COMMUNICATION

Understanding Communication A famous quote says - “The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives”

The process of passing any information from one person to the other person with the aid of some medium is termed ascommunication.

The first party who sends the information is called the sender and the second party who receives the information, decodes the information and accordingly responds is called the receiver or the recipient. Thus in simpler terms communication is simply a process where the sender sends the information to the receiver for him to respond.

Sender	-----------------------------------	Receiver
	Information

Joe might have an unparalleled, incomparable concept or an idea with him but he would never get the credit if he merely keeps it within himself. He has to pass on the idea to his fellow workers. He has to communicate. Not only communicate but also effectively communicate.

In an organization, your boss will never give you your share of credit, unless and until you present your work in a well defined manner. How will one present his/her work- by communication.

Parents will never understand that their child is hurt unless and until, the child cries or shows his wounds. What is crying? A form of communication. What does showing of wounds mean-The child wants to communicate to his parents that he needs to be immediately attended by the doctor.

Mike preferred pasta to pizza and once during the Christmas party, he made his point clear and pasta was ordered only for Mike as Jenny, Christina and Tony were all pizza lovers. Mike did nothing but simply communicated and passed on his desire to his gang, here Mike being the sender and the others receiver.

Communication process is a simple process where a message is being transferred from a sender to the receiver. The receiver after receiving the message understands the message in the desired form and then acts accordingly.

The Process of Sending the Message

The first party or the sender first thinks of information, whatever he intends to communicate or transfer to the others. Then he puts the information or the message in words or prepare a content. The process of putting the thoughts in words is called encoding. Finally the content after being ready is transmitted to the receiver.

The process of receiving the Message

The message reaches the sender, who then decodes the message or in simpler terms breaks the information, understands it and responds to the receiver. The sender also gives feedback to the receiver after he has understood the complete information.

Communication in simpler terms is a process of passing the information from the first party (sender) to the second party (receiver). Communication plays a vital role not only in organizations or one’s professional career but also is essential in day to day life.

Different Types of Communication Systems

A thought kept in the brain is of no use unless and until it is shared with other individuals and rest of the world. The idea, no matter however brilliant it is, must come out for its successful implementation for it to benefit one and all. It is the prime responsibility of the individual to share his thoughts and ideas with others. How is it possible? How can one share his ideas and thoughts? The communication system enables the successful transmission of idea or any other important information among individuals. The person from whom the thought originates carefully encodes his ideas into a sensible content which is now ready to be shared with everyone. He is commonly referred to as the sender and the other party who receives the information from him is called the receiver or the recipient. The free flow of information between the sender and the receiver takes place because of the communication system.

The flow of information can be between two individuals. The information can flow from the individual to a machine, from the machine to the individual and even between two machines. Machines coupled together through networks also provide signals for the individuals to respond, thus a type of communication system. In the above cases all the machines must work on similar lines and patterns, must be technically compatible and has to provide the same information, so that the individuals can decode the information well.

Let us study the various types of communication system for the smooth flow of information between two parties.

1. Optical Communication System

   The word “Optical” stands for light. As the name itself suggests, optical communication system depends on light as the medium for communication. In an optical communication system the transmitter converts the information into an optical signal (signal in the form of light) and finally the signal then reaches the recipient. The recipient then decodes the signal and responds accordingly. In optical communication system, light helps in the transmission of information. The safe landing of helicopters and aeroplanes work on the above principle. The pilots receive light signals from the base and decide their next movements. On the roads, red light communicates the individual to immediately stop while the individual moves on seeing the green light.
   In this mode of communication light travels through the optical fibre.

2. Radio Communication System

   In the radio communication system the information flows with the help of a radio. Radio communication system works with the aid of a transmitter and a receiver both equipped with an antenna.
   The transmitter with the help of an antenna produces signals which are carried through radio carrier wave. The receiver also with the help of an antenna receives the signal. Some information is unwanted and must be discarded and hence the electronic filters help in the separation of radio signals from other unwanted signals which are further amplified to an optimum level Finally the signals are decoded in an information which can be easily understood by the individuals for them to respond accordingly.

3. Duplex communications system

   In Duplex communications system two equipments can communicate with each other in both the directions simultaneously and hence the name Duplex. When you interact with your friend over the telephone, both of you can listen to each other at the same time. The sender sends the signals to the receiver who receives it then and there and also give his valuable feedback to the speaker for him to respond. Hence the communication actually takes place between the speaker and the receiver simultaneously.
   In the Duplex communication system, two devices can communicate with each other at the same time.
   A type of communication system involves the sender and the receiver where the sender is in charge of sending signals and the recipients only listen to it and respond accordingly. Such communication is also called Simplex communication system.

4. Half Duplex Communication System

   In half Duplex communication system, both the two parties can’t communicate simultaneously. The sender has to stop sending the signals to the recipient and then only the recipient can respond.
   A walkie talkie works on the half duplex communication system. The military personnel while interacting has to say “Over” for the other person to respond. He needs to speak the security code correctly for the other person to speak. The other party will never communicate unless and until the code is correct and complete.

5. Tactical Communication System

   Another mode of communication is the tactical mode of communication. In this mode of communication, communication varies according to the changes in the environmental conditions and other situations.

All the above modes of communication work for a common objective ie to transfer the information from one party to the other party. The various models of communication system help us to understand the route of flow of information from the sender to the recipients through some medium.