Aakansha Sarkar, 22BHST073, BA History Honours TY

What is communication? What role does it play in personality?

Many scholars have attempted to provide a definitive meaning of communication.

According to the Association of Perioperative Practice, the term communication originates
from the Latin word communis. Lunenberg (2010) supports this view, agreeing that
communication has its roots in Latin from the word communis. However, he further
explains that it means 'common', implying that there must be a shared understanding of the
message between the source and the receiver regarding what is being communicated.
Types and Levels of Communication
There are numerous types and forms of communication, which vary depending on the
medium used or the method through which information is exchanged. For instance,
communication can occur via the internet, telephone (mobile phones), speaking, singing,
dancing, sign language, touch, eye contact, body language, and even through one’s choice
of attire. All these contribute to the various types of communication that exist. Teaching is
also considered a form of communication, as a teacher conveys information to students
through different channels such as face-to-face interaction in the classroom, speech, visual
aids, experiments, written notes, and internet-based methods like Skype, video
conferencing, or blogging. Additionally, communication can be classified as human
(which includes verbal, non-verbal, business, or written communication) and non-human
(occurring among animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria). Broadly, the following are the
types of communication.

Verbal Communication
As the name suggests, verbal communication involves the use of words. This includes
sounds, language, and speaking. Speaking is an effective means of communication and is
categorized into interpersonal communication and public speaking (Aarti, 2011).
Interpersonal communication occurs when one person speaks directly to another. In this
setting, communication is usually informal, allowing individuals to express what they
truly feel, though this expression is still guided by the social norms affecting both the
sender and the receiver. Public speaking, on the other hand, takes place when one person
addresses a larger audience. Here, communication becomes formal, governed by rules, and
primarily focused on achieving a specific outcome. In both forms, speakers may aim to
entertain, inform, persuade, or argue. Verbal communication is also referred to as oral or
spoken communication. It can be enhanced with visual aids and non-verbal elements to
clarify meaning, build rapport, and promote a higher level of understanding by eliminating
ambiguity and allowing for immediate feedback.

Non-verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication refers to the process of conveying meaning through messages
that do not involve words. It encompasses all the ideas, messages, and information we
express without verbal language, using physical cues such as tone of voice, touch, smell,
and body movement. This type of communication also includes artistic forms like music,
dance, painting, drama, and sculpture. Symbols and sign language are part of non-verbal
communication as well (cf. Daniel, 2016). Elements such as body language, facial
expressions, throat clearing, physical contact, and attire can convey substantial meaning.
A clear example of non-verbal communication is sign language, which is universally
usable at any time. Another example is the ringing of a bell, a commonly understood
non-verbal cue. While the sound of a bell in itself has no inherent meaning, within specific
contexts it can signal “time for school,” “change of lesson,” “someone at the door,” “end
of lesson,” or even “second-hand goods for sale.” According to Wilson (1972), almost
anything can be used as a sign, and nearly every sign can communicate multiple
meanings. He emphasizes that the significance of any sign is determined by a mutual
understanding and agreement on how it is used.
Written Communication
Written communication involves conveying messages through written words. It is widely
practiced across various languages and is used for both business and personal purposes.
Examples of written communication include emails, text messages, reports, articles, and
memos. One key advantage of written communication is that it can be edited and revised
multiple times before being sent to the intended recipient. Writing is a human invention,
and just like the origin of language, there are numerous legends and stories surrounding
the invention of writing. One such legend claims that Cadmus, a prince of Phoenicia,
invented the alphabet and introduced it to Greece. Other stories suggest that early human
drawings laid the foundation for today’s pictorial writing. These ancient images, known as
pictograms, were often carved on stone and are considered the earliest forms of written
communication (Yule, 2010). Over time, writing evolved to be inscribed on paper,
papyrus, clay, and wax. In modern times, written communication has expanded to digital
formats, enabling the transfer of information through various electronic means.

Visual Communication
Visual communication involves the representation of information through visual elements.
This includes topography, photography, signs, traffic codes, symbols, and graphic designs.
Television and video clips are considered electronic forms of visual communication (Aarti,
2011). These visual tools help convey messages effectively by appealing to the sense of
sight, often enhancing understanding through imagery.

Intra-personal Communication
Intra-personal communication refers to the communication that occurs within an
individual. According to [Link], it involves the use of language or thought
internally by the communicator. Daniel (2016) illustrates this as “communicating with
yourself” (p. 32). Contrary to the belief that talking to oneself may indicate being ‘crazy’
or ‘loony’, she asserts that it is something we all do frequently. This form of
communication involves the speaker and receiver being the same person, though many
people are unaware they are doing it. Writing a shopping list, daydreaming, or giving
yourself a pep talk are all examples of intra-personal communication. Daniel (2016) also
includes activities such as soliloquizing, writing in a diary, thinking through problems, and
even scolding oneself for making a mistake as forms of intra-personal communication.
Non-Human Communication
Non-human communication refers to any form of information exchange that does not
involve humans. Often termed extra communication, it encompasses interactions between
plants and animals, as well as cellular communication among microorganisms. For
instance, chemical exchanges between bacteria and fungi are forms of non-human
communication. Similarly, activities such as virus transmission and the spread of cancer
cells also fall under this category. Such mechanisms are believed to have contributed to
the rapid and widespread transmission of the Ebola virus during the West African
outbreak, resulting in significant loss of life.
Animal communication, in particular, is defined as any behavior exhibited by one animal
that affects the behavior of others within the same environment, either instantly or over
time. The formal study of this phenomenon is called zoosemiotics, and it plays a crucial
role in the exploration of animal cognition. Despite the field's significant scholarly
foundation over the past fifty years, Martinelli (2010: vii) observes that it still evokes a
sense of curiosity, often leading to skepticism and perceptions of it being ‘exotic’.
Nevertheless, its academic history supports its credibility and importance.

Mass Communication
According to Daniel (2016), mass communication is described as massive due to its
one-to-many approach where a single source delivers messages to a broad audience.
Unlike interpersonal communication, which typically involves one-on-one or small group
interaction, mass communication targets a large population using channels such as
newspapers, radio, television, or the internet. Thus, mass communication is essentially the
dissemination of information, ideas, and messages to a wide audience through various
forms of media, both print and electronic. Moreover, mass communication is not only a
professional practice but also a recognized academic discipline. For example, the National
Open University of Nigeria has a Department of Mass Communication, and numerous
other universities also offer this course. Studying mass communication academically
prepares students to become media professionals who play vital roles in informing and
shaping society.

Factors Affecting Communication

Effective communication is a two-way process, yet several factors can interfere with it
and impact how messages are interpreted and understood. These problems may arise at
different stages of communication and involve any of its key elements such as the sender,
the message, the channel, the receiver, feedback, and context. Therefore, it becomes
important to recognize and understand these factors to reduce misunderstanding and
misinterpretation. Among the common areas that often act as barriers to effective
communication are differences in status or role, cultural distinctions, and other related
aspects. The position of the sender and receiver within a hierarchy can influence
communication. They may occupy the same level, for example, two managers in an
organization, or they may be on different levels, such as manager and employee, lecturer
and student, or business owner and client. Such differences in status can influence how
effective the communication becomes. Cultural distinctions, whether within an
organization like those between departments or while interacting with external parties
such as other organizations or ethnic minorities, may obstruct communication. These
differences can lead to misunderstandings if not approached with cultural awareness.
Before choosing a communication channel, one should ask whether the selected medium
is appropriate for the particular purpose and the intended receiver. Using an inappropriate
channel can send out the wrong signals and create confusion. Additionally, the length of
the message plays a role in communication. It must serve its purpose and be suitable for
the receiver. The message could either be too long or too brief. Language also
significantly affects communication. Poor choice of words or weak sentence structure can
hamper the clarity of the message. Improper punctuation also contributes to
misunderstanding. Consider the example: "Woman, without her, man is nothing" and
"Woman, without her man, is nothing." These two sentences, though made up of the same
words, convey entirely different meanings due to punctuation placement.
Disabilities such as impaired sight, dyslexia, or poor mental health can also present
barriers to good communication. Such conditions must be considered when evaluating the
effectiveness of communication. Hearing aids, sign language, magnifying systems, and
symbols may be needed to address the issues caused by these disabilities. Whether the
receiver is known or unknown to the sender also plays an important role in determining
communication effectiveness. A known receiver may understand the message better even
if there is insufficient information, due to shared experiences and common schemata. An
unknown receiver, on the other hand, may require additional information and time to
decode the message.
Sometimes the method of communication must consider the personality traits, age, and
preferences of the receiver. Elderly individuals and children have different communication
needs compared to young adults. It helps to know whether the receiver is more visual,
auditory, or kinesthetic. The sender must anticipate how the receiver will react and adapt
their communication style accordingly. Environmental elements can also be a barrier. A
noisy place, like a party, may strain oral communication. Both the sender and receiver
must then put extra effort into ensuring the message is delivered and understood correctly.
The clarity of the message also matters. A message that is vague or ambiguous can cause
confusion. Furthermore, feedback is an essential part of communication, as it helps both
parties confirm mutual understanding. When feedback is absent, it may lead to uncertainty
and confusion.
Role of Communication Skills on Personality Development

Personality refers to an individual’s characteristics, behavior, style, mindset, and attitude,

and reflects their unique way of perceiving matters and seeing the world. Factors such as
genetics, family background, culture, environment, and current circumstances
significantly influence personality development. The way a person behaves with others is
a display of their personality. An individual with a pleasing character is usually preferred
and respected by others. Understanding the importance of personality development is
vital. While many believe personality development is merely about improving physical
appearance, it is a broader concept. It includes educating oneself to develop a clean and
graceful social presence, as well as improving communication and interpersonal skills.
Life goals cannot be fully achieved without these important skills.
Personality development offers many benefits, including self-confidence, credibility,
leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, curiosity, and communication skills.
Self-confidence is a crucial trait for success, although many struggle to maintain it. The
lack of self-confidence can distance individuals from their aspirations. Confident people
often admire good qualities in others whether in leaders, friends, family, or peers.
Credibility is another significant aspect in today’s world. People often judge others based
on their appearance and attire. Being overly aggressive or excessively passive does not
work well in professional settings. A balanced approach helps in building credibility
among peers.
Interpersonal skills, which include interactions with others individually or in groups, are
vital for success in both professional and personal life. These skills revolve around
communication, listening, questioning, and interpreting body language. Personality
development also fosters leadership qualities. It enables individuals to guide and motivate
others towards achieving common goals. A good leader inspires their team positively and
works hard to achieve success. Leadership is a goal-oriented quality that allows
individuals to stay focused and ambitious. Leaders must possess a clear vision and treat
everyone with equal respect. Among all other skills, communication remains the most
essential. It involves expressing thoughts and feelings clearly through speech, writing,
visuals, or non-verbal cues. The transmission of information must be clear and
understandable so that the listener or audience can interact effectively.

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