What do you mean by communication? What are the major types of communication? Describe the component of communication

What do you mean by communication? What are the major types of communication? Describe the component of communication.

Introduction:

Man felt the need of transferring his ideas to others from the very early period. Sign languages or expressive body language was the earliest form of communication; such forms of communication are still used by the deaf and dumb. Now it is the age of apex of communication because of coming into being many printed and non-printed media to communicate including electronic media and devices.

Meaning of communication:

The term communication derives from the Latin word 'communicare' which means "to make common, to share, to impart, to transmit. Simply stated communication is sending and receiving a message.

Definition of communication:

According to Kelly, "Communication is a dynamic, ever-changing, unending process by which people transmit information and feelings to others."

William D. Grady defines communication as "A person sends a message to someone for some purposes. The message could be a letter, a speech or a television program etc.

According to Lawrence Kincaid, "Communication is a process in which two or more individuals or groups share information in order to reach a mutual understanding each other."

Types of communication:

There are four types of communication. These are:

1. Oral communication

2. Documentary communication

3. Audio-visual communication

4. Mass communication.

Oral communication:

Oral communication is communication by word of mouth. This type of communication is maintained direct communication between tow or more people by oral channel, for example, dialoguing, face to face talking, telephone talk, group meeting etc.

Documentary communication:

Documentary communication is communication through written form and this kind of communication includes notes, letters, articles, reports, books, periodicals, email, fax, SMS etc.

Audio-visual communication:

It is an effective media of communication for listeners, viewers and illiterate also. There is a Chinese proverb that "one picture is equal to one thousands words." This type of communication includes photographs, pictures, drawings, maps, globes, films, radio, television, demonstrations etc.

Mass communication:

Ordinarily transmitting information to many persons is known mass communication. It is concerned with transmitting information, messages, thoughts, entertainment etc at a time to a large number of audiences. This type of communication includes radio, TV, Newspaper, mobile phone, cable TV, FM radio, Fax, etc.

There are another six types of communication depending on the bases of number of persons involved in communication process. These are:

1. Intrapersonal communication

2. Interpersonal communication

3. Small group communication

4. Organizational communication

5. Public communication

6. Mass communication.

iIntrapersonal communication: Communication occurring within an individual is called intrapersonal communication. In intrapersonal communication occurs when we think, feel, or act as well as verbalize to ourselves.

Interpersonal communication: Interpersonal communication is the process of sending and receiving a message from one person to another. e.g., face to face interaction, interview between two or more people, chatting with friend, sharing ideas and emotion between two people, etc.

3. Small group communication:

Small group communication happens when more than two people are involved in communicating a message face to face. This type of group is generally formed for a specific purpose.

4. Organizational communication: Organizational communication is a process by which an organization exchanges information and establishes a common understanding with the people within the organization and outside the organization.

5. Public communication: Public communication is a process of whereby a message is sent to a large number of people, usually face to face. Reports (oral), lectures and demonstration talk are few examples.

6. Mass communication:

Mass communication is a process of spreading a message through intermediary channels (radio, television, newspaper), at a time to a large number of heterogeneous audiences separated from a source by a great distance.

Elements of Communication Process

The elements of communication process are as follows:

1. Source or sender

2. Message

3. Channel(s)/medium

4. Receiver

5. Feedback

6. Barrier/Noise

1. Sender/Source/Encoder:

The person sender/source/encoder makes the decision to communicate. He must encode or create a message. The source generates a message through his/her past experiences, perceptions, thoughts and feelings.

2. Message:

A message is very important element, because communication occurs if there is a message between sender and receiver. Through symbol or letter sender can send massage to receiver.

3. Channel(s)/medium:

Channels carry messages from senders to receivers. The channel/medium can be print, electronic and sound. Such as : voice mail, e-mail, letter, newspaper, facial expressions, radio, television, Internet etc.

4. Receiver/Decoder:

Receiver is a person who receives a message. Receiver decodes (Interoperates) a message based on his/her past experiences, perceptions, thoughts and feelings.

5. Feedback:

Feedback is the response or reaction or return message from receiver to sender. Communication will be effective only when it receives some feedback.

6. Barriers/Noise:

Anything that can distort the message is barrier/noise. Such as insufficient or unclear information, inaccurately encoded, used wrong channel etc. These hamper the communication process.

Conclusion:

Communication is essential for every walk of our life for the development of society, education, culture and civilization. We are born with communication, live with communication and die with communication. We finally recognized that, communication is exchanging facts, thoughts, ideas, opinions, and feelings. So, we may say that communication is noting but sharing and understanding.