1.

0 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION SKILLS

1.1 Defining the Term Communication

Since communication happens around us all the time, the process is often taken for granted. A
large amount of time is spent communicating hence there is need to make sure that ideas and
information are put in a way that everyone involved can understand. Thinking about what to say,
working out the best way of saying it, finding the right words, making sure the other person
understands and understanding anything he\she says in reply are all vital stages in communication.

Communication comes from the Latin “communis”, which means “common”. When we
communicate, we are trying to establish “commonness” with someone. That is, we are trying to
share information, an idea or an attitude (Schramm, 1993). Looking further, you can find this type
of definition: “Communications is the mechanism through which human relations exist and
develop” (Schramm, 1993).

Carl Hovland, a well-known psychologist defined communication as “the process by which an

individual (the communicator) transmits stimuli (usually verbal symbols) to modify the behavior
of the other individuals (communicates)”.

Other scholars define communication as:-

 “Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not
it elicits confidence; but the information transferred must be understandable to the
receiver.” - G.G. Brown.
 “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. When a relationship is working, the
act of communicating seems to flow relatively effortlessly. When a relationship is
deteriorating, the act of communicating can be as frustrating as climbing a hill of sand.”
- Chip Rose, attorney and mediator.
 “Communication is the intercourse by words, letters or message.”- Fred G. Meyer.

This can therefore lead us to define communication as giving, receiving or exchanging ideas,
information, signals or messages through appropriate media, enabling individuals or groups to
persuade, to seek information, to give information or to express emotions. This broad definition
includes body-language, skills of speaking and writing. It also outlines the objectives of
communication and emphasizes listening as an important aspect of communication.

1.2 Types of Communication

As aforementioned, communication is a process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts,

feelings and emotions through speech, signals, writing, or behavior. In communication process, a
sender (encoder) encodes a message and then using a medium/channel sends it to the receiver
(decoder) who decodes the message and after processing information, sends back appropriate
feedback/reply using a medium/channel. People communicate with each other in a number of ways
that depend upon the message and its context in which it is being sent. Choice of communication
channel and your style of communicating also affect communication.

Fig 1: Types of communication (Source: www.educba.com).