Basically, communication is an essential aspect of human beings in handling their activities (Katz, 2002). Over time, modes of communication have changed or have been improved to suit efficiency and accuracy while conveying the intended information. The mobile industry is among the recent innovations that have been made in regards to communication; mobile phones incorporate phone calls and text messaging among others as mode of communication. The two ways of communication are very popular worldwide and they have made a lot of contribution to human integration. In light of this, this paper aims at comparing between phone calls and text messaging.
There are similarities that define regular phone calls and text messages as ways of communication. One of the most significant similarities is that both modes are used to pass information. Despite the fact that one mode incorporates verbal communication and the one uses non-verbal communication, they both pass information. Another similarity is that the two modes require a sender and a recipient (Katz, 2002). Communication is effected when one person passes information to the other and they receive a feedback from the recipient. Making a phone call requires a signal carrier to send to the recipient the same way a text message is delivered to the respondent.
Conversely, there are several differences in text messages and phone calls and they range from usage, applications, user attitude, and efficiency among others. One of the significant differences is the urgency involved in the two methods of mobile communication. A phone call can be used in times of urgency because the caller requires an immediate response (Geser, 2004). For example, a call is very efficient while asking for emergency response because it is an urgent situation. On the contrary, for a text message the sender is not sure whether the recipient has seen it; hence, there is no sense of urgency. Secondly, a text message incorporates a lot of confidentiality and discrete as compared to calling. An individual can send a message secretively without the surrounding people noticing unlike a phone call where they have to talk. Thirdly, the cost of using these methods varies from one mode to another (Geser, 2004). Making a call is relatively expensive as compared to sending a text message. Sending message is relatively cheaper because one text can cost $0.05 while making a call per minute would cost 1 dollar.
A phone call can be applied by people with disability such as sight impairment. There are applications that have been developed that blind people can use to make calls; similarly, messaging requires typing where people with hand disabilities are disadvantaged. User attitudes also bring difference between a phone call and messaging; for example, the young generation is much fascinated with text messages than making phone calls. According to Geser (2004), younger generation will not free expressing their feelings with a phone call as compared to the text message. Similarly, a recipient can decode the attitude of a caller than a text message sender; hence, a phone call embraces non-verbal communication. In conclusion, phone calls and text messages are all modes of communication that are used by mobile phone devices. They both serve varied purposes and the user is at liberty of using any of them depending on the situation. For instance text messages are suitable while people are in a meeting and a phone call serves better in giving directions.
References
Geser, H. (2004). Towards a sociological theory of the mobile phone.
Katz, J. E., & Aakhus, M. (Eds.). (2002). Perpetual contact: Mobile communication, private talk, public performance. Cambridge University Press.
