What is Communication ?

Meaning of Communication

Communication is a process which includes transmission of information, ideas, emotions, skills,  knowledge  by  using  symbols,  words,  gestures,  and  visuals and  so  on.  Thus,  the  act  of communication is referred to as ‘transmission’.

The word communication was originated from the Latin word ‘communis’ which means ‘common’. Communion, community, communism, commonality, communalism etc. are some related words having the same linguistic roots. Similarly, newer and newer terms are being coined as the concept of communication assumes importance day by day. Communication technology, communication media, communication age, communication management are just a few.
As the very term indicates, the ultimate aim of the communication process is to create commonness between communicator and receiver of the message. Through communication, both communicator and receiver enter into a mental agreement. Thus, they achieve their goal, which may be expression of an emotion or ransmission of an idea.

Transaction, interchange, interaction, dialogue, discussion, sharing, contact are some of the concepts that come up in our minds when we refer to ‘communication’.
According to Oxford English Dictionary, communication is ‘the transfer or conveying of meaning’ (Oxford Dictionary).

Definitions

1. Communication is the exchange of meanings between individuals through a common system of symbols. (I.A.Richards).
2. The transmission of information, ideas attitudes, or emotion from one person or group to another or others primarily through symbols.
(Theodorson and Theordorson)
3. Communication is the transmission and interchange of facts, ideas, feeling or course of action. (Leland Brown)
4. Communication is a social interaction through messages ( Grabner, 1967)
5. The interchange of thoughts or information to bring about mutual understanding and confidence or good human relation. (American society of Training Directors).
6. ‘One mind affecting another’ (Claude Shannon)
7. ‘The mechanism through which human relations exist and develop’ (Wilbur Schramm)
8. ‘Transmission of stimuli’ (Colin Cherry)
9. Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding. (Louis Allen)
10. Communication refers to the act by one or more persons, of sending and receiving messages distorted by noise, within a context, with some effect and with some opportunity for feedback (Joseph A.Devito).