Communication is a process of sharing ideas, conveying information, presenting thoughts, and exchanging messages. Such a transmission of ideas, messages, and information take place between one or more human beings or devices. In the process of sharing of information, it moves in a predefined channel in which there are a transmitter or sender, a medium, a message, and an intended receiver. During this, the sender and receiver can be human beings or any devices such as mobile, radio, television, and recorder. This information can be transmitted digitally or non-digitally across the globe for a short or long distance. So, the ultimate purpose of communication lies in making the receiver understands the messages of the senders effectively and efficiently. This term is a derivation of the Latin word "communis" which means “share” or “exchange.” One of the important quotes that define the communication is: "We all use language to communicate, to express ourselves, to get our ideas across, and to connect with the person to whom we are speaking."
Body
Communication is a term that always goes with human language and animal communication system. In broad sense, communication refers to both human and animal communication but it is only the human being that has language and letters of alphabets. On the other hand, animal has no language but only communication system which has no letters of alphabet but is based on a set of symbolic and fixed sound patterns. So, human being has Language Acquisition Device (LAD) which is intrinsically fitted in the brain that guides and controls the learning of language using different “linguistic” and “non-linguistic” terms. So, communication depends on the nature of exposure a human mind or brain is made in a socio-culture, family, and academic environment.
Classification of Communication
Broadly, communication is divided into two parts – verbal and non-verbal communication.
Verbal communication refers to the sharing of information or messages between two or more persons that use the elements of language such as word, phrase, sentence, and many more. These are fundamentals of verbal communication for transmission of any messages or information.
One of the important quote, classifies the communication is: “The act of communicating involves verbal, nonverbal and paraverbal components. The verbal component refers to the content of our message‚ the choice and arrangement of our words.”
Some of the key elements of verbal communication are:
a) Presence of text and sound
b) Grammatical acceptability of words, phrases and sentences
c) Formation of acceptable sentence
d) Application of quality and correct rhythm, tone, pitch, and volume
e) Audibility of sentence or presentation
f) Mixing of emotions with sound and text
g) Clarity and conciseness of information
Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication deals with non-textual and non-sound features of language that uses various types of gestures, postures, eye contact, physical contacts, and space. The combination of these terms is called body language. What it means to say that in communication, it is not only the word or sound that conveys meaning but also various actions and reactions of body language. So, in speaking, what matters most is not just text or sound but also the manner in which it is presented. In addition, the way one sits, the way one gets up, the way one walks, and the way one stands, while speaking, makes a difference and impacts the process and objective of communication. So, in the field of non-verbal communications, some of the points that should be borne in mind are:
a) Stand erect without bending one’s body.
b) Ensure eye contact with audience, not to look to the left, right, top and down.
c) Keep equal weight on both legs.
d) Maintain distance based on the relationship with the person one is speaking.
e) Keep a smiling face while talking.
f) Wear clean and tidy dress.
g) Shake hand firmly, without showing loose contact.
h) Keep rhythm, tone, and pitch based on the emotion of the presentation.
i) Do not show unnecessary gestures and postures.
j) Do not scratch or twitch one’s head, hand, nose or any parts of body
Conclusion
In the light of the aforesaid facts, it can be safely assumed that communication is a combination of verbal and non-verbal elements. These two elements, when combined in true sense, make communication effective, efficient, and purposeful. Therefore, it is the need of modern time in this information age to understand the nuances of communication and apply all the elements of verbal and non-verbal elements to make one’s communication presentable. Familiarizing with this knowledge of mixing verbal and non-verbal components makes one a good, effective, and efficient language users. So, let us learn these elements of communication of body language, text, and sound to convey one’s message to audience.
1. Rod Windle and Suzanne Warren (2011).Communication Skills. http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/section4.cfm. Resourceful Internet Solutions.
2. Bower, B. (2010, November 22). Shared talking styles herald new and lasting romance. U.S. News & World Report.
3. Donna Bellafiore(2011). Interpersonal Conflict and Effective Communication. Retrieved fromhttp://www.drbalternatives.com/articles/cc2.html
