LESSON 3: The Field of Communication

LESSON 3: The Field of Communication
I. Understanding, Defining and Meaning of Communication:

Many communication experts have attempted to define Communication.

Communication is the process of sending and receiving ideas by means of verbal symbols.

In this sense communication is a process through which human beings interact.


Communication can also be defined as the entire process through which the sender and receiver exchange message in form of information, experience, ideas, facts, beliefs, and attitudes.

In other words, communication is the process of sending, receiving, and interpreting messages through which we relate to each other and to our larger world as well.

ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION

From the definition of Communication, we can see clearly that communication occurs when somebody says something to someone for a purpose.

There are several important elements of communication.

1. Sender (Source): this is the person from which the communication starts.

2. Message: This is the information or something the sender intends to send.

3. Receiver: This is the person who receives the information( message)

4. Stimulus: Something which propels communication. It is closely associated to the Source.

5. Medium: this refers to the form by which the source transfer his message to the receiver.
There are three media available to the source are oral, written and non verbal media.
Oral: when the source decides to speak out his mind
Written: when the source decides to put it in black and white
Non Verbal: the source decides to use gestures or body language.

6. The channel is another important element of communication. Channel is different from Medium. The medium is the form that the source used to put the message across while Channel is the actual conveyor of the message. For example, channel can be face to face, radio, television, telephone etc for oral communication, Letter, memorandum, report, newspaper, magazine etc for written communication while drawing, carvings, painting, sculpture etc for non Verbal Communication.

7. Feedback: This is the receiver's response to the sender's message. Without feedback, communication is incomplete. Feedback determines the success or failure of the communication between the sender and receiver.

8. Noise: This is also another element of communication because it can affect the success of communication. Noise refers to all distractions, which may obstruct any stage of the communication process.
There are three types of noise:
Physical noise: any natural of event which can be seen, heard or touched but has nothing to do with thought or mind. E.g radio, television sound or any impairment of hearing, vision or speech.
Psychological noise: this is traceable to the expression of mind and may include emotional outburst, poor mental attitude or fatigue
Linguistic noise: This concerns the inability to use or understand the language of communication effectively.
e.g Semantic noise: wrong choice of words, misinterpretation of words and unfamiliarity of words.
Grammatical noise: This may be as a result of syntax error or wrong use of grammar.
Phonological noise: This may occur as a result of poor pronunciation, poor intonation or poor stress.

9. Signal: This is the last element of communication. this refers to symbols and codes employed by those involved in communication. If the source understands the language of communication well, he will be able to encode the message perfectly. A thorough understanding of the language will also enable the receiver to decode the message accurately.