The Nature and Elements of Communication

Communication is any process in which people, through the use of symbols, verbally and/or nonverbally,
consciously or not consciously, intentionally or unintentionally, generate meanings, (information, ideas, feelings,
and perceptions) within and across various contexts. Cultures, channels, and media (Hybels & Weaver II, 2009).

Elements of Communication

For communication to take place, there must be five (5) factors involved:

 The sender – is the speaker or the communicator who has his/her own purpose, knowledge, interests,
attitudes, skills, and credibility.
 The message – is the idea being transmitted by the sender to the listener. It includes the three (3)
aspects of content, structure, and style.
 The channel – is the medium or vehicle through which the message is sent. It may be verbal or visual.
The latter is often supplemented with the pictorial and aural channels.
 The receiver – is the target of the communication. S/he is the destination of the message.
 Feedback – is the reaction given by the listener to the sender of the message. It is what completes the
communication process.

Tenets of Communication

Lee McGaan’s Four (4) C's of effective communication

 Commitment – all members of the organization must exhibit commitment to the idea that effective
communication is a high priority in their jobs.
 Context – the sender and the receiver, as much as possible, should operate in the same context or at
least understand the similarity and differences of their respective contexts to address any occurrence of
misunderstanding. They should share vital information to perform their jobs and functions more
efficiently.
 Consistency – important processes and procedures as well as themes, goals, and perspectives should be
communicated properly and performed repeatedly to be understood, remembered, and acted upon
judiciously.
 Concern – “Communicators, especially leaders, must be a concern with the receiver’s point- of-view
first”.

Non-Verbal Communication

This is a type of communication that does not make use of words. The message is communicated by the use of
hands, head, feet, and other parts of the human body. It is similar to the sign language employed by the mute to
communicate their thoughts and feelings to people they deal with. Non-verbal communication may take the
form of conventional gestures such as the nodding of the head to show approval or agreement.

Types of Non-Verbal Communication

 Chronemics – the study of the time element in communication.

 Haptics – The study of the touch element in communication
 Oculetics – The study of eye contact in communication.
 Proxemics – the study of proximity between the parties to a communication.
 Kinesics – the study of movements used in communication.
 Objectics – the study of objects or artifacts used in communication.
Intercultural Communication

A form of communication that aims to share information across different cultures and social groups. It is used to
describe the wide range of communication processes and problems that naturally appear within an organization
or social context made up of individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

Types of Communication or Speech Contexts

Intrapersonal

 It is a communication within oneself. It involves thinking, remembering, and feeling.

Interpersonal

 This type of communication refers to face-to-face interactions between persons

 Dyadic – This is communication between two (2) people. It may be face-to-face conversations, dialogs, or
interviews. Telephone conversation is also dyadic.
 Triadic – This communication is between Three (3) people.
 Small Group – More than three (3) people participate in this type of communication.

Five Contexts of Communication

 Psychological context refers to the participants and what each brings to the interaction. Needs desires,
values, personality, and habits – all form of psychological contexts.
 Relational context concerns the relations the interactors have toward each other and how close or
distant that relationship is.
 Situational context deals with the psychosocial “where” the exchange happens.
 Environmental context deals with the physical “where” they are communicating.
 Cultural context includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction.

Kinds of Language Registers

 Casual - This is the informal language used by peers and friends. Past experience with that person. Slang,
vulgarities, and colloquialisms are normal. This is “group” language. One (1) must be a member to
engage in this register.
 Intimate -This communication is private. Language shared between couples, twins, very close friends. It
is reserved for close family members or intimate people.
 Frozen - This style of communications rarely or never changes. It is “frozen” in time and content. It is also
called static register.
 Formal - This language is used in formal settings and is one-way in nature. This use of language usually
follows a commonly accepted format.
 Consultative - This is a standard form of communications. Users engage in a mutually accepted structure
of communications.

Speech Act

In linguistics and the philosophy of language, it is an utterance that has a performative function in language and
communication. It cannot be complete until someone receives and interprets the utterance.

 Locution (utterance) – It is the mere utterance of a string of words with a certain meaning.
 Illocution (intention) – It is the act of speaking with the intention to interact with the receiver.
 Perlocution (response) – It is the act of uttering words with the intention of affecting the behavior or
manner of the receiver. It is also the act of trying to bring about a certain change in the addressee.
Communication Strategies

 Message abandonment – You leave the message unfinished because of language difficulties.
 Topic avoidance – You try not to talk about concepts difficult for you to express.
 Circumlocution – You describe or paraphrase the target object or action.
 Approximation – You use an alternative term (ship) to express the meaning of the target word (sail) as
closely as possible.
 Use of all-purpose words – You expand a general word to the context where certain words are lacking
like the overuse of the words: thing, stuff, make, do, what-do-you-call-it, what-isit.
 Word coinage – You create a new English word based on what you know of the way English works like
“vegetarianist” (which is not in the dictionary) for “vegetarian”.
 Use of non-verbal means – You mime, gesture, use facial expression and imitate sound to express the
meaning you want.
 Literal translation – You translate a word or an idiom from your mother tongue to English using the
structure of your first language.
 Foreignizing – You use the word in your native language but pronounce it like English.
 Code-switching – You use the native word or expression for the English term that expresses the meaning
you want.
 Appeal for help – You ask other students or your teacher for help when you do not know or forget some
words, structures, or idioms.
 Use of fillers/hesitation devices – you use filling words (uhmmm) to gain time to think.

Speech Preparation

1. Know the purpose of the speech and the occasion that calls for your address.
 There should be a fit for the occasion and the content, tone, and mood of your speech.
2. Analyze your perspective audience.
 Expect who will be the audience. You must also recognize the situation of the state where you will
deliver the speech.
3. Choose an appropriate topic or theme.
 Consider the topic you want, the topic you can relate to, and the topic you are interested at.
4. Prepare an outline of what you want to say.
 The outline will prevent you from wandering from one idea to another. It is like an architect’s building
plan which the civil engineer will follow in its construction. Speech Structure
 Opening/Introduction - The first 30 seconds of your speech are probably the most important.
 Body – The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your speech. The best way to set out
the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that you would like to raise.
 Closing/Conclusion – The closing of your speech must contain some of your strongest material. You
should view the closing of your speech as an opportunity.
5. Gather materials for your speech.
 Of course, you have your own reservoir of ideas; but you may want to research on what other prominent
experts have to say about the topic you have chosen.
6. Think and decide on a speech design.
 Your speech must consider the time allotment given to you. You might need to consider the flow of your
speech.
7. Choose the method of delivery you want to use.
8. Write your speech.