Types of communication

Preface
After the discussion of meaning and importance, and dimensions of communication
it is worthwhile to have a look at the means/media and types of communication. Specially
after considering the directions/dimension of communication we can understand that there
may be various occasions requiring different types of communication. All communication
cannot be of the same type and cannot flow through the same means. Much depend on who
send a message to whom and for what purpose. It must be also be understood that a human
being has at his command a number of means of communication. We can have a look at
them in the following diagram:
MEDIA/MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

Verbal Non-verbal

Oral written sign language body language

Visual signs audio signs

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

The word ‘verbal’ means ‘connected with words and the use of words’. Human
beings are the only species gifted with the use of words that makes language. The process of
communication involved the use if a common set of symbols between the sender and the
recipient. Words are the most accurate and powerful sets of symbols. That is why it is
observed that all serious of formal communication in words. And the words may be spoken
or written.

Oral communication

Given a choice, people would rather talk to each others than write to each other.
As speech comes before writing it is worthwhile to take up oral communication before
written communication. Man learns to speak much before writing. In the same way, in an
organization people speak much more, before writing. There are a number of occasions,
both formal and informal when the people speak before communicating themselves in
writing. In fact, speech, or oral use of; language, acts as the first binding factor between one
personal and another. That is also the reason why communication becomes conversational
in nature. In an organization setting oral communication can take different forms in
different situation –
 a) Downward communication: oral communication can take place through.
- lectures
- meetings
- counseling
- personal instructions
- social and cultural affairs
- Grapevine

b) Upward communication: oral communication can take place through

- Conference
- Face to face conversations
- Telephone and other devices
- Union channels

c) Horizontal communication: oral communication can take place through.

- Grapevine
- Meeting and conferencing
- Social and other activities

d) Diagonal communication: in this form of communication, oral communication can

shape itself in following manner.
- Meeting
- Group discussion
- brainstorming exercise
- Official gets together

The above mentioned oral communication is not only necessarily used in every
organization, but it will be determined by the organizational needs, its size, resources
and management attitudes.

According to a research, an average manager in general spends only 9% of his/her

time in writing, 16% in reading, 30% in speaking and 45% in listening.

Advantages:
time saving
brings superior and subordinates nearer
economical
speaker opportunity
oral communication is personal in nature
Limitations:
may not always be time saving
cannot always be retained in the listener’s memory
in the absence of record, oral messages do not have validity
may leads to misunderstanding
not always suitable if message is long

Written communication
 After discussing the oral communication it is worthwhile to discuss the nature and
importance of written communication. While oral communication comes naturally and
spontaneously to man, written communication requires a lot of effort. By its very nature
writing is a result of fairly long practice in learning. It need not may be repeated that
speech comes first and writing comes afterwards. In all languages of the world writing
appeared ages after speaking. History of civilization shows us different stages through
which the formation of letters of the alphabet of any language has passed. But one thing
is clear. Whatever has been written, unless destroyed, has become permanent. Words
spoken are, however, likely to be forgotten. That is why written communication is
indispensable.
Advantages:
Provides us records, references etc.
builds up the legal
it builds up the image of the company
it can be checked for accuracy
it is permanent
Responsibility can be easily assigned.
Limitations:
time consuming
immediate feedback is not possible
costly in terms of money and man-hours
absence of immediate clarification
Written materials may leak out before time.
Excessive formality in personal relation.

Conclusion:
In conclusion we can say that written communication remain the backbone of an
organization; whatever be its disadvantages or limitations. Almost all formal
communication is in writing.