Evaluating Communication Theory in Relation to Audience and Message
Communication theory explains how people are influenced by the communication methods, the communication subtle ques as well as processes involved in communication (Suresh, 2003). The basic theory of communication has four dimensions for the translators. They include the source or author or the speaker, the message, the channel and the audience or destination. In order for the message to reach the audience, there must be a channel through which to travel. When considered technically, the communicator is referred to as the conductor, the message be it words, signs, or pictures are referred to as symbols the channel can be the means or media where as the audience can be referred to as the decoder (Gordon, 1985).
The communication act is better understood when the translator is more acquitted with the original author, the author’s actual message as well as the original audience. This makes the communication to be more efficient. When the interpreter gets to know from another source the circumstances of the author, then it becomes easier for the actual message produced to be understood (Dainton and Zelley, 2010). Another important thing to know is the audience that the author intended to reach since it makes it easier for one to understand the original message. It is important to note that in addition to recognizing the message itself, the author and the audience are other components through which the interpreter gets to dig for more information concerning them. With most of the literature lacking the original author and audience, the only accessible party in the process of communication is the message itself (Robert , Larry and Newman, 1978).
In writing a text or message, the audience adaptation matters most. Audience adaptation determines what sort of relationship exists between a writer and a reader. When the audience targeted is considered, then the style, the way, as well as the tone of the author is affected (Casmir, 1994). When the author is writing, he or she conveys his or her information in a way or style that he or she believes will be of assistance to the audience in understanding the context better (Higgins and McCann, 1984). By defining the style of the message, in a reflective way of how individual readers perceive the world, helps to develop mutual understanding further as well as creates an effective way of communication (Mass communication, 2011). Text interpretation depends on processing information in relation to the previous knowledge of an individual as well as past experience. When writing, an author should put in mind who makes up the audience and how they would do the interpretation. This is because it is often hard to define an audience as a whole. For instance, the reader’s behavior and or the cultural influences affect how a reader interprets a message. Other elements like mood, attitude, or emotional state affect communication (Casmir, 1994).
Communication is found to be effective when the reaction, the result or the response that was desired is reached. The context is the one that determines communication. Generally, country or culture determines context whereas particularly, the attitude and the mindset of an individual determines it (Romesh, 2005). It is therefore the duty of the author to ensure that the message is not distorted on the way, in order to avoid misinterpretation on the part of the targeted audience. The author or source should use the most effective channel of communication to avoid distortion.
References
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Dainton, M. and Zelley, D., 2010. Applying communication Theory for Professional Life: A Practical Introduction. Florida: SAGE.
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