WHAT ARE THE

BARRIERS TO
COMMUNICATION?
 TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR, YOU SHOULD RECOGNIZE THESE
BARRIERS THAT HINDER THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS.
 Regardless of the type of communication: verbal, nonverbal, written, listening or
visual, if we don't communicate effectively, we put ourselves and others at risk.
 Barriers to communication
Some people may find it difficult to express their emotions
and some topics may be completely 'off-limits' or taboo.
Taboo or difficult topics may include, but are not limited to,
Emotional barriers politics, religion, disabilities (mental and physical),
sexuality, racism and any opinion that may be seen as
unpopular.
E.g. You are having a bad day or you feel frustrated, what is your
solution?
Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms. Jargon
refers to the set of specialized vocabulary in a certain field.
To avoid communication breakdown due to lack of clarity,
Use of jargon adjust your language; use layman’s term or simple words.
E.g. You are a scientist discussing a certain phenomenon
with your neighbor who does not know much about the
topic.
 Barriers to communication

Lack of confidence  Develop self-confidence by joining organizations where you

can share and develop your interest.
 Look for opportunities in your school or community that will
help you find your strengths and improve your abilities.
 E.g. You are asked to share something about your day but
you are hesitant because you are shy.

Noisy environment • Make some adjustments by asking someone to minimize the

volume or by looking for a quiet area where you can assume
the conversation.
• E.g You are having a conversation with some friends when a
song played loudly.
 Types
of
Communication
 Intercultural
Communication
It happens when individual interact, negotiate and create
meanings while bringing in their varied cultural backgrouds.
(Ting-Tooney, 1999)
Intercultural communication pertains to communication from
different nationalities.
The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
It offers a structure that explores how people experience cultural differences. According to Bennett and
Bennett (2004). It has six stages.
• Stage 1: DENIAL. The individual does not recognize cultural differences.
• An individual in the DENIAL stage might be heard saying:
• “All cities are the same; They all have tall buildings, fast foods chains, and coffee shops.”

• STAGE 2: DEFENSE. The individual starts to recognize cultural differences and

intimidated by them, resulting in either a superior view on own culture or an
unjustified high regard for the new one.
• An individual in the DEFENSE stage might be heard saying:
• “This culture does not view life the way we do; our culture is certainly better.”
• “Their ways are better than my own; I wish I were one of them.”

• STAGE 3: MINIMIZATION. Although individuals see cultural differences they

bank more on the universality of ideas rather than on cultural differences.
• An individual in the MINIMIZATION stage might be heard saying:
• “Once we see through the cultural differences, we really are just the same!”
The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
It offers a structure that explores how people experience cultural differences. According to Bennett and
Bennett (2004). It has six stages.
• Stage 4: ACCEPTANCE. The individual begins to appreciate important cultural
differences in behaviors and eventually in values.
• An individual in the ACCEPTANCE stage might be heard saying:
• “These people and I have different values and experiences and I think we can learn from one another.”

• STAGE 5: ADAPTATION. The individual is very open to world views when

accepting new perspectives.
• An individual in the ADAPTATION stage might be heard saying:
• “To address an issue, I have to adjust my approach to consider both my own and my counterpart’s
background.”

• STAGE 6: INTEGRATION. Individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and

see themselves and their actions based on multifarious cultural viewpoints.
• An individual in the INTEGRATION stage might be heard saying:
• “I can look at things from the perspective of various culture.”
Characteristics of Competent Intercultural Communicators
• Flexibility and the ability to tolerate high levels of
uncertainty.
• Reflectiveness or mindfulness
• Open-mindedness
• Sensitivity
• Adaptability
• Ability to engage in divergent thinking (or thinking
creatively) and system-level thinking (or thinking how
each one in system or organization influences each other.
• Politeness
Types of Speech Contexts and
Styles
Types of Speech Contexts
• INTRAPERSONAL
• This refers to communication that centers in one person where the
speaker acts both as the sender and the receiver of the message. “The
message is made up of your thought and feelings. The channel is your
brain, which processes what you are thinking and feeling. There is
feedback in the sense that as you talk to yourself, you discard certain
ideas and replace them with others’ (Hybels & Weaver, 2012,p.16)
• Example:
• You spent the night thinking and analyzing why a student from the other class talked to you on
the way home and you decided if probably meant nothing.
• You felt happy while thinking about how your teacher appreciated you for submitting your project
before the due date and you reflected on why this was so.
Types of Speech Contexts
• INTERPERSONAL
• This refers to communication between and among people establish personal relationship
between and among them. Solomon and Theiss (2013) state that “the inter of the words
highlights how interpersonal communication connects people.. When engage in the
interpersonal communication, you and another person become linked together… the
personal part means unique qualities as a person matter during interpersonal
communication…”
• Types of Interpersonal Contexts
• Dyad Communication. Communication that occurs between two people.
• Small Group. This refers to communication that involves at least three but not more than ten
people engaging in a face-to-face interaction working to achieve a desired goal.
• Public. This refers to communication that requires you to deliver or send the message before
or in front of a group. The message can be driven by informational or persuasive purposes.
• Mass Communication. This refers to communication that takes place through television,
radio, newspaper, magazines, books, billboards, internet, and other types of media.
Types of Speech Styles

• INTIMATE. This style is private, which occurs between or

among close family members or intimate individuals.
• The language used in this style may not be shared in
public.
• CASUAL. This style is common among peers and friends.
Jargon, slang, street language, gay language or vulgar words
are used.
• CONSULTATIVE. This style is the standard one. Professional
or mutually acceptable language is a must in this style.
Types of Speech Styles

• FORMAL. This style used in formal settings.

Unlike the consultative style, this is one-way.
• FROZEN. This style is “frozen” in time and remains
unchanged. It mostly occurs in ceremonies.
 TYPES OF SPEECH
ACTS.
 IS AN UTTERANCE THAT A SPEAKER MAKES TO ACHIEVE AN INTENDED EFFECT.
 SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS WHICH ARE CARRIED OUT USING SPEECH ACTS ARE
OFFERING AN APOLOGY, GREETING, REQUEST, COMPLAINT, INVITATION,
COMPLIMENT, OR REFUSAL.
THREE Types of Speech Styles

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