Communication involves the sharing and creation of meaning through symbolic human action such as language. It is a process that has no beginning or end and is constantly changing. Communication occurs through systems like interactions between people and is both intentional and unintentional. The essential components of communication are the source, message, interference, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, context and time. Effective communication is critical for success in life.

1. Co_m_n_cati_n is the simultaneous s_aring and cre_ting of mea_ing through huma_ symbolic action.<br />Com_uni_atio_ in a broad se_se is the sharing of expe_ience – we are all indi_idu_ls who are the pro_ _ct of our natur_ and our experiences.<br />Unique to hu_an communication is the sup_rior ability of humans to create and to use sy_bols. The use of symbolic lan_uage is what separates the human from the animal. A symbol is something used for or regarded as represent_ _g something else. A symbol stands for something else, represents something, but is not the thing itself – the word “table” is not an actual table. The meaning of words is a matter of so_ial agreement, of consensus – therefore it is arbitrary.<br />Com_un_ca_ion is a proce_s – because it involves a series of actio_s that has no beginni_g or end and is constan_ly changing.<br />C_mm_nica_ion is a sy_tem – a combination of parts interdepe_dently acting to form a w_ole (human body) – fight at home, in workplace and in classroom, in traffic, etc.<br />Commu_ication is both in_eractional and tran_actional; <br />In_eraction – an exchange of communication in which people take turns se_ding and receivi_g messages (phone conversation). <br />Tra_saction – extends the concept of intera_tion to include simultaneous acti_ns<br />Com_unication can be intentio_al or u_intentional: <br />Inte_tional – message that is purp_sely sent to a specific rec_iver. <br />Unintenti_nal – message that was not inte_ed to be sent or was not intended for the individu_l who received it.<br />Essential Comp_nents of Commu_ication:<br />sou_ce, mess_ge, interfer_nce, cha_nel, receiv_r, f_edback, environ_ent, contex_ and tim_ <br />Four roles of Sour_e: <br />Determine meanin_

2. E_coding – translating thoughts and meanings into words, sounds, physical expressions

3. Sendi_g

4. Reac_ing to messa_eMes_age – the stimulus produced by the source – comprised of wo_ds, gram_ar, organization, physical appearance, bod_ movement, voice, aspects of the person’s personality, self-concept, personal style; Messages can be verb_l or non_erbal, i_tentional or unintentio_al. So, the four types of messages are: intenti_nal verbal, unintentional v_rbal, intention_l nonverbal, unintentional no_verbal.<br />I_terference – anything that changes the mea_ing of an intended mes_age, reduces or distorts the clarity, accuracy, meaning, understanding or retention of a message. <br />Kinds of Interferences: External, Physic_l, Inte_nal, Psycholog_cal<br />Cha_nel – the route <br />Receiv_r – decodes messages; simultaneously source and receiver <br />Feed_ack – the response the receiver send back to the source.<br />Feedbac_ is the return to you of beh_vior you generated. Feedback reinforces some behaviors and extinguishes others.<br />Environ_ent – the psychological and physical surroundings in which com_unication occurs – encompasses the at_itudes, feelin_s, perceptions, and relationships of the communicators as well as characteristics of the location in which communication takes place – size, color, arrangement, decoration, temperature of room.<br />Co_text – communication does not occur in a vacuum – the number of people, the type of communication, and the situation in which the communic_tion occurs – each context affects what we say and how we say it, and vice versa.<br />T_me - communication progresses through time, it is not stati_ – the communicators can never return to the point at which they started. The relationship undergoes change as a result of each interactio_.<br />Why stud_ communication? <br />Effe_tive communication is critical to succe_sful living – classroom, workplace, personal life; saves time, makes life more enjoyable, allows people to establish and maintain relationships successfully and facilitates accomplishing personal go_ls.<br />Communicati_n is effecti_e when the stimulus as it was initiated and intended by the source, corresponds closely to the sti_ulus as it is perceived and responded to by the receiv_r. In one sense, when what you say is heard, perceived, understood, processed and acted upon, the way you wanted it.<br />Spee_h is the act, faculty or power of speaki_g; oral communi_ation; the ability to express<br />one’s thoug_ts and emoti_ns by sounds and gesture.<br />Phonetic transcripti_n is necessary, because the s_elling of a word does not tell you how you should pron_unce it. Pho_etic transcriptions are usually written in the _nternational _honetic _lphabet, in which each E_glish sound has a special symbol.<br />Sp_ech com_unication deals with inter_ction of communicators through the use of la_guage. Language consists of systematized v_cal sounds made in the mou_h, nose, and th_oat, which are organized into words and phrases for communic_tion.<br />In the produc_ion of sounds, the air stream is initiated in the l_ngs and comes out through the mout_h or nos_. It is modified and controlled by the _ocal apparatus whose parts are either mov_ble or starionar_. The movabl_ parts include the _ips, j_w, tongu_, velum, and the vocal cords. The staio_ary parts are the te_th, alve_lar ridge, hard p_alate, and back wall of the pharyn_. If one can master the types of m_vements of the lips and tongue, he can produce the sounds of any lang_age.<br />The _nglish alp_abet has 2_ letters: 5 _owels and _1 con_sonants. Each vowel or combination of vowels represents a vowel so_nd. A consonant or a combination of consonats, likewise, represents a c_nsonant sou_d. <br />Sp_ech Arti_ulation<br />The smallest unit of speech sound is called a ph_neme.