Process of Communication

Difference between General And Technical Communication

The word communication is derived from Latin word “communis” or “ communicare” or “communico”. It means sharing – sharing of information or intelligence (knowledge).

Communication means transfer of message / information from sender to receiver. But, in communication only transfer of message is not sufficient. In addition to this, the message must be properly received and understood by the receiver in proper sense. Thus, communication is sharing of information and understanding.

“Newstorm & Davis”Communication is transfer of information from one person to another. It is a way of reaching others by transmitting ideas, facts, thoughts, feelings and value.

“W.H.Newman”“Communication is an exchange of ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons.”

Communication is a process.

sender

message

channel

receiver

response

feedback

Sender message Channel RecieverENCODING DECODING

MEDIUM

RESPONSESENDER

FEEDBACK

The process of communication starts with generation of idea.

This idea arises in the mind of sender. The sender thinks about a particular

matter and thereafter, an idea arises in his mind.

After this he has to convert the idea into message.

After the generation of idea, the sender has to convert his ideas into message.

This process of converting ideas into message is known as encoding.

For this purpose the sender has to select and use certain words or symbols. (such as signs, pictures)

After preparing the message the sender has to transmit the message through some channel or medium.

Channel is some media through which there is a transfer of message from sender to receiver.

There are different channels of communication like letter, telephone, post card, fax, e.mail etc.

When the receiver receives the message he tries to understand it by the process of decoding.

It is reverse of encoding. Decoding means the process of converting the

message into some ideas or meaning i.e. to interpret and to understand the idea in right sense.

The process of decoding is influenced by receiver’s knowledge , intelligence, past experience and his relation with sender.

After receiving and understanding the message, the receiver reacts to it.

This means he gives response or replies to the message.

The message may be immediate or deferred. It may be favourable or unfavourable.

E.g. when a person writes a letter of congratulation to the friend on his success in examination, he may give response by writing letter of thanks.

When the sender sends the message, he is interested in knowing his message is received and properly understood by the receiver or not.

He can find out this by getting feedback from the receiver.

Feedback is essential as it is a barometer of effective communication.

Feedback is the observation or knowledge of the response of receiver.

Immediate feedback is possible only in case of face to face communication or in telephonic communication.

Thus, in the process of communication :

First the sender creates an idea, the idea becomes message thereafter message is transferred through some channels, the receiver receives the message and gives his response, finally the sender gets feedback.

GENERAL COMMUNICATION TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

1] General communication which is

mostly oral.

2] In general communication even

illiterate person can understand.

3] General communication is personal

and subjective.

4] General communication is done for

all.

5] Not always for a special audience

6] General content

1] Technical communication is mostly

formal and required technical message

2] In technical communication technical

terms are employed and literate person

and understand.

3] Technical communication is impersonal

and objective.

4] Technical communication is done for

specific people.

5] Specific audience

6] Technical content

7] Its contains a general message. 8] It is not always for a specific audience.

9] It does not involves the use of technical vocabulary or graphics etc.

10] General communication is informal in style approach.

11] May not be factual

12] Not always structured

13] May or may not graphics

14] General vocabulary

7] Its contains a technical message.

8] It is always for a specific audience.

9] It frequently involves jargons and graphics etc.

10] Technical communication is not informal in style approach.

11] Always factual

12] Logically organised and stuctured

13] Usually involves graphics

14] Special vocabulary

GENERAL COMMUNICATION TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION