Communication

ASISH , kolkata: Nov 23 2007

- ASISH BASAK

Communication encompasses the concept of transference and understanding of an idea sent by the sender and absorbed by the receiver through a proper medium. If the encoded message deviates greatly from the intended one, some experts aver that communication had not actually taken place. When a message has been exchanged but the vital content is missing, then it is equivalent to a fruitless communication. Thus it can be inferred that communication is a process or flow which may be hindered by blockage or obstacles in the medium. The total flow may be thought to originate from the sender (source), then pass intermediate channels and then reach the receiver, from whom a feed back to the original source completes the entire loop.
During its meandering journey from the sender till the receiver, the original message has to be encoded and decoded several times if there are several intervening bodies. This operation depends on the skill set of the entities (like his reading, writing, listening and reasoning ability), socio-cultural conditions, timing and the complexity of the message itself, etc. The mode or channel of communication, be it formal (authority in an organisation, media, etc.) or informal (friends, family members, grapevine in the office, etc.) also significantly affect communication. The vocalised message invariably takes different shapes when accompanied by various bodily gestures, facial expressions and other non-verbal messages. All these factors may combine to distort the veracity of the actual or intended fact when the receiver gives the feedback as a check against misunderstandings.
Communication has great scope all over the world in almost every aspect of life, be it family, friendship, offices, public places, etc. It is the basic cornerstone of the career decision of a job aspirant. The critical skill of being clear and coherent in both organisational and personal life is the key to communication effectiveness. In these changing times of instant access and limitless information, we must be constantly alert that we are understood properly and equally make sure we understand others as well.
The word ‘communication’ comes from adjoining two Latin root words-’cum’ (meaning ‘with’) and ‘unio’ (union). Thus, in etymology and spirit, communication has the onerous responsibility to impart commonality and harmony. Over the years, as the horizon of communication has broadened, it has brought into its fold diverse range of people, demographics, habits, tolerance level, activities, etc.
Successful communication inherently depends on the credibility and sincerity of the communicator, coupled with the perceptibility and attitude of the receiver. As communication is basically an interaction process, variety of perceptions and difference in judgment usually creates a lot of problem in transmission of ideas and information. The dialogue which we have visualized, written and rehearsed many times must sound as good as they were intended to be when they are actually delivered.
Like the sender, a receiver also affects communication in varying degree by their poor retention capacity, lack of interest and attention, disagreement with the message, unacceptability of new ideas and changes, insincerity and a host of other factors, all of which may not be mental. Difference in age, cultural standing, technical know-how, managerial hierarchy, timing and type of the message, semantic problem, filtering of the original message (unnecessary additions and alterations, chopping and changing of words to suit one’s purpose, putting unintended emphasis on certain words for vested interests) are a few of the well-known hurdles of communication we face everyday in different spheres of life.
Although communication is an extrinsic process, its success apparently depends a great deal on the inherent ability of the perceiver. It takes various forms and draws different shades from his attitude, interests, needs, emotions, knowledge, adaptability, motivation, religious beliefs, economic status, past experiences, etc.
Major drawback in a communication mostly occurs from ill-constructed messages, with either too scanty or excess information packed in it. Usage of high sounding words, highlighting the ‘I’ or ‘My’ word in each sentence and giving scant respect for the position of the receiver and surroundings are recipes for a disastrous communication. Unwanted noise, passing of too many hands before the actual delivery as a result of distance between the sender and the receiver (or due to intervening channel partners), formalities and social clauses, etc. provide unwanted interruptions to swift and successful communication. Bias in perception may be caused due to stereotyping (attributing general characteristics to all members of a class or group), halo effect (single trait overshadowing other features), mirror image (wishing that others follow you) and comparison (contrasting features of different individuals).
Thus we see that communication is dependent on a combination of several factors for it to be an ultimate success. We must be very careful in not confusing communication as only information. Communication is actually a medium; it is an act, while information is the message or the extractable content of the communication. Thus the medium must not be confused with the message itself.
We also have to remember that we communicate With someone and Not To someone. It must always be a team effort between the speaker and the listener for a successful communication to take place. And both the parties have to co-operate with each other. Especially when the communication is object-oriented, that is, when you want something from somebody, there must not be any ambiguity.
Hence we should always give due respect and value to each word for ‘words are the ambassadors of our souls’. Then only we can comprehend the true value of successful communication.