Process of Communication

Difference between General

And
Technical Communication
 The word communication is derived from Latin word
“communis” or “ communicare” or “communico”. It means
sharing – sharing of information or intelligence (knowledge).
 Communication means transfer of message / information from
sender to receiver. But, in communication only transfer of
message is not sufficient. In addition to this, the message must
be properly received and understood by the receiver in proper
sense. Thus, communication is sharing of information and
understanding.
 “Newstorm & Davis”
Communication is transfer of information from one person to
another. It is a way of reaching others by transmitting ideas,
facts, thoughts, feelings and value.
 “W.H.Newman”
“Communication is an exchange of ideas, opinions or
emotions by two or more persons.”
 Communication is a process.

sender

feedback
message
response
channel

receiver
 ENCODING DECODING
Channel Reciever
Sender message
MEDIUM
SENDER RESPONSE

FEEDBACK
 The process of communication starts with
generation of idea.
 This idea arises in the mind of sender.
 The sender thinks about a particular
matter and thereafter, an idea arises in his
mind.
 After this he has to convert the idea into
message.
 After the generation of idea, the sender has to
convert his ideas into message.
 This process of converting ideas into message
is known as encoding.
 For this purpose the sender has to select and
use certain words or symbols. (such as signs,
pictures)
 After preparing the message the sender has to
transmit the message through some channel or
medium.
 Channel is some media through which there is a
transfer of message from sender to receiver.
 There are different channels of communication like
letter, telephone, post card, fax, e.mail etc.
 When the receiver receives the message he tries to
understand it by the process of decoding.
 It is reverse of encoding.
 Decoding means the process of converting the message
into some ideas or meaning i.e. to interpret and to
understand the idea in right sense.
 The process of decoding is influenced by receiver’s
knowledge , intelligence, past experience and his
relation with sender.
 After receiving and understanding the message, the
receiver reacts to it.
 This means he gives response or replies to the
message.
 The message may be immediate or deferred. It may be
favourable or unfavourable.
 E.g. when a person writes a letter of congratulation to
the friend on his success in examination, he may give
response by writing letter of thanks.
 When the sender sends the message, he is interested in
knowing his message is received and properly understood by
the receiver or not.
 He can find out this by getting feedback from the receiver.
 Feedback is essential as it is a barometer of effective
communication.
 Feedback is the observation or knowledge of the response of
receiver.
 Immediate feedback is possible only in case of face to face
communication or in telephonic communication.
 Thus, in the process of communication :
First the sender creates an idea, the idea
becomes message thereafter message is
transferred through some channels, the
receiver receives the message and gives his
response, finally the sender gets feedback.
GENERAL COMMUNICATION TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
1] General communication which is 1] Technical communication is mostly
mostly oral. formal and required technical message

2] In general communication even 2] In technical communication technical

illiterate person can understand. terms are employed and literate person
and understand.
3] General communication is personal 3] Technical communication is impersonal
and subjective. and objective.

4] General communication is done for 4] Technical communication is done for

all. specific people.
5] Not always for a special audience 5] Specific audience
6] General content 6] Technical content
 GENERAL COMMUNICATION TECHNICAL
COMMUNICATION
7] Its contains a general message. 7] Its contains a technical message.

8] It is not always for a specific 8] It is always for a specific audience.

audience.

9] It does not involves the use of 9] It frequently involves jargons and

technical vocabulary or graphics etc. graphics etc.

10] General communication is informal 10] Technical communication is not

in style approach. informal in style approach.

11] May not be factual 11] Always factual

12] Not always structured 12] Logically organised and stuctured

13] May or may not graphics 13] Usually involves graphics

14] General vocabulary 14] Special vocabulary