COMMUNICATION CHARACTERISTIC  

What & How you say something determines How & Why people will respond in the manner they do !Understanding what, when, how and why you say, determines your communication effectiveness. “

1
 Ted Slater
 
Communication was taking place among the Trinity even before the Creator said,“Let there be light.” And within a week of saying that, He had made a being who,having been created in His likeness, likewise communicated. The “Community of Persons” had created a being unlike any He had previously made. And as we gain a better understanding of communication, something in which both Creator and created participate, we will likely find ourselves better able to relate with God and with others.

The Word “Communication” Defined

“Communication,” which is etymologically related to both “communion” and “community,” comes from the Latin communicare, which means “to make common” (Weekley, 1967, p. 338) or “to share.” DeVito (1986) expanded on this, writing that communication is “[t]he process or act of transmitting a message from a sender to a receiver, through a channel and with the interference of noise” (p. 61). Some would elaborate on this definition, saying that the message transmission is intentional and conveys meaning in order to bring about change.

A process

A process is an ongoing, nonstatic activity. DeVito said, “Communication is referred to as a process to emphasize that it is always changing, always in motion” (p. 239). A process, therefore, is a series of actions (purposive, some would argue), something that may be better thought of as a continuum, rather than a point. Anderson (1987), while acknowledging that the concept of process is still poorly defined in research protocols, wrote, “The notion of process involves, at least, some time dimension which means that the characteristics, causes, and consequences of some communication act are subject to change over the life of the act” (p. 49). A key element in communication, then, is this concept of “change.”

The message

A message is a “signal or combination of signals that serves as a stimulus for a receiver” (DeVito, 1986, p. 201). This message may be either a sign or a symbol. A sign, on one hand, is a natural, universally understood phenomenon such as A Definition and Model for Communication • Ted Slater page 2 of 6 thunder (which follows the occurrence of lightning) and smoke (which suggests thata fire is also present). A symbol, on the other hand, exists by human convention. The object commonly called a stop “sign” — because it has been created by peopleto convey a message, and because it is not natural and universally understood — isan example of a symbol.The channelA channel is the “vehicle or medium through which signals are sent” (p. 52). Thischannel may convey the message visually or aurally, for example. It can be the space between two people talking, an online discussion board, or a television set, and so on.


Noise

Noise is defined to be “[a]nything that distorts the message intended by the source,anything that interferes with the receiver’s receiving the message as the source intended the message to be received” (p. 209). DeVito went on the identify three types of noise: physical noise, psychological noise, and semantic noise.The first type of noise interferes with the physical transmission of the signal or message: he gave the examples of cars screeching, air conditioners humming, a speaker’s lisp, and sunglasses. Psychological noise, on the other hand, may includebiases and prejudices, in both the sender and receiver, that lead to distortions inreceiving and processing information: closed mindedness, for example. In semantic noise, according to DeVito, “the interference is due to the receiver failing to grasp the meanings intended by the sender.” He listed jargon, technical, or complex terms as being examples of semantic noise.Most of those who study communication would identify one’s upbringing as the sole source of psychological noise. There are cases, however, when the source of interference is spiritual. The “evil one” is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as interfering with people’s reception and understanding of the Gospel. For example,Jesus said, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does notunderstand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart”(Matthew 13:19, NIV). God is able to protect His chosen, however, by placing a“hedge” around them, which protects them from Satanic interference (Job 1:10).Jesus further countered this satanic noise by opening His followers’ minds so thatthey were able to accurately perceive and interpret the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).
 
2
 John Khu
 

Communication is a basic tool of success in modern days. Communication means interaction between persons, or to a crowd. Interpersonal communication efficacy is considered as a skill since the bond of relationships relies on the power of it. The focus of the communication is to makes others understand about what you want to make them know. The primary need of the communication is that it must be clear and evident. The modern days are mentioned as the communication age since an evolution in the communication modes has been taking place. The developments in the communication have helped to shrink the world indeed into a global village. However, as the communication modes evolves, the necessity to streamline the communication also increases.

While streamline your communication, you must be conscious to use words, which are sufficient to convey your idea. The communication has to be molded considering various factors such as the occasion, mode of communication, and the person to whom you are communicating. Communication includes all the means of interaction such as speaking, writing, gestures, and expression. The basic protocol, which the person has to maintain in the communication, is considered as the etiquette of communication.

Streamlining of the communication has to be done according to the context of interaction. In case of business relationships, communication is extremely important. The special feature of business communication is that it must be short, and precise to the matter. In public speaking, communication has to be interesting. You have to adopt a sort of demonstration in public speaking, to make it appreciable for the whole crowd. Context relevant examples and jokes will make it really attractive. The preference in the personal communication has to fix in accordance with the other person. However, prior preparation for communication is advisable, in common to all types of communication.

The advent to new technologies has raised the necessity of streamlining the communication. From face to face interactions and mails, now, the horizon of communication has extended to telephone, fax, mobile phone and internet. The etiquette of communication has to be readjusted, with accordance with the peculiarities of the mode of communication such as for telephone speaking manners is important and for internet quick reply is the requirement. However, in streamlining, the general requirements for communication must be retained, such as it has to be interesting and pleasing. Any how, if you want the expected response, you definitely have to be an active listener too.

To add on, remember the saying, first impression is the best impression. An impressive start and interactive gestures will certainly make your attempt remarkable, in direct communications.

John Khu is an experience entrepreneur and internet marketer. He specializes in communication development and personal happiness.