Aural Communication and Context - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Welcome to Aural Communication and Context
• Focus of the lesson: Nature and elements of communication
• Key questions:
  • What is communication?
  • What are its features and characteristics?

Definition of Communication

• Origin: Latin word "communis" - means working together
• McCornack (2014) defines communication as:
  • Process of sharing and conveying messages or information
  • Involves channels, contexts, media, and cultures

Characteristics of Communication

1. Dynamic Process
   • Always changing, not static
   • Evolving over time and in different situations
2. Involves Communicators
   • Communicators: Speaker and receiver/listener
3. Systemic
   • Follows a particular system or step-by-step process
4. Irreversible
   • Once a message is relayed, it cannot be taken back
   • Importance of careful communication
5. Proactive
   • Engaging with a goal in mind
   • Anticipating responses from listeners
6. Symbolic Interaction
   • Communication has outcomes and intentions
   • Example: Talking to a crush for relationship development
7. Individually Construed
   • Different interpretations of the same message
   • Influence of cultural backgrounds and contexts

Elements of Communication

1. Speaker
   • Source of the message
   • Responsible for delivering the information
2. Message
   • The idea, concept, or emotion being communicated
3. Encoding
   • The mental process the speaker undergoes to formulate the message
4. Channel
   • Medium used to deliver the message (e.g., spoken, written, gestures)
5. Decoding
   • Process by which the receiver interprets the message
6. Receiver
   • The audience or listener who receives the message
7. Feedback
   • Response from the receiver after decoding the message
8. Context
   • The background, situation, and environment in which communication occurs
9. Barrier
   • Disruptions or hindrances to effective communication (e.g., noise)

Process of Communication

1. Sender/Source
   • Initiates communication and encodes the message
2. Transmission
   • Delivering the message through chosen channel
3. Receiver
   • Listens and decodes the message
4. Feedback
   • Receiver's response back to the sender
5. Noise/Barriers
   • Factors that can disrupt communication
   • Example: External distractions (e.g., loud sounds)

Conclusion

• Communication is a complex yet essential process
• Understanding the nature and elements can improve effective communication

References

• McCornack, S. (2014).

• See you again in the next lesson!