Defining communication ( the 5 key-terms)

Social

Communication involves people and interactions, whether it is face to face or online. This necessarily involves two people, who acts as receiver or senders.

Environment

Environment includes a number of elements, including time, place, historical period, relationship and a speaker's and listener's social background. -How does Facebook influence communication? - Geographical boarders are missing, emoji usage replaces words, it is easier to get a message to broader audiences. Problems: Can not hear tone of voice, hidden body-language and eye movement.

Symbol

It is an arbitrary label or representation of phenomena. Words are symbols for concepts and things. Labels may be ambiguous, may be both verbal and non-verbal, and may occur in face-to-face and mediated communication. Symbols are often agreed upon within a group and often not understood outside the group. There are 2 types of symbols; abstract symbols and concrete symbols.

Process

It is ongoing and unending. Communication is also dynamic, complex and continually changing.

Meaning

It is what people extract from the message. A message can more that one meaning and even multiple layers of meaning. Not all meaning is shared, therefore some people may not understand the meaning of, what others say. In these situations, we must be able to explain, repeat and clarify.