Communication is any process in which people share information, ideas, and feelings to construct

meaning, establish relations and build understanding. It is a meaningful exchange that involves not
only the spoken and written word, but also body language, personal mannerisms and style, the
physical environment anything that adds meaning to a message (Hybels & Weaver, 1998). This
process takes place through the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages (Brooks & Heath, 1993).
Communication is nature to humans. We communicate because it is nature to our ability as feeling,
thinking and socializing creatures. In our daily lives we always engage in various forms of
communication. Our very existence and our relationships depend heavily on how we are able to
communicate what we feel and think, yet we often overlook the importance of understanding
communication because it is too common to us.
Looking at Communication as a Process
Communication takes place, everywhere at anytime. It changes in various situations and affects
change among participants as the process takes place. Process implies dynamics and change. It
implies parts interacting and influencing each other so as to function as a whole. Brooks and
Heath posit that when we accept the concept of process, we view communication events and
relationships as dynamic, systematic, transactional, adaptive, and continuous: The study of oral
communication considers the process as essential to facilitate understanding between the speaker and
the audience. Thus, communication is viewed as the process of understanding and sharing meaning
consists of activities of exchange and sets of behavior that applies in the perception, interpretation,
and comprehension of meaning of the verabl and non-verbal behavior of individuals (Pearson & Nelson,
2000). Therefore, oral communication is understood as that dynamic and systematic process of sharing
meaning and understanding meaning through verbal and non-verbal exchange between individuals in
interaction within a given context.

In linear model, communication is considered one way process where sender is

the only one who sends message and receiver doesn't give feedback or
response. The message signal is encoded and transmitted through channel in
presence of noise. The sender is more prominent in linear model of
communication.
Linear model was founded by Shannon and Weaver which was later adapted by
David Berlo into his own model known as SMCR (Source, Message, Channel,
Receiver) Model of Communication.

Transactional Model Concept & Example

Transactional model is the process of continuous change and transformation
where every component is changing such as the people, their environments and
the medium used. Due to this, it assumes the communicators to be independent
and act any way they want. Since both sender and receiver are necessary to
keep the communication alive in transactional model, the communicators are
also interdependent to each other. For example, transactional communication is
not possible if the receiver is not listening to sender.

The transactional model is the most general model of communication. Everyday

talk and interactions are also a form of transactional model communication. It is
more efficient for communicators with similar environment and individual
aspects. For instance, communication between people who know each other is
more efficient as they share same social system.
In transactional model, efficiency and reliability of communicated message also
depends on the medium used. For example, the same message might not be
perceived by a person the same way when it is send through a phone and when
it is provided face to face. It is because of possible loss of message on a phone
call or absence of gestures.

Interactive communication occurs when feedback is used to alter or adjust a message as it is presented
or delivered to the receiver. The progressive change in communication technologies has resulted in an
alteration in the way communication is used and perceived. Asynchronous and synchronous
communications are used in e-mails, chat rooms, interactive video conferencing, virtual learning spaces,
and voice chat.

The Communication Process

A message or communication is sent by the sender through a communication
channel to a receiver, or to multiple receivers.
The sender must encode the message (the information being conveyed) into a form that is
appropriate to the communication channel, and the receiver(s) then decodes the message to
understand its meaning and significance.
Misunderstanding can occur at any stage of the communication process.
Effective communication involves minimising potential misunderstanding and overcoming any
barriers to communication at each stage in the communication process..
An effective communicator understands their audience, chooses an appropriate communication
channel, hones their message to this channel and encodes the message to reduce
misunderstanding by the receiver(s).
They will also seek out feedback from the receiver(s) as to how the message is understood and
attempt to correct any misunderstanding or confusion as soon as possible.
Receivers can use techniques such as Clarification and Reflection as effective ways to ensure that
the message sent has been understood correctly.

iCommunication is a process whereby information is enclosed in a package and is

channeled and imparted by a sender to a receiver via some medium. The receiver
then decodes the message and gives the sender a feedback. All forms of
communication require a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, however
the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at
the time of communication in order for the act of communication to occur.
Communication requires that all parties have an area of communicative
commonality. There are auditory means, such as speech, song, and tone of voice,
and there are nonverbal means, such as body language, sign language,
paralanguage, touch, eye contact, through media, i.e., pictures, graphics and sound,
and writing
The elements of communication Communication is a two-way process that results in
a shared meaning or common understanding between the sender and the reciever.
An understanding of how communication works can help us to understand and
improve our communication. The basic communication model consists of five
elements of communication: the sender, the receiver, the message, the channel and
feedback. Sender The sender plays the specific role of initiating communication.
To communicate effectively, the sender must use effective verbal as well as
nonverbal techniques. Speaking or writing clearly, organizing your points to make
them easy to follow and understand, maintaining eye contact, using proper
grammar and giving accurate information are all essential in the effectiveness of
your message. You will lose your audience if it becomes . 2 10 aware of
obvious oversights on your part. The sender should have some understanding of
who the receiver is in order to modify the message to make it more relevant.
Receiver The receiver means the party to whom the sender transmits the message.
A receiver can be one person or an entire audience of people. In the basic
communication model, the receiver, is directly across from the speaker. The receiver
can also communicate verbally and nonverbally. The best way to receive a message
is to listen carefully, sitting up straight and making eye contact. Dont get distracted
or try to do something else while you're listening. Nodding and smiling as you listen
to the sender speak demonstrate that you understand the message. Message The
message may be the most crucial element of effective communication. A message
can come in many different forms, such as an oral presentation, a written
document, an advertisement or just a comment. In the basic communication model,
the wayfrom one point to another represents the sender's message traveling to the
receiver. The message isn't necessarily what the sender intends it to be. Rather, the
message is what the receiver perceives the message to be. As a result, the sender
must not only compose the message carefully, but also evaluate the ways in which
the message can be interpreted. Channel The message travels from one point to
another via a channel of communication. The channel sits between the sender and
receiver. Many channels, or types, of communication exist, from the spoken word to
radio, television, an Internet site or something written, like a book, letter or

magazine. Every channel of communication has its advantages and disadvantages.

For example, one disadvantage of the written word, on a computer screen or in a
book, is that the receiver cannot evaluate the tone of the message. For this reason,
effective communicators word written communications clearly so they don't rely on
a specific tone of voice to convey the message accurately. The advantages of
television as a channel for communication include its expansive reach to a wide
audience and the sender's ability to further manipulate the message using editing
and special effects. Feedback The last element of effective communication,
feedback, describes the receiver's response or reaction to the sender's message.
The receiver can transmit feedback through asking questions, making comments or
just supporting the message that was delivered. Feedback helps the sender to
determine how the receiver interpreted the message and how it can be improved.
Communication skills This competency means that the sender is able to express his
ideas and reflections clearly, make contacts with people quickly and to maintain
them, provide feedback, be tolerant to different customs and cultures.
Communication competency means that the sender is able to look for, find and
transfer different, information, coordinate all inner and outer . 3 10
information that reaches the organization.
How to be a good communicator express own reflections and ideas clearly
develop relationships provide feedback (answers, reacts) be open to others
feedback (accept others answer without prejudice, references etc. respect
attitudes and opinions of others be tolerant to different customs and cultures
Give full attention to people while they are talking to you. Encourage other people
to talk, and ask appropriate questions. Present your ideas so that others are
receptive to your point of view. Treat people fairly and let others know how you
want to be treated. Value teamwork and know how to build cooperation and
commitment. Strive to understand other people and to be empathetic. Be able
to easily win peoples trust and respect. Check to make sure you have understood
what other people are trying to communicate. Follow through on your
commitments. Be able to work with people you have difficulties with without
becoming negative yourself. Four keypoints of communication.

Intercultural Communication Defining Intercultural Communication Intercultural

communication takes place when individuals influenced by different cultural
communities negotiate shared meanings in interaction.1 What counts as
intercultural communication depends in part on what one considers a culture, and
the definition of culture itself is quite contestable. Some authorities limit the term
intercultural communication to refer only to communication among individuals
from different nationalities.2 Other authorities, in contrast, expand the notion of
intercultural communication to encompass inter-ethnic, inter-religious, and even
inter-regional communication, as well as communication among individuals of
different sexual orientations.3,4 In this sense, all interactions can be arrayed along
some continuum of interculturalness.5 Interactions are most highly intercultural
when individuals group identities are most salient in determining the values,
prejudices, language, nonverbal behaviors, and relational styles upon which those
individuals draw. To the degree that interactants are drawing more on personal or
idiosyncratic values, personality traits, and experiences, the interaction can be
characterized as more interpersonal than intercultural. When individuals from
different cultural backgrounds become more intimate, their interactions typically
move along the continuum from more intercultural to more interpersonal, though
intercultural elements may always play a role. For casual or business
communication, sensitivity to intercultural factors is key to success.