Basic Elements of Communication

SOURCE

The source of the communication transaction is the originator of the message. Also known
as the sender of information, the source initiates the communication process. In speech
communication, we can identify the source to be the speaker, the one delivering the message.
In daily life situations we are all sources of information as we relate to others and speak our
ideas to them. We are both a source of message, consciously and unconsciously.

MESSAGE

In the simplest sense, a message may be thought of as an idea, concept, emotion, desire,
or feeling that a person desires to share with another human being. A message may be in
verbal or non-verbal codes. The purpose of a message is to evoke meaning in another person.
Some messages are intentional some are not.

CHANNEL

A channel is the means by which a message moves from a person to another. The channel
is the medium or vehicle by which we are able to transmit the message to the recipient. The
means we use to communicate is the channel. The country’s president to deliver his message to
his fellowmen may speak face to face with an audience, via the broadcast media or via print.
Language is the basic medium of communication available to man.

RECEIVER

The receiver gets the message channeled by the source of information. In a one way
communication process, he is in the other end. But in a dynamic communication process the
receiver may start to share his ideas and hence become also a source of information for the
originator of the message. Listeners and audience are receivers of information. In a classroom
situation, the students spend a lot of time as receivers of information.

EFFECT

Feedbackis that integral part of the human communication process that allows the speaker
to monitor the process and to evaluate the success of an attempt to get the desired response
from the receiver. Also called “return signals,” it has a regulatory effect upon the speaker since
the speaker must adjust to the feedback responses in order to be successful. In a public
communication situation, the response of acceptance of the audience with their applause may
be considered a feedback.

NOISE

Noise may occur anywhere along the communication line, and it may be physical,
physiological, or psychological in nature. Noise is any interference in the communication
process. Annoying vocal habits of the speaker may interfere in the transmission of his verbal
signals. Noise as a barrier may originate from the source or the receiver, from the channel used
in sending the message, or outside of the source and receiver’s control. The poor listening of
the audience and their unnecessary actions may also interfere in the communication process.

CONTEXT

Communication does not take place in a vacuum. Between communicators, the process
takes place in a particular communication situation where the identifiable elements of the
process work in a dynamic interrelation. This situation is referred to as the context– the when
and where of a communication event. Communication contexts vary depending on the need,
purpose, number of communicators and the ways exchange is taking place. Communication can
be intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, cultural, public or mediated.

4. Inferring from the given activity, what is communication?

The word communication is derived from the Latin terms cum munis [to make common]
and communicare[to share]. Hence, communication is defined as the exchange of information,
thoughts, ideas, feeling and the like.

5. When do we communicate?

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:

Communication is dynamic – it is not static. It is not fixed but always changing. As it deals
with change of behavior it changes constantly.

Your manner of speaking changes when you are happy, sad, angry, etc.

Communication is systematic – a simple speech communication occurs within a larger

system.

You cannot answer if you don’t know the question.

 If you can’t contact the person, just go to their house.

Communication is transactional – the essence of the term transaction is relationship.

Included in the transactional characteristic of communication is the fact that each
communication event is unique combination of people, messages, and situation that
operate to achieve some definite purpose.

You talk to your friends when you ask for advice.

Communication is adaptive – communication takes place with an intention to achieve some

outcome. In this process it must adapt to change. Thus, communication must pay attention
to the other person, to the topic, to the physical surroundings, to motives and needs, and to
other elements that we will study in this text. The ability to adjust and adapt to changing
situation is a characteristic of effective communication.

You don’t talk to teachers the same way you talk to your friends.

Communication is continuous – it has no beginning and no end. We can consider

communication as a product of a previous communication event that proceeds to another
communication situation.