Barriers to Communication

Introduction 

Keyton 2011 described communication as the process of transmitting information and common

understanding from one person to another. The word communication derives from the Latin word, 'communis',

which means common. The definition underscores the fact that there is no communication unless a common

understanding results from the exchange of information. Keyton, 2011 suggested that "Communication is a

message understood". Unless a message is understood, we cannot say that communication has taken place. A

myriad of problems can pop up at different stages of the communication process and retard effective

communication. These can relate to any of the elements involved; the sender, message, channel, receiver,

feedback, and context. Therefore, it is essential to understand some of the factors that affect communication to

get your message across with minimal misunderstanding and confusion.

As mentioned earlier, effective communication is a two-way process. Several factors may disrupt this

process and affect the overall interpretation and understanding of what was communicated. In this article, I

discuss three barriers to effective communication and suggest ways to improve communication effectiveness in

these areas. 

Keywords - Barriers, Effective Communication

Semantic Barriers 

According to Lewis, 1980, The word 'semantics' comes from the Greek word,

'semantikos,' which means 'significant'. Semantics' in the context of communication refers to the meanings of

words. Semantic barriers refer to the obstacles caused in communication due to problems with the interpretation

of word meanings. Lewis 1980, also suggested that barriers may also arise due to language, education, culture,

and place of origin (dialect or accent) or, most likely, their experiences. Body language and gestures may also

be problematic; Taylor 2000 suggested that when you speak and your body language (kinesics) is different, the

listener can get offended.

 Therefore, it is vital to use appropriate words, vocabulary, and language, and all kinds of communication

should reflect decency. Language and vocabulary that is used in communication must be according to the level

of understanding of the receiver. Eisenberg, 2010 suggested that the words we choose, how we use them, and

the meaning we attach to them cause many communication barriers. The same word may mean different things

to different people. E.g., To "burn" a CD means to copy or write information onto a compact disc. A layman

may interpret it as literally burning it with the use of fire. 

People may interpret the contexts differently based on different social, economic, cultural, and

educational backgrounds. The result is miscommunication. We should, therefore, use words that are familiar to

the receiver and avoid unfamiliar jargon. If one feels that a word being used is likely foreign to the receiver,

make it's meaning clear the first time using it. Whenever possible, we should choose words with positive rather

than negative connotations. We should also be aware of and in control of body language to ensure that it is

consistent with the message. When semantic barriers are less in any communication, the communication is

effective, and desired results can be obtained.

Physical barriers 
Physical barriers are caused by physical realities such as time, space, place, all of which can interfere

with effective communication (Kreitner&Kninicki, 2004). 

Time 

This is the barrier that is concerned with developing quicker and speedy channels of communication. When

communication is highly time-consuming, it proves to be a barrier, e.g., email. (Kreitner&Kninicki, 2004). 

Consequently, individuals should develop a faster means of communication, such as electronic mail, instead of

sending letters by post.

Space 

Space, usually refers to the distance maintained between sender and receiver. Experts classify an oral

communication situation based on the distance maintained between sender and receiver as Intimate, Personal,

Official, and public.                                                         

Intimate: If the distance between the two, the encoder (sender) and decoder (receiver) is less than a foot and a

half (18 inches), the situation is labeled intimate. The mother cuddling the baby, the father, and the son, or

husband and wife in a familial/private situation, communicate at an intimate space level.                                     

 Personal: Friends and peer groups in communication maintain a distance of about two to three feet, which is

personal.                                                                                  

Official: In an official situation, space should be at least four to five feet, depending on the message or

information.                                                                                                           

Public: The distance between the speaker (the encoder) and the listeners (the decoder, in this context, an

audience) should be over ten feet in a public situation.

Consequently, a reduction of appropriate space parameters will lead to awkward and embarrassing situations.

Generally, Americans and Europeans do not want a violation of their personal space. They refer to their

personal body space as the 'body-bubble', which they do not want to be violated by unwanted intrusions. Asians

and people from the Middle East do not attribute importance to space. Space can act as a barrier in a cross

cultural or trans-national oral communication situation (Eisenberg, E. M. 2010).

On the contrary, an increase in space parameters can also be problematic in the communication process if the

sender and the receiver are too far away. If there is too much space between staff members in an organization,

communication may prove complicated and inefficient. Proper maintenance of distance will help overcome this

barrier. It will remove miscommunication and prevent distortion of a message or information (Eisenberg, E. M.

2010).

Place 

Noise pollution can be a barrier to effective communication; this is obvious; noise makes a person unable to

communicate efficiently. Taylor 2000 suggested that the area or environment that the communication to takes

place should be clear, well ventilated, and not over-crowded.

Cultural Barriers 
 Communication also occurs between people belonging to different nationalities, religions, castes, creeds,

races, ethnicities, etc. in other words, when two persons are communicating with each other, there may be

differences in their cultural backgrounds.

Taylor 2000 defined culture as a shared system of beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and behavior norms.

Members of culture have similar beliefs and theories on how people should behave, think, and communicate,

and they all tend to act on those beliefs in much the same way. Taylor 2000 also suggested that cultures differ

extensively from group to group. When you communicate with someone from a different culture, you do so

using your own culture's theories and beliefs. However, when your audience receives your message, they do so

based on their own culture's assumptions. As a result of fundamental cultural differences, misunderstandings

could quickly occur and often do.

Following that, your aim should be to treat people, not in the way you wish to be treated, but rather treat

them the way they want to be treated. If you are to communicate effectively across cultures, you must not judge

other people by your standards. It is essential to retain an open mind and remember that our cultural background

is not necessarily superior to anyone else's (Taylor 2000).

To this end, it can be stated that barriers do come up within the course of communication. To effectively

communicate, individuals should possess efficient speaking and listening skills; they should make sure that they

understand their viewpoints and concepts. They should use simple language, whether oral or written, be mindful

of their body language, and be courteous and polite to avoid misinterpretations. 

References

Taylor, S. (2000). Essential communication skills: The ultimate guide to successful

business communication. Boston: Pearson Educational.

Eisenberg, E. M. (2010). Organizational communication: Balancing creativity and constraint. New York, NY:

Saint Martin's.
Keyton, J. (2010). Case studies for organizational communication: Understanding communication processes.

New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Keyton 2000