SEM 1 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Chapter No 5. BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION:Communication is one of our basic needs. We require to communicate with
many people for personal and professional purpose. But while communicating we may face
many hurdles or problems. Sometimes the message is not passed properly or gets lost. There are
chances of misunderstanding between the sender or the receiver. Sometimes language used in
the communication is not understood properly. This results into Communication breakdown or
communication failure. There are many reasons behind the problems in the communication
process. Let’s study the Communication Barriers in detail.
Definition of the Barrier to Communication: ‘Any obstacle or problem in the process of
Communication which hinders/obstructs the process of Communication is called Barrier.’
Barriers are part of process of Communication. Whenever we are communicating we encode and
decode. We use various channels for passing messages. At any level or at any moment or stage
there can be problems in communication process. Sometimes the sender may not use proper
language that the receiver will understand. Receiver may not be able to Decode properly. There
can be lot of noise in the surrounding which can disturb us. It rarely happens that barriers do not
arise in the communication process. Many times barriers arise in the minds of the sender and
receiver. The intended messages are not sent to the receivers .
Types of Barriers: We face many barriers while communicating. These barriers can create
obstacles in the communication process. These barriers are classified into the following types.
1.Physical or Environme ntal Barriers : The Barriers in the surrounding or in the environment
are the physical barriers.
2.Language/Semantic or Linguistic Barriers : Barriers arising due to the different language or
differences in language can create problems in communication. Semantic Barriers means the
problems arising because of the different meanings of the words.
3.Psychological Barriers: Barriers or problems arising due to the stress or psychological
problems are psychological barriers. It is difficult to accept and overcome these barriers.
4.Socio-Cultural Barriers : Due to differences in social status or cultural barriers many times
we face differences in communication. These are socio-cultural barriers.
Question:What is the meaning of Physical Barrier/Environme ntal Barriers ?Give examples
of Physical Barriers.
1.Physical Barriers : Many barriers arise in the surroundings or our environment. These barriers
create problems or confusion in communication.
• Noise: Traffic Noise or noise of machines in factory create disturbances in
communication. Noise pollution is biggest contributor or environment pollution in India.
Mrs.Pranita Kamath SKM’S J.M.PATEL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
, SEM 1 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
• Time and Distance :Physical distances between people can create major problems in
communication. Time zones around the world are not same. Due to differences in timings
between countries we have to adjust with the time difference of that country.
• Defects in Communication Systems: Many times the instruments or machines used in
communication such as Telephones, Fax or Computer can develop problems. The network of
Internet can fail or the Mike or Microphone used in the programmes can create loud noise.
Due to excess rains or natural calamity it becomes difficult to use the instruments properly.
The failure of Electronic power also results into communication loss or messages are not sent
properly.
• Wrong Selection of Medium : Medium means the objects used in communication eg.
Emails,Mobile Phones or Telephones etc. The correct medium is necessary. The improper use
of some machines such as Emails can delay the messages.
• High Temperature and Humidity: Excess Temperature or heat or cold Temperature create
difficulties in communication
Many times human physical defects such as stammering ,bad hearing, failure of
communication channels and bad handwriting also create misunderstanding in learning the
message.
Q.What is the meaning of Language or Semantic Barrier?
2.Language Barriers: Barriers arising due to differences in languages, words meaning or
pronunciation can create confusion among the people. Linguistic means related to the
language. Semantic means the meaning of the words.Following are some of the examples of
language barriers.
• Different Languages or lack of Common Language can create obstacles in
Communication. A person who does not understand the native language or even foreign
language cannot communicate well. This becomes very difficult situation.
• Multiplicity of words: words can have different meanings. Word power is gift to human
beings but at the same times multiple meaning or spellings of the words can create the
problems in communication.
• Words with similar pronunciation but different meaning [Homophones]also create
problems in communication. E.g. Except-accept, fair- fare, council-counsel,principal-
principle[etc].
• Jargon words[Technical words]used by professionals such as Engineers/Doctors or any
other professionals. Many times, jargon words are used unintentionally. But common
people or those who do not understand the meaning of these words face problems.
• By-passed Instructions: Means many times short cuts are used while passing the
messages. Eg. A Manager ordered the newly appointed secretary to go and burn the
C.D.She literally burned it . He meant to copy the C.D.
Mrs.Pranita Kamath SKM’S J.M.PATEL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
Chapter No 5. BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION:Communication is one of our basic needs. We require to communicate with
many people for personal and professional purpose. But while communicating we may face
many hurdles or problems. Sometimes the message is not passed properly or gets lost. There are
chances of misunderstanding between the sender or the receiver. Sometimes language used in
the communication is not understood properly. This results into Communication breakdown or
communication failure. There are many reasons behind the problems in the communication
process. Let’s study the Communication Barriers in detail.
Definition of the Barrier to Communication: ‘Any obstacle or problem in the process of
Communication which hinders/obstructs the process of Communication is called Barrier.’
Barriers are part of process of Communication. Whenever we are communicating we encode and
decode. We use various channels for passing messages. At any level or at any moment or stage
there can be problems in communication process. Sometimes the sender may not use proper
language that the receiver will understand. Receiver may not be able to Decode properly. There
can be lot of noise in the surrounding which can disturb us. It rarely happens that barriers do not
arise in the communication process. Many times barriers arise in the minds of the sender and
receiver. The intended messages are not sent to the receivers .
Types of Barriers: We face many barriers while communicating. These barriers can create
obstacles in the communication process. These barriers are classified into the following types.
1.Physical or Environme ntal Barriers : The Barriers in the surrounding or in the environment
are the physical barriers.
2.Language/Semantic or Linguistic Barriers : Barriers arising due to the different language or
differences in language can create problems in communication. Semantic Barriers means the
problems arising because of the different meanings of the words.
3.Psychological Barriers: Barriers or problems arising due to the stress or psychological
problems are psychological barriers. It is difficult to accept and overcome these barriers.
4.Socio-Cultural Barriers : Due to differences in social status or cultural barriers many times
we face differences in communication. These are socio-cultural barriers.
Question:What is the meaning of Physical Barrier/Environme ntal Barriers ?Give examples
of Physical Barriers.
1.Physical Barriers : Many barriers arise in the surroundings or our environment. These barriers
create problems or confusion in communication.
• Noise: Traffic Noise or noise of machines in factory create disturbances in
communication. Noise pollution is biggest contributor or environment pollution in India.
Mrs.Pranita Kamath SKM’S J.M.PATEL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
, SEM 1 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
• Time and Distance :Physical distances between people can create major problems in
communication. Time zones around the world are not same. Due to differences in timings
between countries we have to adjust with the time difference of that country.
• Defects in Communication Systems: Many times the instruments or machines used in
communication such as Telephones, Fax or Computer can develop problems. The network of
Internet can fail or the Mike or Microphone used in the programmes can create loud noise.
Due to excess rains or natural calamity it becomes difficult to use the instruments properly.
The failure of Electronic power also results into communication loss or messages are not sent
properly.
• Wrong Selection of Medium : Medium means the objects used in communication eg.
Emails,Mobile Phones or Telephones etc. The correct medium is necessary. The improper use
of some machines such as Emails can delay the messages.
• High Temperature and Humidity: Excess Temperature or heat or cold Temperature create
difficulties in communication
Many times human physical defects such as stammering ,bad hearing, failure of
communication channels and bad handwriting also create misunderstanding in learning the
message.
Q.What is the meaning of Language or Semantic Barrier?
2.Language Barriers: Barriers arising due to differences in languages, words meaning or
pronunciation can create confusion among the people. Linguistic means related to the
language. Semantic means the meaning of the words.Following are some of the examples of
language barriers.
• Different Languages or lack of Common Language can create obstacles in
Communication. A person who does not understand the native language or even foreign
language cannot communicate well. This becomes very difficult situation.
• Multiplicity of words: words can have different meanings. Word power is gift to human
beings but at the same times multiple meaning or spellings of the words can create the
problems in communication.
• Words with similar pronunciation but different meaning [Homophones]also create
problems in communication. E.g. Except-accept, fair- fare, council-counsel,principal-
principle[etc].
• Jargon words[Technical words]used by professionals such as Engineers/Doctors or any
other professionals. Many times, jargon words are used unintentionally. But common
people or those who do not understand the meaning of these words face problems.
• By-passed Instructions: Means many times short cuts are used while passing the
messages. Eg. A Manager ordered the newly appointed secretary to go and burn the
C.D.She literally burned it . He meant to copy the C.D.
Mrs.Pranita Kamath SKM’S J.M.PATEL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
