WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

*Obilade(1989)* defines communication as a process that involves the transmission of message from a
sender to the receiver.

•Any means by which a thought is transferred from one person to another *(Folarin 2003).*

•The process by which any person or a group shares and impacts information with/to another
person(or group) so that both people(or groups) clearly understand one another *(Soola 2000).*

In simple terms, communication is the process whereby one person tells another person something
through a written or spoken word.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

There are basically two forms of communication

1. Verbal communication

2. Non-verbal communication

Verbal communication

This is a form of communication by which messages are transmitted through words of mouth and piece
of writing. It can be in oral or written communication.

Oral communication

This is communication by words of mouth and spoken languages. It is defined in different forms;

i. Speech communication=> use of sounds or conventional symbols

ii. Auditory=> relies on hearing

iii. Conversation=> exchange of views by two or more people

iv. Monologue=> speech made to oneself(soliloquy)

v. Dictation=> speech intended for reproduction in writing)

Advantages of Oral Communication

1.It is a learnable and improvable human activity.

2.It is a more accurate reflection of thought and attitude of the speaker.

3.It creates and sustains warm, interpersonal relationships.

4.It combines sight and sound, thus enabling participants to benefit

5. It allows instantaneous feedback

Disadvantages of Oral Communication

1.It lacks permanence/transient in nature(Television and radio).

2.There is possibility of misunderstanding of concept.

Written communication

This is communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten). Written

1. Folio, leaf - a sheet of any written or printed material (especially in a manuscript or book)

2. Writing - letters or symbols that are written or imprinted on a surface to represent the sounds or
words of a language

3. Prescription - written instructions from a physician or dentist to a druggist concerning the form and
dosage of a drug to be issued to a given patient.

4. Reading material - written material intended to be read

5. Code - a set of rules or principles or laws

6. Print - the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

Advantages of Written Communication

1.It provides opportunities for record keeping.

2.It is amenable to conveying complex messages, information, and ideas as well as explaining difficult
process.

3.It reduces the chance of misconception..

Disadvantages of Written Communication

1. It may require a laborious effort to produce.

2. It lacks the warmth of interpersonal relationships.

3. It may be expensive especially when it requires being dispatched to scattered receivers.

4. It delays feedback.

Non-verbal communication
 This is any information that is communicated without using words. It is often referred to as silent
language”. Just like other types of communication, non verbal communication can be seen in subtle
ways;

i. Vocalics (Para-language): This Deals with the extra-linguistic aspects of communication.It concerns
voice rather than words. E.g. Yawning to indicate tiredness or boredom; belching after food or drink to
show one has eaten to his fill. Para-language also include such vocal characteristics as rate (speed of
speaking), pitch (highness or lowness of tone), volume (loudness) and quality (pleasing or unpleasant
sound).

ii.Kinesics (Body Language)

a. Emblems are body movements that directly translate into words e.g. holding your fingers to show
how many of something you want.

b. Illustrators emphasise or reinforce words e.g. pointing down the road with a finger when giving
directions to someone.

c. Display of feelings show through facial expressions and body movements, how intensely a person is
feeling.

Intra-Personal Communication

It is communication that occurs within you. Because intrapersonal communication is centered in the
self, you are the sender and the receiver. The message is made up of your thoughts and feelings and the
channel is your brain, which processes what you are thinking and feeling.There is also feedback because
you talk to yourself. It is thought internal to the communicator. Intra-Personal Communication can be
seen in different ways;

• Writing by hand, or with a word processor one's thoughts or observations: It aids ordering one's
thoughts. Copying text to aid memorizing also falls in this category.

• Oculesics (Eye-Language): Messages are conveyed through the eyes by way of contact, blinks, eye
movement and pupil dilation. The eye is used to:

i. seek and provide reaction in form of feedback(waving off one's thought)

ii. gaze at, or probe into, and provoke anxiety in others.

iii. show excitement at getting a gift you want(imaginative thought)

• Communication between body parts e.g. "My stomach is telling me it's time for lunch."

•Day-dreaming

• Speaking aloud (talking to oneself), reading aloud, repeating what one hears
 Inter-personal Communication

This is the type of communication that takes place between two or more persons usually in an informal,
unstructured setting. It occurs mostly between two or more people. Each participant functions as both
sender and receiver; their messages consist of both verbal and non-verbal symbols and the channels
used mostly are tactile, oculesics and words. It also offers the greatest opportunity for quick feedback.

Small Group Communication

This form of communication occurs within a small number of people for the purpose of solving a
problem. The group must be small enough so that each member has a chance to interact with all the
other members, It could be between a manager and his workers.

One-to-group Communication

Here the speaker (sender) sends a message (the speech) to an audience(receiver). The voice is louder
and the gestures are more expansive based on audience size. Opportunity for verbal feedback is
limited. The setting is also formal and it could be a one way communication.

Mass Communication

Mass Communication is the electronic transmission of information to heterogenous groups with the use
of newspapers, magazines, books, radio and televisions.

Function of communication

1. Communication makes it possible to relate with people around us like our friends, families, colleagues
etc.

2. Communication provides opportunity to transact business by making known our ideas, what we are
offering for sale and what we want to buy.

3. Communication enables us to express our feelings, ideas and opinions on issues affecting us.

4. It helps to mobilize people to work together for their social and political development.

5. It helps us to be able to learn each other's cultures and beliefs for harmonious co-habitation.