Components of Communication

The process of transmitting and receiving verbal and nonverbal messages is called communication. In simple words, communication is a two way process of exchanging information or ideas. Here we should note that communication will be effective only if the sender receives desired response or reaction from the receiver. Some of the important components of communication are given and discussed below.

Context

Context is an important component of the communication because the message of both oral and written communication begins with the context. Context is a broad concept and includes various aspects such as the type of organization, culture of the society, features of the country, internal and external stimuli etc. These aspects have great influence on how sender translates his ideas into a message. For example every culture has its own conventions for processing and communicating information. Similarly external stimulus prompts sender to send a message whereas internal stimuli (such as sender’s attitude, emotions, past experiences, education, job status etc) influence the way sender communicates his ideas.

Sender-Encoder

The sender of a message is known as “encoder”. The encoder encodes a message by using different symbols (such as words, graphics, pictures etc) depending upon the type of communication i.e. oral or written.  The encoder always try to find those symbols which best describe his message so that the receiver can understand it easily and can give timely response.

Message

Message refers to the core idea which the sender wants to communicate. The sender can use both verbal and nonverbal communication for this purpose. Here the sender must take into consideration the impact of message on receiver. He should carefully examine the context and most importantly the receiver of his message. The sender should know how the receiver will interpret the message and how it may affect their relationship.