Types of Communication
a)
Basing on the communication medium used
There are two types of
communication; Communication through words which is called verbal communication
and communication through other symbols which is called non-verbal
communication.
1.
Verbal Communication
The term 'verbal' is
colloquially used to mean oral but in communication studies, 'verbal' means by
using words and language. It includes both written and oral. Most of our
communication is done by using language; we speak and write whenever we have to
convey information and ideas, to discuss, to motivate, to appreciate, or to
warn, reprimand, complain, and so on. We may do any of these things orally or
in writing.
Verbal communication is the form of communication in which message
is transmitted verbally. It is usually done by word of mouth and a piece of
writing.
Verbal
Communicationis further divided into two categories:
Oral Communication
Written Communication
Oral
Communication
Oral
communication is the communication that uses spoken words. It includes
face-to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation, video, radio,
television, voice over internet etc. In oral communication,
communication is influenced by pitch, volume, speed and clarity of speaking.
Written
Communication
Written
communication is the communication that uses written signs or symbols. A
written message may be printed or hand written. In written communication,
message can be transmitted via email, letter, report, memo etc. Message, in
written communication, is influenced by the vocabulary & grammar used,
writing style, precision and clarity of the language used.
2. Non-Verbal
Communication
Nonverbal communication refers
to sending or receiving wordless messages. It includes all things, other than
words and language that can convey meaning. For example, graphics like
pictures, maps, charts, graphs and diagrams in a written document, and body language
and voice qualities in speech. Nonverbal
communication involves the use of symbols, signs, gesture,
body language, posture, tone of voice or facial expressions.
Forms/codes of Non-verbal communication
a)
Nonverbal
aspects of written communication
i.
Color- may convey different meanings e.g. Red-
may mean danger, green may mean life. In traffic lights Red means “stop”,
yellow means “attention” and green means “pass”.
ii.
Diagrams, graphs and charts- these represent
different information especially the statistical ones. They are used to show
relationships of information.
iii.
Maps- they represent a territory and are used to
convey the space relationship between places. Also they are used to show
direction of places.
b)
Signs
and signals
A sign is a mark used to represent something e.g. +
for “plus” skull and crossbones for “danger”. Signs usually have fixed
meanings. A signal is a previously agreed movement which serves to warn or
command. e.g. a coming of a green light is a signal “to go ahead” or firing a
gun up in gatherings is a signal “to disperse”.
c)
Auditory
symbols
Are sounds that are used to convey certain meaning
e.g. sirens used to warn about enemy or warning about fire/accident. Whistles
are used to instruct something in sports or in police army to call members to
assemble.
d) Body language – refers to the changes
that occur in the body position and movements that show what the person is
feeling or thinking.
i.
Clothing
and accessories – refers to the kind of clothes one wears can make an
identification of where he/she works or belongs. e.g combats for soldiers or
militia, helmets for masons, or motorbike riders
ii.
Postures
– is the way we hold ourselves or the way we stand or sit. e.g. stiff postures show
tensions, comfortable leaning back shows a relaxed mood, leaning forward in
conversation shows listener’s interest.
iii.
Facial
expressions – this can show one’s interest, enjoyment, surprise, distress,
shame, contempt, anger or fear. e.g. a frown/ yawns may convey displeasure,
raised eye brows may convey disbelief or surprise, smile may convey
satisfaction or joy, eye contact may convey attention/ surprise, avoiding eye
contact may convey that the speaker is lying or is shy.
iv.
Gestures
– refers to the movement of hands/head/body and these movements are natural
accompaniment of speech. A person who does not make any movement while speaking
appears somewhat stiff and mechanical.
e) Paralanguage
is the non-verbal aspects of the spoken word. It includes the qualities of
the voice, the way we use our voice, as well as the sounds we make without
uttering words. Paralanguage describes the vocal quality of a spoken message
such as, volume, pitch, speed.
i.
Volume is the loudness or softness, which
can be consciously adjusted to the number of persons in the audience and the
distance between the speaker and the listeners; speaking too loud shows lack of
self-command or abrasive nature.
ii.
Pitch is the highness or lowness of your
voice; a high-pitched voice is often unpleasant, and suggests immaturity or
emotional disturbance; a frightened person speaks in a high pitched voice. It
is better to begin softly, in a low pitch and raise the volume and pitch as
required. e.g. Do-le-mi-so fe la ti do.
iii.
Rate/Speed
–How rapidly or slowly you speak. Rapid speech indicates excitement; we
increase speed of speaking to tell an interesting story, and reduce speed to
explain a difficult idea.
iv.
Hesitations
and non-fluencies which form
a part of spoken language. Sounds like Er-er, Mmmm-, indicate that the
speaker is hesitating or cannot find the next word to say. Sounds like, Ahem!
huh! Ah-ha! Ouch! Oh-ok! Are used to convey various ideas or emotions.
v.
Silence can be a very effective way of
communication. It is not a negative absence of speech but a positive withdrawal
or suspension of speech. Short silences or pauses are very effective in giving
emphasis to words. In presentations, silence can be used effectively to
emphasize a point.
In a face-to-face situation, silence may indicate several
things. Facial expression and posture may indicate the feeling behind the
silence. It may mean that the person is not sure what to say, or is so full of
feeling as to be unable to speak. Sympathy with someone who has suffered loss
is often best expressed by keeping silent rather than speaking. Some feelings
like anger or displeasure can also be expressed by keeping silent.
Nonverbal Codes and
verbal codes work together to perform six functions:
·
To repeat- Occurs when the same message is sent
verbally and nonverbally
·
To emphasize- The use of nonverbal cues to
strengthen your message
·
To complement- The verbal and nonverbal codes
add meaning to each other and expand on their message alone
·
To contradict- Verbal and nonverbal conflict.
e.g. When you are angry with somebody you may say you are fine but non-
verbally you show uncomfortability with a person
·
To substitute-No use of verbal language at all.
·
To Regulate-Used to monitor and control
interactions with others.
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