Communication - meaning

• Latin word 'Communis' which means 'in common'.

• communication means sharing of ideas, opinions, facts and information in
common.
• According to the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary,
• Communication means "the imparting, conveying or exchange of ideas,
knowledge, etc. whether by speech, writing or signs". The word
communication can be defined as follows:
• According to Shurter, "Communication is imparting or exchanging thoughts
or information."
• Communication is the process by which information is transmitted
between individuals and/or organizations
• Another very simple definition of 'communication' has been provided by W.
H. Newman and CR Summer Jr. Communication is an exchange of facts,
ideas, opinions, or emotions by two or more persons.
 Communication meaning
• Neither transmission of message nor message itself.
• It is the mutual exchange of understanding, originating with the receiver.
• Needs to be effective in business.
• Essence of management.
• The basic functions of management cannot be performed well without effective
communication.
• Communication here plays a very important role in process of directing and
controlling the people in the organization.
• Immediate feedback can be obtained and misunderstandings if any can be
avoided.
• There should be effective communication
• between superiors and subordinated in an organization,
• between organization and society at large
• between management and trade unions.
• It is essential for success and growth of an organization.
• Communication gaps should not occur in any organization.
 Communication meaning
• Process of exchanging verbal and non verbal messages.
• It is a continuous process.
• Pre-requisite of communication is a message.
• Message must be conveyed through some medium to the recipient.
• It is essential that this message must be understood by the recipient
in same terms as intended by the sender.
• He must respond within a time frame.
• Communication is a two way process
• Incomplete without a feedback
• the recipient to the sender on how well the message is understood by him.
 Characteristics of communication
• It involves at least two persons.
• Communication involves at least two persons, a sender and receiver.
• The sender is called communicator and the receiver of the message is known
as communicatee.
• A person who speaks, writes or issues some instructions is the sender
• The person for whom the communication is meant or who receives the
message is the receiver communicatee.
• Message is a must.
• A message is the subject-matter of communication, e.g., the contents of the
letter or speech, order, instructions or the suggestions.
• A communication must convey some message.
• If there is no message there is no communication.
 Characteristics of communication
• Communication may be written, oral or gestural.
• Communication is generally understood as spoken or written words.
• But in reality, it is more than that.
• It includes everything that may be used to convey meanings from one person
to another,
• e.g., movement of lips, or the wink of an eye or the wave of hands may convey more
meaning than even written or spoken words.
• Communication is a two-way process.
• It involves both information and understanding.
• Communication is not complete unless the receiver has understood the
message properly and
• His reaction or response is known to the sender.
• Understanding is the end result of communication but it does not imply
agreement.
• Feedback
 Characteristics of communication
• Its primary purpose is to motivate a response.
• The primary purpose of communication is to motivate a response or human behaviour.
• There is no doubt that motivation comes from within
• But communicator can also motivate people by good drafting of message, proper timing of
communication, etc.
• To create understanding, communication should be relevant to the situation
• Communication may be formal or informal:
• Formal communication follows the formal channels provided in the organization structure.
• For example the Managing Director communicates with the departmental heads, say Finance
Manager, finance manager will communicate to deputy Finance Manager, the deputy finance
manager with accounts officer and so on. In simple words, it is formal communication, there
is no direct communication between the Managing Director and the accounts clerks.
• Informal communication flows from informal channels of communication which are not
provided in the organization structure.
• These channels develop' among members because of personal contacts through working
with each other.
 Elements of communication
• Sender or Communicator:
• The sender, speaker, issuer or writer who intends to convey or transmit a message.
• Receiver or Communicatee:
• The receiver, listener, reader etc. for whom the communication or information is
meant.
• Message :
• The subject-matter of communication. It is the content of a letter, information itself,
order, instruction, idea or suggestion etc.
• Media or channel:
• The method through which message or information is passed.
• It serves as a link between communicator and communicatee.
• Response:
• The effect, reply or reaction of the message or information on the communicatee.
• Every communication seeks positive response.
• It is only possible if the message is meaningful and understand by communicatee
 Process of communication
• Communication is a process where a communicator transmits the
message to communicatee in order to influence his response.
• There are six distinct steps in a communication process.
 Process of communication
• Source of Idea:
• The Source of idea is the process by which one formulates an idea to
communicate to another party.
• This process can be influenced by external stimuli such as books or radio, or
• It can come about internally by thinking about a particular subject.
• The source idea is the basis for the communication.
• The communicator, first of all, formulates a clear idea in his mind about the
facts or information to be conveyed.
• Message:
• The Message is what will be communicated to another party.
• It is based on the source idea, but the message is drafted to meet the needs
of the audience.
• For example, if the message is between two friends, the message will take a
different form than if communicating with a superior.