Oral Com

Definition and Process of Communication

Communication is an important human need. It is essential for us to be able to define what communication is and what
makes it so.

● the transmission of ideas and emotions between or among persons with the use of verbal and nonverbal cues
and helps people adapt to or survive in the place they live in

● comes from the Latin word communis, which means “common”

The Process of Communication

stimulus - an idea or concept that the sender has and would like to convey

sender - encodes the message by putting it into words and then expresses the ideas in proper sequence

receiver - accepts and decodes the message; chooses whether to respond

feedback - given by the receiver when responding to the message

noise - causes breakdown in the communication process; any barrier or hindrance that obstructs the understanding of
the message

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Verbal Communication

● the use of words or speech in sending messages and transmitting ideas or feelings and makes use of
language/words.

Nonverbal Communication

● the act of expressing ideas in ways that do not involve or go beyond using words.

● uses body language, appearance, voice, and environment as nonverbal cues

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Proxemics

● how the space or distance between the sender and the receiver affects their communication

● includes intimate distance, personal distance, social distance, and public distance

Kinesics

● the use of body language in communication

● includes gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions

Chronemics

● refers to the role of time in the communication process

Haptics

● the use of touch to convey meaning in a conversation

● often dependent on culture

Paralanguage

● the tone, speed, and volume of a speaker’s voice

● includes sighs and gasps

Elements of Communication

Participants

● the communicators

● can be both senders and receivers

● sender - transmits the information to the receiver

● receiver - decodes the message to formulate a response

Context

refers to the interrelated conditions that affect the message; these include physical, psychological, social, and cultural
factors

Physical context refers to the place, time, environment, and distance between communicators.

Social context refers to the relationship of the communicators.

Psychological context refers to the moods and feelings of the communicators. Think about the times when your mood
or feelings caused you to communicate differently.

Cultural context includes the beliefs and norms of the participants. This comes into play when you are speaking with
someone who is of a different gender, age, social status, religion, or nationality.

Message

● the main point of having communication

● the main idea or information that the sender would like to convey to the receiver

● It is important for the message to be stated clearly and in a way that is understandable to the receiver.
Channel

● the means of delivering the message

● can be a face-to-face conversation, a letter, a phone call, an e-mail, or social media

Feedback

● the response of the receiver

● helps the sender of the message determine whether the message was understood by the receiver

● If the participants of the conversation continue giving feedback, the flow of communication continues.

Models of Communication

● conceptual representation that is used to explain the communication process

● Each model offers a different perspective on the communication process.

Linear communication model

● presents communication as a one-way activity in which information flows from the sender to the receiver

● shows only a passive receiver

● feedback - not a part of the process

Interactive communication model

● shows communication as a two-way activity

● The sender and the receiver have the same role in the activity: either one comes up with an idea, sends a
message, and reacts to it.

● involves feedback

● may also include noise, an element that affects the interpretation of the message

Transactional communication model

● presents communication as a simultaneous activity

● senders and receivers - capable of both sending and receiving messages anytime or at the same time

● feedback - includes nonverbal cues such as gestures, tone of voice, or body language

● takes into account that communicators react to the situation based on their own background

● The diverse perceptions and backgrounds of the communicators influence their response to a particular
communication situation.
Culture

The system of knowledge that is shared by a particular group composed of a relatively large number of individuals.

To engage in intercultural communication, participants should essentially understand the concept of self-awareness.
Self-awareness is essential for better communication with others, especially with those who are different from you.

Gender

In general, men and women differ in terms of their communication style. In men-only conversations, some tend to
dominate the conversation, and they seldom talk about their private lives. On the other hand, in women-only
conversations, they usually allow everyone to participate, and they often talk about their personal relationships.

Age

People of different ages or generations may have difficulty communicating with one another. A person’s age or the
generation to which he or she belongs influences the way he or she communicates with others.

Barriers in Communication

a. Language barriers - These manifest when two individuals do not have a common language, have an unfamiliar accent,
or use unfamiliar words or expressions, jargon, and idioms.

b. Cultural barriers - These are evident when there is difficulty in communication due to differing principles, views, and
beliefs. This is also applicable to those who are insensitive to other people’s heritage.

c. Physical barriers - These are hindrances to better communication caused by environmental factors such as noise,
lighting, and distance between the receiver and speaker.

d. Prejudging - This happens when a person believes he or she understood what the speaker means even before the
message is completely expressed. It can also happen when the receiver immediately judges the message as
unimportant.

e. Information overload – This happens when one gives too much information at a time.
f. Lack of interest and attention - This happens when a person gives information that does not interest others or a
person does not give attention to either the speaker or his or her message.

Strategies to Avoid Communication Breakdown

1. Use time-gaining expressions to have more time to think.

2. Give positive remarks or comments.

3. Be specific.

4. Ask for repetition or clarification.

5. Check your understanding.

6. Do not jump to conclusions

Effective Communication

● more than just the transmission of information from one person to another

● takes place only when the information is shared and mutually understood

● enables you to connect better with others, build and maintain relationships, and express yourself and be fully
understood

Strategies to Avoid Communication Breakdown

1. Be focused.

 Have a specific purpose for speaking or listening.

 If you are the speaker, determine your purpose for speaking and clearly express yourself to achieve it.
 If you are the listener, ascertain the speaker’s purpose through his or her verbal and nonverbal cues

2. Speak intelligibly.

 appropriate speaking volume (or loudness) and rate (or the pace at which you speak)
 good enunciation (or the distinctness of the sound of spoken words)
 proper word stress
 correct or acceptable pronunciation

3. Listen with your ears and eyes. Remember that nonverbal communication is as important as verbal communication.
Pay attention to the speaker’s verbal as well as nonverbal cues.

4. Minimize distractions. Block out any form of interference, or adjust to different forms of distraction.
Regulation or control and social interaction are functions of communication that are used by individuals based on
different situations they are in.

Verbal cues

“That’s it”

“Thank you”

“Yeah”

Nonverbal cues

Eye contact

 When a speaker looks at a listener, the speaker is signaling that he or she is requesting feedback or wants the
listener to take the floor.
 When a listener looks at and slightly up at the speaker, the listener is signaling that he or she wants the floor.
 Eye contact ○ When a speaker looks at a listener, the speaker is signaling that he or she is requesting feedback
or wants the listener to take the floor. ○ When a listener looks at and slightly up at the speaker, the listener is
signaling that he or she wants the floor.

Head-shaking

 indicates that the listener wants the speaker to stop talking

Raising the index finger ○

 signals that the speaker is not finished speaking or that the listener would like to say something

Leaning back

 signals that the speaker is done talking and is now yielding the floor

One of the functions of communication is motivation. Communication may be used for the purpose of motivating
oneself and others in various situations.

Using communication for motivation is important for various reasons, which include the following:

a. It increases productivity.

b. It empowers individuals.
Steps you can do to motivate others:

1. Walk the talk.

2. Actively listen.

3. Make a person feel that he or she makes a difference.

4. Communicate clearly and with compassion.

There are three ways to look into how motivation works:

a. Needs

b. Behavior

c. Rewards

Speech context refers to the situation or environment and the circumstances in which communication occurs.

There are three main types of speech context:

1. intrapersonal speech context

2. interpersonal speech context

3. public communication

Characteristics of Speech Contexts

1. Number of participants

2. Physical proximity of the participants in relation to one another

3. The channel used for the communication

4. The immediacy of the exchange

Categories of Communication

1. Formal communication

- This occurs mostly in a workplace or in an organized environment.

2. Informal communication

- This occurs in non-organized situations. Everyday conversations, chatting, and spontaneous interactions are just some
examples of informal communication.
Public Communication

● single speaker

● sizeable audience

● message: general interest to the audience

● needs planning and preparation

● limited or no opportunities for feedback except for nonverbal messages has a definite time limit

Examples:

● a professor giving a lecture at a conference

● a president delivering an inaugural address

● a candidate delivering a campaign speech

● a student delivering a valedictory speech

Purposes of Public Communication

To inform - professionals, such as doctors and teachers, deliver speeches during conferences and seminars

To persuade - convincing others to buy products, to support a cause or advocacy, or to vote for a particular candidate

To entertain - delivering toasts during a special occasion, comedy speeches, messages during school/company
programs/parties