asked to define communication, how would you respond? Most people will
relate to the forms of communication----talking or listening. But communication goes
beyond that.
The English term COMMUNICATION has evolved from Latin language. Communis
and communicare are two Latin words related to the word communication. Communis
is noun word, which means common, commonality, or sharing. Similarly,
communicare is a verb, which means make something common.
Some scholars relate the term communication with an English word community.
Community members have something common to each other; communities are
(supposed to be) formed with the tie of community. Hence, where there is no
communication, there can’t be a community.
Communication involves getting information from one person to the other person. It
is the art and process of creating and sharing ideas. Effective communication
depends on the richness of those ideas. Communication process is composed of
several elements, each of which offers potential barriers to successful
communication. These are:
• The source
• The message
• Encoding
• The channel
• Decoding
• The receiver
• Feedback
• Context
Communication skills are the tools that we use to remove the barriers to effective
communication. These barriers could be things like different cultures, different
expectations, different experiences, different perspectives, or different
communication styles, to name just a few. You might experience only one of these
barriers at a time, or you might find yourself facing them all. Getting your message to
the other person requires that you recognize these barriers exist between you, who
is the sender and the receiver, and that you then apply the proper tools, or
communication skills, to remove those barriers preventing your message from getting
through.
Of course, communication is a two-way street. The person or the other side of those
barriers will also try to send messages back to you. Your ability to understand them
clearly could be left to a dependence on their ability to use communication skills. But
that’s leaving the success of communication to chance. Instead, you can also use
your own communication skills to ensure that you receive messages clearly as well.
Finally, there isn’t only one point in your communication with another person at which
you have to watch out for barriers. To be successful at communicating, it’s important
to recognize that these barriers to communication can occur at multiple points in the
communication process.
At each of these stages, there is the potential for barriers to be formed or problems
to arise. As we look at ways to limit the barriers to communicating effectively,
remember that you may have to apply them at more than one occasion during your
communication process.
Communication skills are important to everyone --- they are how we give and
receive information and convey our ideas and opinions with those around us; and
more importantly on how we are able to understand each other. Communication
comes in many forms:
1. verbal (sounds, language, and tone of voice);
2. aural (listening and hearing);
3. non-verbal (facial expressions, body language, and posture);
4. written (journals, emails, blogs, and text messages); and
5. visual (signs, symbols, and pictures).
It is important to develop a variety of skills for both communicating TO others and
learning how to interpret the information received FROM others. Knowing our
audience and understanding how they need to receive information is equally
important as knowing ourselves.
To an employer, good communication skills are essential. In fact, employers
consistently rank good communication skills at the top of the list for potential
employees.
When selecting the type of message to be used and the medium or channel of
communication, ask yourself the following questions:
(1) Do I need a permanent record of this communication? If yes, choose
a letter (external or internal audience), a memo (internal audience), an e-
mail (either internal or external audience), or a report (either internal or
external audience). Written messages can have historic and legal value.
(2) Will my receiver(s) readily accept the message? If yes, a written
message is appropriate. If no, oral communication is preferred. The ability
to convey emotion and to react to feedback make face-to-face oral
communication the best format for persuading receivers or conveying bad
news. The size of and distance from the audience must also be considered.
(3) Where and how large is the audience for the message? Face-to-face
oral communication can be effective if the sender and receiver(s) are in the
same location. A telephone call may work if the number of receivers is small.
Written communication works best when it is impractical to bring receivers
together or when the message doesn’t warrant the personal touch of face-to-
face communication.
(4) Is the message long or complex? If yes, select written communication.
The writer can draft and revise the message before it is sent, and the receiver
can refer to it as often as necessary to understand the message. Visual aids
may supplement the written text.
(5) Is timeliness a factor? Do I need immediate feedback? Use face-to-face
or telephone communication for urgent messages or when immediate
feedback is important. In some circumstances, e-mail and fax may be viable
alternatives. Letters and memos are often used to confirm messages
conveyed orally.
(6) Is credibility a concern? Written messages are perceived as being more
credible than oral messages. E-mails have less credibility than documents
displayed on an organization’s letterhead or presented as a report
Source: Cuerda, F & Pilapil, E. Purposive Communication in the New General
Education Curriculum, c2017
