History of Communication

Definition of “Communication”

• The roots of the word ” communication” (communis, or common)

accurately portray its purpose. In communication the speaker tries to express

his thoughts while the listener has to absorb them . As a result, the speaker

is obligated to create a clear picture to stimulate the listener and “make their

thoughts common” .

• Nowadays, "communication” is defined as a process of imparting or

exchanging information by speaking, writing, using gestures or some other

medium.

What is needed to communicate with others?

• Ability to listen

• Appropriate verbal speech

• Appropriate non-verbal speech

• Involvement in conversation

Early Communications

• Before the human beings created

languages and alphabets, they

communicated with both sound and

body language. Arguably, the earliest

humans related feelings and stories

through sounds as well as body and

hand gestures. Some of these stories

became illustrated.

Early Communications

As mankind developed the

communication symbols

appeared :

• Egyptian hieroglyphics

• Wooden totem poles

• Religious symbols like the Star

of David and the Christian

cross.

Development of Language

Even though scholars were creating ways

to write languages, many people were

unable to obtain a formal education and

could not read these developing

alphabets; so early commercial signage

developed, like the barber pole and other

symbols indicating the type of service a

merchant provided.

Different Forms of Communication

• SYMBOLS – beginning in 30 000

B.C.

• Actually, symbols are characteristic

for trademarks.

Insignia and Flags

• Other identifying forms of

communication from the

past and present include

insignia which were and still

are used by military forces.

•

• These forces often routinely

carried flags representing

their countries.

Morse Code

• This form of communication was used in the past and is still used today.

Beginning in 1836, the American artist Samuel F. B. Morse, the American

physicist Joseph Henry, and Alfred Vail developed an electrical telegraph

system.

Road Signs

• Some forms of communication

are units of measure. They were

printed on road signs to

communicate distances and

acceptable miles per hour for

automobile drivers.

Courier and Post

• The oldest information

about the existing courier

system comes from Egypt

2400 B.C.

• The post travelled in

different ways among

others: pigeon racing,

couriers on horses,

balloons or ships.

Physically Challenged Communication

• Person who is unable to

read, write, see or hear

may be able to learn and

use sign language and

other forms of specially

adapted communication

technology.

Communication Today

•Mobile phone (but beginning in 1848)

•TV (beginning in 1927)

• Internet (beginning in 1969)

Summary

• Sometimes however, simply talking

face-to-face is truly the most

effective type of communication.