Etymology

In early 16th century

Latin = communis means common opinion

communicare means to share

English = communicate

Affixation

communicate – rootword

-ion – suffix (the process of)

Communication is the stimulation of meaning through the exchange of shared symbols (Infante and
Womach, 1990).

It is a process in which participants create information with one another to reach mutual understanding
(Rogers, 1996).

It is a social interaction through messages, (Gerbner 1967).

It involves a SPEAKER imparting ideas, concepts, data to a group of LISTENERS (the Audience) – this is
communication

A process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to another within and
across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014)

Communication is about two people talking such as with a sibling, parent, a teacher, or a friend, face-to-
face in real life or even via the Internet.

Communication is stirring up ideas in the mind of another. It is the sharing ideas among group of
people. It is imparting concepts to an audience. Monroe et al. (1982)

Nature of Communication

 Communication is a process.

 Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).

 Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both
spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.

Elements of Communication

1. Speaker – the source of information or message

2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions.

3. 3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the
speaker understands.

4. 4. Channel – the medium or the means, in which the encoded message is conveyed.

5. 5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver.

6. 6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message.
 7. 7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver

8. 8. Context – the environment where communication takes place

9. 9. Barriers – the factors that affect the flow of communication

Models of Communication

The three settings in Aristotle’s time

Legal Setting - meant for ordinary people who

defended themselves.
Deliberative Setting – meant for Political
Assemblies
Ceremonial Setting – meant for celebrations

Shannon-Weaver Model

Shannon-Weaver Model

- known as the mother of all communication models

- Gives the concept of “noise”

- depicts communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements

- Telephone Model

Schramm’s Model
Wilbur Schramm - is the father of Mass Communication

Asserts that communication can take place if and only if there is an overlap between the field of
experience of the speaker and the field experience of the listener.

Eugene White tells that communication is a

circular and continuous, without a beginning
and an end.
The speaker can only receive feedback if the speaker is monitoring the listener.

BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

• The use of jargon. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms

Ex. AWOL - Absent without leave

BTW - By the way

LOL - Laugh out loud

10-4 - Radio jargon meaning Okay or I understand

Getting on a soapbox - Making a speech in public

• Emotional barriers and taboos. Some people may find it difficult to express their emotions and
some topics may be completely 'off-limits' or taboo

Ex. Anger - Anger can affect the way your brain processes information given to you.
Anxiousness - Anxiety has a negative impact on the part of your brain that manages creativity and
communication skills.

• Lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver.

Ex. Being easily distracted, gazing out of the window, getting bored, you pay more attention to how
you feel about the speaker and their physical appearance than to what they are saying

• Physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties

Ex. physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate and vocal misuse

Speech disorders refer to difficulties producing speech sounds or problems with voice quality.

• Language differences and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents

Ex. If the speaker and receiver do not use same language,

if a Filipino talks to a person from London, they do not understand most of the words the other
says even though they both speak English

• Differences in perception and viewpoint.

Ex. Pride - The need to be right all the time will not only annoy others, it can shut down effective
communication.

Having a Closed Mind

• Cultural differences. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different cultures, as do the
way in which emotions are expressed. For example, the concept of personal space varies
between cultures and between different social settings.

E.g. If someone tells you that you walk like an elephant, you will probably take offense and
confront the person. In the Philippines, to be compared with elephants means one is huge or
fat. But in Myanmar, when a guy likes a girl, he tells her that she walks like an elephant to mean
that she is elegant and queenly.

Verbal Communication - refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message.

Consider the following when engaging in this type of communication.

1. Appropriateness

The language that you use should be appropriate to the environment or occasion (i.e., whether formal
or informal).

2. Brevity

Speakers who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are found to be more credible. Try to
achieve brevity by being more direct with your words. Avoid fillers and insubstantial expressions which
do not add to the message, such as “uh,” “you know,” “I guess,” and others.

3. Clarity

The meanings of words, feelings, or ideas may be interpreted differently by a listener; hence, it is
essential for you to clearly state your message and express your ideas and feelings.
4. Ethics

Words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles, ethnicity, preferences, and
status of the person or people you are talking to.

5. Vividness

Words that vividly or creatively describe things or feelings usually add color and spice to communication.
Hence, you are encouraged to find ways to charm your audience through the use of vivid words.

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

 Refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey and represent meanings.

 All kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words are classified as nonverbal
communication.

Examples of nonverbal communication

 Stares

 smiles

 tone of voice

 Movements

 manners of walking

 standing and sitting

 Appearance

 style of attire

 gestures

Mastery of nonverbal communication is important for several reasons:

 It enhances and emphasizes the message of your speech, thus making it more meaningful,
truthful, and relevant.

 It can communicate feelings, attitudes, and perceptions without you saying a word.

 It can sustain the attention of listeners and keep them engaged in the speech.

 It gives the audience a preview to the type of speaker you are.

 It makes you appear more dynamic and animated in your delivery.

 It serves as a channel to release tension and nervousness.

 It helps make your speech more dramatic.

 It can build a connection with listeners.

 It makes you a credible speaker.

 It helps you vary your speaking style and avoid a monotonous delivery.
 TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

 Paralanguage – is about the “how” something is said, not what is said.

 Language of flowers – meanings are influenced by culture and gender.

 Language of colors – the use of colors based on the meaning of each color

 Language of time (Chronemics) – shows how time is viewed differently in various countries.

 Language of space (Proxemics) – the use of space to show importance

 Language of touch (Haptics) – the use of touch to express what cannot be said

 Gestures - a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or
meaning.

DIFFERENT GESTURES:

1. Emphasizing gestures – punctuate what we want to highlight

2. Regulating gestures – used to control the flow of communication

3. DIFFERENT GESTURES:

4. 3. Illustrating – use to show the size, height, distance or similar qualities

5. 4. Emblems - gestures associated with specific meaning. Eg. A clenched fist is associated with
activism

6. Facial expression - the configuration of eyes, eyebrows, lips, cheeks, nose and forehead to show
how the person feels

7. Posture and personal appearance – the way one carries and dresses oneself

FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION

1. Control/Regulation

Control means “the power to regulate, direct, or dominate.”

Communication is an effective tool to control the response of other people (formal or informal
setting).

As a function of communication it means being able to use language, gestures, and emotions to
manage individual or group activities.

Communication functions to control behavior. Be assertive but not aggressive.

EXAMPLES

A parent telling a child not to misbehave

A policeman directing pedestrians not to jaywalk

2. Social Interaction
 Communication functions as a way to relate experiences, behavior, decisions, and opinions as a
foundation for people to create and sustain relationships.

Communication allows individuals to interact with others.

EXAMPLES

A newcomer in a group can create relationship through taking opportunities for interaction

Family members asking each other about their day’s event

3. Motivation

Communication functions to motivate or encourage people to live better.

It functions to motivate because there is a goal to be achieved or a motive to be accomplished.

EXAMPLES

A presidential candidate campaigning for election

A vendor convincing people to buy his products

A teacher praising his student for a job well done

4. Information

Considered as the most basic function of communication

Communication functions to convey information.

EXAMPLES

A dentist tells a kindergarten class how to brush one’s teeth properly.

A weather forecaster explains the meaning of low pressure area.

A history teacher discussing how the Filipinos fought during the Spanish era

5. Emotional Expression

Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings and emotions.

Provides release for the emotional expression of feelings and for the fulfilment of social needs.

EXAMPLES

Yelling to relieve one’s frustrations

A cancer survivor thanking those people who help her during her medication