INTRODUCTION TO

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
SARAH NYARKO
 DEFINITION OF COMMUNICATION
• DEFINITION BY HYBELS & WEAVER (2001)
Communication is a process of sharing ideas, information, and feelings that involves
speech, writing, behavior and body language.
In short, whatever reaction that offers meaning to a message becomes communication.
• ACCORDING TO TRENHOLM (2001)
Communication conception is viewed from three perspectives, i.e. In terms of
psychology, social context and pragmatics.
Communication is defined as a combination of concepts to look at how people use
symbols (in the form of words) to form uniformity in meaning to be shared with
others.
 THREE PERSPECTIVES
• From the psychological perspective, the meaning of communication is focused on
what happens in the mind at the time a message is transmitted and received.

• On the other hand, the social context perspective looks at communication as a

process whereby people use a medium of communication to form a collective
picture of reality. This perspective focuses on the relationship between
communication and a shared culture.

• However, pragmatics looks at communication as an inter-related system and

involves an action which would consequently form certain patterns. According to
this perspective, people have their own communication styles.
• The objective of the person who communicating or interacting with
another person therefore is to create a “uniformity” with that person.

• When communicating, we try to share thoughts, beliefs, and social

values with other people with the objective of finding a “uniformity”
between the communicators.

• Achieving a “uniformity” in interaction is very important because

without it, there will be a communication breakdown.
 FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION
• INFORMING FUNCTION: Today, information can be easily obtained from the internet whose objective is to
inform. News published and broadcasted in the newspaper, radio and television are aimed to inform the public
about current affairs.

• This function aims to inform other people about certain things that the communicator feels must be known by
others. The function of informing focuses on the communicator or the information source. Message delivery aims
at informing. Indeed, information is something which is very essential in providing us with knowledge.

• EDUCATING FUNCTION: Communication also plays a role in delivering educational materials.

Education/learning takes place since childhood until a person becomes an adult. An educator becomes the
principal actor in contributing knowledge by interacting with teachers or students.

• In this context, the aim of communication is to transfer knowledge to the receiver. The educating function shows
the importance of the source and the receiver of information to ensure the functions can be performed efficiently.
• Persuading functions: The persuasion function aims at changing the attitude and behavior of a
person. However, it does not mean that by using communication we can easily persuade anyone
to do what we want them to do.

• There are many examples of persuasion that can be seen in advertisements and video clips
broadcasted in the media.

• Entertaining function: The communication function of entertaining is the most widespread in

daily life. Cinema, television and radio programmes, comedy, dramas, sketches, comics and
cartoons are all examples of how communication is used to entertain.

• Since the public love entertainment programs and this is why this function of communication is
very popular and needed by them. Entertainment magazines many fans. Local and imported
comedy drama programs have attracted millions of viewers.
• Socialisation of the society: this communication function involves the ability to guide the

members of the society to use method or behavior suitable with socialized life. Here too we can

see the overlapping of the learning or educational functions that have been discussed above.

• In the process of socialisation, members of the society learn and practise aspects such as social

skill, beliefs and norms.

• For example, parents teach their children to respect their elders. This communication function

aims to promote suitable behaviors among members of the society. Through it the individual

establishes relationship with friends, small groups, family members, colleagues as well as other

members of other communities.

 THE ASPECTS OF SYNTAX, SEMANTIC AND PRAGMATIC IN
LANGUAGE (VERBAL COMMUNICATION)
• The significance of language in communication is that language is created to
clarify concepts that are complex and abstract to be understood.

• Language is also used to deceive or influence a person.

• In recognising the importance of language, the language used should be
understood in order to facilitate communication in personal life.

• Three main aspects that contribute to verbal and non-verbal communication are
the aspects of syntax, semantic, and pragmatic.
 SYNTAX

• Syntax is the study of language that relates to the arrangement or sequence of

words used to interact.
• It refers to the rules or system that must be followed in the use of the language.
Grammar gives meaning to a language.
• For example: grammar: Let us go for a walk.
• However, if the sentence is reversed such as “walk a for go us let”, we certainly
would not understand the message because it is confusing.
 SEMANTICS
• Semantics is the sharing of meaning. Semantic refers to the link between a word and certain
feelings, ideas and context. Meaning can be seen in two forms i.e. Denotative meaning and
connotative meaning.
• (I) Denotative is a word that has concrete meaning and can be seen, found or referred to in a
dictionary. These meanings are those generally accepted.
• (II) Connotative meaning is abstract, and refers to meaning that is quite distinctive. Sometimes
the connotative meaning is disguised or implied against certain emotions, or feelings or
experiences. Therefore, a word that has a connotative aspect often raises problems due to the
presence of elements that involve emotions and feelings.
• This is seen in several examples such as freedom; “eliminate”, “human rights”. Such words are
commonly used in street protests or demonstrations. In addition, the meaning of words that have
connotative aspects also refer to the use of slang by a particular group.
 PRAGMATIC
• Pragmatic refers to how language is used to interact. It overpasses the arrangement
of words (grammar) and the meaning of the words.
• Its focus is on how to use sentences while communicating. The pragmatic aspect
in language is also known as speech acts.
• What is the importance of pragmatic aspect?
• It involves the use of a sentence, word, and language at appropriate places for
certain purposes such as questioning, praising, threatening, etc.
 NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
• A sorrowful voice, a sour face, a cynical smile, mode of dressing, personal adornment, the
manner of sitting or standing, hand signals, and the distance from the other person while
speaking; all these strengthen the message in communication.
• Non-verbal communication through behavior, attributes and objects, other than words, gives
social meaning (Seiler &Beall, 2002).
• 1. Kinesics
• Body movement and what can be seen on the face represent a thousand meanings. The
behaviour shown tells other people various things about a person.
• This includes feelings, emotions and the purpose of the action. (The nodding of the head, lip
movements or a meaningful gaze are capable of influencing a person’s feelings. Eyes are
capable of expressing hatred, enthusiasm, anger, affection, worry or even boredom.
• 2. Physical appearance
• One’s physical characteristics and appearance can shape our first impressions of an individual, for example, the
height, weight, skin colour, body shape, sex, size, eye colour, hair and shape of the face.
• 3. Artefacts (objects)
• Artefacts can show the identity of a person in terms of that person’s gender, style, situation, religion, patriotism,
professionalism, personality, status, and interests.
• Even dressing is related to one’s status and image.
• 7. Proxemics (personal space)
• The use of space plays a role in communication effectiveness. Personal distance and space in non-verbal
communication can be seen from the aspects of friendliness or from personal, social or formal distance; reflecting
the level of the relationship between two or more people.
• 8. Keeping quiet
• Sometimes a person “keeps quiet” or believes that “silence is a thousand languages”. Silent signals are an aspect
of non-verbal communication.
• Keeping quiet sometimes gives more meaning than saying something.
 CONCLUSION

• In sum, every aspect of communication is crucial in building a person’s attitudes,

characteristics and relationship.

• It projects what an individual wants to think of him or her.

• As such remains a non negotiable aspect of the learning process in a language

class.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT