ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

Lesson 1

Nature, Elements, Process, and Functions of Communication

In this lesson, you will be able to:

 identify the nature of communication;
 determine the elements of communication;
 explain the process of communication;
 discuss the functions of communication

Can you imagine yourself in a world without communication? You would not be able to get your ideas across and you
would not be able to take in ideas from others. Possessing effective communication skills can really improve one’s life as
it would allow others and yourself to understand information accurately and quickly. In contrast, having poor
communication skills would lead you to frequent misunderstandings and frustrations. Therefore, it is very important to
have clear understanding of its nature, the process, and its functions as it helps achieve successful communication.

According to Weber (2008) as cited by Dapat, et.al. (2016), 70% of the person’s waking time is spent
communicating in different manners like talking, listening, reading, and writing.

Definition of Communication
derived from the Latin word, 'Communicare' which means to impart or participate or to transmit. The
word 'Communicare' is derived from the root 'Communis' which means to make common or to share.
 It is derived from Latin word communis means common/sharing.
 It is the process of sharing ideas, information, and messages with others in a particular time and place.
 It is the connection between two or more people to exchanging their knowledge or ideas.
 It is the transmission or exchange process of data or information.
Communication is the act of transferring information from one person to another person or a group.
Communication involves at least one sender, a message, and a receiver; but communication is more
than just a transmission of information. It requires success in transmitting or sending a message.

According to Mc Cornack (2014) as cited by Sipacio and Balgos (2016), communication is a process of sharing
and conveying messages or information from one person to another within and across channel, context, media, and
cultures. There is a wide variety of contexts and situations in which communication can be manifested. It can be face to
face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a letter correspondence, a class
recitation, and many others.

why communication is important?

Communication is important for a wide range of reasons across personal, social, professional, and societal contexts.
Here are some key reasons why communication is essential:

1. Exchange of Information: Communication is the primary means by which information is shared among
individuals and groups. It allows us to convey facts, ideas, knowledge, and experiences.
2. Building Relationships: Effective communication is fundamental to forming and maintaining relationships.
It helps people connect emotionally, understand each other, and build trust.
3. Conflict Resolution: Communication is crucial for addressing and resolving conflicts. It provides a platform
for parties to express their concerns, negotiate solutions, and reach compromises.
4. Expressing Emotions: Communication enables individuals to express their feelings, needs, and desires.
Sharing emotions is essential for emotional well-being and building empathetic connections.
5. Decision-Making: Whether in personal life, organizations, or governments, communication is vital for
decision-making. It allows for the discussion of options, weighing of pros and cons, and reaching informed
choices.
6. Education: Communication is the foundation of education. It enables teachers to convey knowledge and
students to ask questions and seek clarification, facilitating the learning process.
7. Personal Development: Effective communication contributes to personal growth. It helps individuals build
self-awareness, self-esteem, and communication skills that are valuable in various aspects of life.
8. Professional Success: Strong communication skills are highly prized in the workplace. They are essential for
teamwork, leadership, negotiation, and conveying ideas and instructions clearly.
9. Innovation and Creativity: Collaboration and communication foster innovation and creativity. When
diverse perspectives and ideas are shared, new solutions and inventions can emerge.
10. Cultural Understanding: Communication allows for the exchange of cultural knowledge and promotes
understanding between people from different backgrounds. It helps bridge cultural gaps and reduce
misunderstandings.
11. Community and Social Cohesion: In communities and societies, communication plays a pivotal role in
promoting shared values, norms, and a sense of belonging. It helps maintain social cohesion.
12. Problem-Solving: Effective communication is essential for identifying and solving problems, whether they
are personal, societal, or global in nature.
13. Advocacy and Activism: Communication is a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. It enables
individuals and groups to raise awareness, mobilize support, and effect positive transformations.
14. Democracy and Governance: In democratic societies, communication is fundamental for citizen
engagement, participation in political processes, and holding leaders accountable.
15. Safety and Emergency Response: Communication is crucial in emergencies and disaster situations. It
enables timely warnings, coordination of resources, and the dissemination of critical information.
16. Global Connectivity: In an increasingly interconnected world, communication facilitates global connectivity.
It allows people from different parts of the world to share ideas, trade, and collaborate on global challenges.

In summary, communication is the cornerstone of human society and progress. It is an essential tool for sharing
information, building relationships, resolving conflicts, fostering personal and professional growth, and addressing
complex issues in our interconnected world. Without effective communication, many aspects of our lives and
societies would be severely hindered.

People without communication would face numerous challenges and significant consequences in their personal lives.
Communication is essential for various aspects of human interaction, self-expression, and daily functioning. Here are
some of the key effects on individuals without communication:

Isolation: Without communication, individuals would be cut off from social interaction, leading to profound isolation
and loneliness. Humans are social beings, and the absence of communication can have severe emotional and
psychological impacts.
Limited Relationships: Building and maintaining relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners would be
extremely difficult without communication. Close bonds and emotional connections would suffer.

Emotional Distress: Inability to express emotions and thoughts can lead to emotional distress, as individuals would
struggle to share their feelings, seek support, or resolve conflicts.

Intellectual Stagnation: Communication is crucial for learning, sharing knowledge, and intellectual growth. Without it,
individuals would have limited access to information, education, and opportunities for personal development.

Limited Employment Opportunities: Many jobs require effective communication skills. Without these skills, individuals
might find it challenging to secure employment, advance in their careers, or engage in meaningful work.

Healthcare Challenges: Communicating with healthcare providers is essential for receiving proper medical care. Without
it, individuals might not be able to accurately convey their health concerns or understand medical advice.

Ineffective Problem-Solving: Communication is vital for resolving issues and conflicts. Without it, individuals would
struggle to find mutually beneficial solutions to problems they encounter in their personal and professional lives.

Reduced Empathy: Communication helps build empathy and understanding among people. The absence of
communication could lead to a lack of empathy and a diminished ability to relate to others' experiences.

Emotional Suppression: Individuals may suppress their emotions and thoughts, leading to emotional and psychological
strain. This can manifest as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Limited Self-Expression: Without communication, individuals would find it challenging to express their creativity,
opinions, and individuality. Freedom of expression would be severely curtailed.

Cultural Disconnect: Communication plays a crucial role in the transmission and preservation of cultural traditions,
languages, and practices. The absence of communication could lead to a loss of cultural identity.

Conflict Escalation: Conflicts within families, communities, or workplaces would be more likely to escalate without
effective communication to address and resolve issues.

Reduced Quality of Life: Overall, a lack of communication would result in a reduced quality of life for individuals,
limiting their personal and social fulfillment.

Without communication, both on an individual and societal level, a range of significant consequences
and challenges can arise:

1. Misunderstanding: Lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings and

misinterpretations of intentions, resulting in confusion and conflict between individuals or
groups.
2. Isolation: People may feel isolated and disconnected when they cannot communicate with
others. This can lead to loneliness and emotional distress.
3. Inefficiency: In organizations and communities, effective communication is crucial for
coordinating activities, making decisions, and achieving goals. Without it, efficiency can suffer.
4. Conflict: Communication is often necessary for resolving conflicts and disagreements. In its
absence, conflicts may escalate and become more difficult to manage.
5. Loss of Opportunities: Failure to communicate can result in missed opportunities for
personal, professional, and social growth.
 6. Stagnation: Without communication, societies and cultures cannot evolve and progress. New
ideas, innovations, and knowledge depend on the sharing of information.
7. Breakdown of Relationships: Communication is the foundation of healthy relationships.
Without it, relationships can deteriorate, leading to estrangement and separation.
8. Safety Risks: In critical situations, effective communication is essential for ensuring safety.
Without it, emergency responses may be delayed or ineffective.
9. Education Impairment: Education heavily relies on communication between teachers and
students. Without it, learning becomes difficult, and academic progress may suffer.
10. Economic Impact: Businesses and economies depend on communication for transactions,
customer relations, and collaboration. Poor communication can lead to financial losses.
11. Mental Health Issues: Lack of communication can contribute to stress, anxiety, and
depression, as individuals may struggle to express their emotions and seek support.
12. Social Fragmentation: In society, communication is essential for promoting shared values,
understanding diversity, and building social cohesion. Without it, divisions and polarization
may occur.
13. Information Gaps: Critical information, such as news, health advisories, and warnings, relies
on effective communication channels. Without them, people may remain unaware of important
developments.
14. Cultural Erosion: Cultures are transmitted through communication. Without it, cultural
traditions and practices may decline or disappear.
15. Political Instability: Effective communication is essential for democratic processes and
governance. Without it, political instability and distrust in institutions can arise.
16. Human Rights Violations: Communication is linked to the ability to express and advocate for
human rights. Restrictions on communication can lead to violations of freedom of speech and
expression.

In summary, communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction and societal functioning.

Its absence can lead to a range of negative consequences, affecting relationships, individual well-
being, economic prosperity, and the overall fabric of society.

Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a process.
It's a dynamic and complex exchange of information and meaning between individuals or entities. This process
typically involves several key elements and stages
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
Effective communication relies on both the sender and the receiver(s) working together to ensure that
the message is accurately transmitted and understood. This often involves considering factors such as
clarity, empathy, active listening, and adapting communication to the needs and preferences of the
audience. Communication is a dynamic process that involves not only the transmission of messages but
also the mutual understanding and exchange of meaning between all parties involved.
3. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both spoken words
and nonverbal actions at the same time.
modes of communication:

1. Verbal Communication (Spoken Words):

 This form of communication involves using spoken language to convey messages.
 It includes conversations, speeches, lectures, presentations, interviews, and phone calls.
 Verbal communication relies on the spoken word, tone of voice, and vocal inflections to convey
meaning.
 2. Written Communication (Written Words):
 Written communication involves conveying messages through written text.
 It includes letters, emails, reports, memos, articles, books, and text messages.
 Written communication relies on written words, sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation to
convey meaning.
3. Nonverbal Communication (Actions and Body Language):
 Nonverbal communication encompasses all forms of communication that do not involve spoken or
written words.
 It includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, and physical touch.
 Nonverbal cues can convey emotions, attitudes, and information in addition to, or independently of,
verbal or written messages.
4. Mixed or Multimodal Communication (Combining Verbal and Nonverbal):
 Many forms of communication involve a combination of verbal and nonverbal elements.
 For example, during a face-to-face conversation, individuals use both spoken words and nonverbal
cues like gestures and facial expressions to enhance and clarify their message.
 In presentations, speakers often use both verbal explanations and visual aids (slides, charts, graphs)
to convey information.

Effective communication often relies on the alignment of verbal and nonverbal cues to ensure that the intended
message is conveyed accurately. Nonverbal cues can enhance or emphasize verbal messages, and they can also
provide important context and emotional context to communication. Understanding and using both verbal and
nonverbal communication effectively is crucial for clear and meaningful interactions.

Elements of Communication
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message - the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions.
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words actions, or other forms that the speaker
understands.
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal, or nonverbal, in which the
encoded message is conveyed.
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver.
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message.
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver.
8. Context – the environment where communication takes place.
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication.

Process of Communication
The two common elements in every communication exchange are the sender and the receiver.
 The sender initiates the communication. He or she is a person who has a need or desire to convey an idea or
concept to others. On the other hand, the receiver is the individual to whom the message is sent.
 The sender encodes or formulates the idea by selecting words, symbols, or gestures with which to compose a
message.
 The message is the outcome of the encoding or formulating, which takes the form of verbal, nonverbal, or
written language. The message is sent through a medium or channel, which is the carrier of the
communication.
 The medium can be a face-to-face conversation, telephone call, e-mail, or written report. The receiver decodes,
interprets, or understands the received message into meaningful information.
 Noise is anything that distorts the message. Different perceptions of the message, language barriers,
interruptions, emotions, and attitudes are examples of noise.
 Finally, feedback occurs when the receiver responds to the sender's message and returns the message to the
sender. It allows the sender to determine whether the message has been received and understood.

Functions of communication
1. Regulation / Control – Communication functions to control behavior. It can be used to regulate the nature and
number of activities people engage in.
“Take your medicine before you go to bed.”
“Finish your work before you go.”
2. Social Interaction – Communication allows people to interact with others to develop bonds or intimacy. It also
allows individuals to express desires, encouragement, needs, and decision or to give and get information.
“Would you like to go to church with me?”
“Come on! You can do it!”
3. Motivation – Communication persuades or encourages another person to change his/her opinion, attitude, and
behavior.
“You’re on the right track. Keep up the good work.”
“My dream is to finish my Senior High School despite this pandemic”.
4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings such as love, fear, anger,
joy, hope, or any other emotion.
“I’m so happy to have you in my life.”
“I like you so much.”
5. Information – Communication functions to convey information. It can be used in giving and getting information.
“The Philippine Normal University was founded in 1901.”
“You can find the bathroom right next to this door.”