Chapter 1
An overview of communication
Communication is in every aspect of life
Everyday communication
→ Incredibly important
Creates, maintains, challenges and alters relationship and identities as well as
culture, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, meaning and even reality
Relationship shared by people will influence what is communicated, how it is shared, and the
meanings that develop
Communication creates, modifies and reinforces all relationships
→ Link between communication and relationship is undeniable
COMMUNICATION IS THE TRANSACTIONAL USE OF SYMBOLS, INFLUENCES, GUIDED AND UNDERSTOOD IN THE
CONTEXT OF RELATIONSHIPS
You have been communicating your entire life
→ You can apply the material improve your communication abilities and life
Words codes menu instead of “a list of food”
Built-in expectations about the relationship between a server and a costumer
Communication = more than the exchange of messages
→ Something will take place as a result of message exchange
Worlds of meaning are created & personal perspectives are being displayed
Additional issues such as gender, status, power, and politeness are being
negotiated
7 KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION :
a. Communication is symbolic
b. Communication requires meaning
c. Communication is cultural
d. Communication is relational
e. Communication involves frames
f. Communication is both presentational and representational
g. Communication is a transaction
COMMUNICATION IS SYMBOLIC
Symbol = arbitrary representation of something else
→ E.g. an object, an idea, a place, a person or a relationship
→ Either verbal or nonverbal
Verbal communication involves language, nonverbal involves all other symbols
→ Symbol can be a word, a movement, a sound, a picture, a logo, a gesture, a mark…
Sign = consequences or indicators of something specific, which humans cannot change by
their arbitrary actions or labels
→ Direct causal connection e.g. chair in other languages different symbolic way (Stuhl,
chaise)
→ Different in different cultures e.g. toilets = restrooms
An overview of communication
Communication is in every aspect of life
Everyday communication
→ Incredibly important
Creates, maintains, challenges and alters relationship and identities as well as
culture, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, meaning and even reality
Relationship shared by people will influence what is communicated, how it is shared, and the
meanings that develop
Communication creates, modifies and reinforces all relationships
→ Link between communication and relationship is undeniable
COMMUNICATION IS THE TRANSACTIONAL USE OF SYMBOLS, INFLUENCES, GUIDED AND UNDERSTOOD IN THE
CONTEXT OF RELATIONSHIPS
You have been communicating your entire life
→ You can apply the material improve your communication abilities and life
Words codes menu instead of “a list of food”
Built-in expectations about the relationship between a server and a costumer
Communication = more than the exchange of messages
→ Something will take place as a result of message exchange
Worlds of meaning are created & personal perspectives are being displayed
Additional issues such as gender, status, power, and politeness are being
negotiated
7 KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION :
a. Communication is symbolic
b. Communication requires meaning
c. Communication is cultural
d. Communication is relational
e. Communication involves frames
f. Communication is both presentational and representational
g. Communication is a transaction
COMMUNICATION IS SYMBOLIC
Symbol = arbitrary representation of something else
→ E.g. an object, an idea, a place, a person or a relationship
→ Either verbal or nonverbal
Verbal communication involves language, nonverbal involves all other symbols
→ Symbol can be a word, a movement, a sound, a picture, a logo, a gesture, a mark…
Sign = consequences or indicators of something specific, which humans cannot change by
their arbitrary actions or labels
→ Direct causal connection e.g. chair in other languages different symbolic way (Stuhl,
chaise)
→ Different in different cultures e.g. toilets = restrooms
