CS 1204 Communication Skills Unit 1.
1. Communication and Communication Process
Communication is an essential part of human life. It is through communication that
meanings and understandings are exchanged; facts, ideas, emotions and information are conveyed.
The English word communication is derived from the Latin word ‘Communico’, which means to
share, to make common. Communication refers to the sharing of knowledge or information. The
following definitions would make the meaning of communication more clear:
1. “Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions and emotions by two or more
persons”. – W.H. Newman
2. “Communication is the process by which information is transmitted between individuals
and/or organizations so that an understanding response results”.- Peter Little
3. “Communication is the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More
specially, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached
among human beings”. - Dr. McFarland
The Need of Communication:
1. Communication is useful for the transaction of ideas, facts & feelings.
2. It is instrumental in fulfilling the objectives of an organization.
3. It is essential for the function of management.
Importance of Communication:
1. Communication is the life blood of any business.
2. It promotes understanding and cooperation between the management and employees.
3. It is an effective tool of supervision.
1
, The process of Communication / Elements of Communication /
Communication cycle
The process of communication takes place in a systematic pattern. It involves various elements.
The process of communication can be explained with the help of the following diagram:
The process of Communication / Elements of Communication / Communication cycle
Thought Encoding Message Transmission of message Reception & Decoding
through proper CHANNEL
SENDER RECEIVER
Transmission of
FEEDBACK
From the above diagram, the following elements of communication can be explained:
1. Sender: Sender is the person who begins the communication process. Sender is the person
who intends to convey or transfer ideas, thoughts, information etc. to some other person. It
is his information that is transferred in communication.
2. Encoding: Encoding is converting or putting the thoughts or ideas into the linguistic codes.
Language is a system of signs, symbols. Each word in a language represent some external
phenomenon, it stands for some other object in nature. To encode is to use appropriate
codes, i.e., words from language that may best represent the meaning intended by the
sender and that may be understood by the receiver. A code in the message evokes an image
of the object represented by that sign in the mind of the receiver. The thoughts or ideas of
the sender are converted by him in the form of a message that is transferred.
3. Message: Message is the content of communication. It is the intended encoded outcome
that the sender desires to communicate to the receiver. The information of the sender is
encoded in the form of the message, thus rendering the physical form to his abstract
notions, and then it is transferred using an appropriate channel.
2
, 4. Channel: Channel is the medium of transferring the message. A channel can be oral,
written, verbal or non-verbal. The sender sends his message selecting the most suitable
channel for his purpose. The selection of the channel depends upon the urgency of the
message, the cost of delivery, availability of the medium etc.
5. Receiver: Receiver is the person for whom the message is meant. Communication is a two-
way process. It must have a receiver. The receiver has to decode the message after receiving
in order to mean it. After interpreting and understanding the message, the receiver has to
provide feedback to the sender whether he has understood the message or not.
6. Decoding: Decoding is to analyze or interpret the encoded message in order to make the
meaning of it. It is to decipher or decrypt the encrypted message so that the association
between a sign and an object it represents is clear. The receiver decodes the message after
receiving it. It is after decoding the message that the meaning intended by the sender is
generated in the mind of the receiver.
7. Feedback: Feedback is the final link in the chain of communication. Feedback is the
response given by the receiver to the sender of the message. No communication gets
complete without feedback. The sender makes it sure whether his message is understood
by the receiver or not only after he gets the feedback. Positive feedback ensures the success
of communication while negative feedback implies the need of further communication.
3
1. Communication and Communication Process
Communication is an essential part of human life. It is through communication that
meanings and understandings are exchanged; facts, ideas, emotions and information are conveyed.
The English word communication is derived from the Latin word ‘Communico’, which means to
share, to make common. Communication refers to the sharing of knowledge or information. The
following definitions would make the meaning of communication more clear:
1. “Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions and emotions by two or more
persons”. – W.H. Newman
2. “Communication is the process by which information is transmitted between individuals
and/or organizations so that an understanding response results”.- Peter Little
3. “Communication is the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More
specially, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached
among human beings”. - Dr. McFarland
The Need of Communication:
1. Communication is useful for the transaction of ideas, facts & feelings.
2. It is instrumental in fulfilling the objectives of an organization.
3. It is essential for the function of management.
Importance of Communication:
1. Communication is the life blood of any business.
2. It promotes understanding and cooperation between the management and employees.
3. It is an effective tool of supervision.
1
, The process of Communication / Elements of Communication /
Communication cycle
The process of communication takes place in a systematic pattern. It involves various elements.
The process of communication can be explained with the help of the following diagram:
The process of Communication / Elements of Communication / Communication cycle
Thought Encoding Message Transmission of message Reception & Decoding
through proper CHANNEL
SENDER RECEIVER
Transmission of
FEEDBACK
From the above diagram, the following elements of communication can be explained:
1. Sender: Sender is the person who begins the communication process. Sender is the person
who intends to convey or transfer ideas, thoughts, information etc. to some other person. It
is his information that is transferred in communication.
2. Encoding: Encoding is converting or putting the thoughts or ideas into the linguistic codes.
Language is a system of signs, symbols. Each word in a language represent some external
phenomenon, it stands for some other object in nature. To encode is to use appropriate
codes, i.e., words from language that may best represent the meaning intended by the
sender and that may be understood by the receiver. A code in the message evokes an image
of the object represented by that sign in the mind of the receiver. The thoughts or ideas of
the sender are converted by him in the form of a message that is transferred.
3. Message: Message is the content of communication. It is the intended encoded outcome
that the sender desires to communicate to the receiver. The information of the sender is
encoded in the form of the message, thus rendering the physical form to his abstract
notions, and then it is transferred using an appropriate channel.
2
, 4. Channel: Channel is the medium of transferring the message. A channel can be oral,
written, verbal or non-verbal. The sender sends his message selecting the most suitable
channel for his purpose. The selection of the channel depends upon the urgency of the
message, the cost of delivery, availability of the medium etc.
5. Receiver: Receiver is the person for whom the message is meant. Communication is a two-
way process. It must have a receiver. The receiver has to decode the message after receiving
in order to mean it. After interpreting and understanding the message, the receiver has to
provide feedback to the sender whether he has understood the message or not.
6. Decoding: Decoding is to analyze or interpret the encoded message in order to make the
meaning of it. It is to decipher or decrypt the encrypted message so that the association
between a sign and an object it represents is clear. The receiver decodes the message after
receiving it. It is after decoding the message that the meaning intended by the sender is
generated in the mind of the receiver.
7. Feedback: Feedback is the final link in the chain of communication. Feedback is the
response given by the receiver to the sender of the message. No communication gets
complete without feedback. The sender makes it sure whether his message is understood
by the receiver or not only after he gets the feedback. Positive feedback ensures the success
of communication while negative feedback implies the need of further communication.
3
