Components of Communication

Source

Source is the originator of the message. It can be a person or persons who want to communicate the message to another person or a group of people. Source can be an individual speaker addressing a group, a child asking for ice-cream, the couple sending an invitation cards for their anniversary, a person writing a letter, etc.

Message

The Message is the idea, thought, or feeling that the source wants to communicate. This message is encoded into verbal and nonverbal symbols that will most likely be understood by the receiver.

Receiver

The receiver is the recipient of the message. The receiver can be an individual or a group of people. Once the receiver hears the words and receives the nonverbal cues from the sender, she must interpret or decode them if communication is to occur.

Encoding

Once the source has decided on a message to communicate, he must encode or convert that idea, thought or feeling into verbal and nonverbal symbols that will be most effectively understood by the receiver. This encoding process is very creative as there are unlimited ways for the source to encode the ideas or feelings into words and behaviours. And as there are countless ways to encode the message, each one would be received and interpreted by the recipient in a slightly different way.

Let’s take an example of a simple expression – “I want to see you again.”

1] Simply say, “I want to see you again.” with smile while saying.

2] Say, “Let’s get together again.” with humorous glance.

3] Write on a paper napkin, “We need more meetings.”

Channel

A channel is the medium by which the message is communicated. The source can utilize the channels of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. If we want to communicate emotions, we utilize a variety of channels or combination of channels. E.g. We can say, “I like you” [sound]. We can give a hug [touch]. We can wink an eye [sight]. We can send chocolates [taste]. Or we can deliver a dozen roses [smell]. We can creatively select the channels of communication to communicate our message productively.

Decoding

Decoding is the process of making sense out of the received message. The receiver must decipher the language and behaviour sent by the source so that the meaning can be obtained. After decoding the message, the receiver [now the source] can encode a return message and send it back to the other person.

Context

All the communication occurs within a certain context. The context is made of the physical surroundings, the occasion, the time, the number of people present, noise level, etc. These factors affect the encoding and decoding of messages. The context plays an important role in the communication process. CHOOSE IT CAREFULLY.