WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication can be defined as the passing of information or messages from one person to another. Communication is the exchange of information among people or groups of persons.
Communication, according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “is the activity or process of expressing ideas and feelings or of giving people information”. Communication is the intercourse of words, letters, messages, interchange of thoughts or opinion.
Communication is successful if the information has been received, understood, and adequate feedback has been sent.
An infant starts communication with the first crying ( I am alive),then raising eyebrow, smiling and shaking fingers to communicate, even though the gestures are not spoken words.
To communicate effectively therefore, the sender’s words must mean the same with that of the receiver. The word communication is derived from a Latin word (communis) which means “common”.
The purpose of communication is to establish “commonness.”
WHY DO WE COMMUNICATE?
Human beings communicate in order :
1. To convey or pass information or ideas / messages to other persons;
2. To entertain people;
3. To teach people (didactic purposes);
4. To instruct or direct individuals;
5. To convince persons to buy one’s points of view.
THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
The elements of communication are:
a) Sender ( or transmitter) of the message ( i.e the source encoder);
b) Clear message;
c) Appropriate medium or channel;
d) Receiver (decoder);
e) Feed back to confirm receipt or understanding.
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