COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Module 3: Speaking and WritingContexts of Communication

What is in the centre of the diagram below?

• The centre of the diagram can be seen as the letter “B” if the diagram is looked at from left to right.

• But it can also be seen as the number 13 if the diagram is looked at from top down.

• Thus, our interpretation of the centre figure depends on the numbers/letters which surround it. It depends therefore on the context.

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll(Taken from Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found

There)

Jabberwocky

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"

Use the words surrounding the nonsensical expressions to figure out what a Jabberwock is.

What is Context?

• The word “context” refers to the circumstances in which a situation takes place.

• The context of communication is the setting in which the communication process takes place.

• Communication derives much of its meaning from the context it takes place in.

For me context is the key - from that comes the understanding of everything.

Kenneth Noland

The Communication Process

Message(Medim/Channel

Receiver

Feedback

Sender

Communication does not take place in a vacuum

Message(Medim/Channel

Receiver

Feedback

Sender

Context may involve:• A physical location• A relationship• A time period• A time of day• Cultural norms and expectations

Contexts of Communication

There are 7 major contexts of communication:1) Intrapersonal2) Interpersonal3) Small Group4) Academic5) Organizational6) Public7) Intercultural

Intrapersonal Communication

• In intrapersonal communication, the sender is involved in communication with himself/herself internally.

Examples:• Thinking• Daydreaming• Imagining• Meditation

Interpersonal Communication

• In interpersonal communication, communication takes place between or among two or more persons on a personal level.

Examples• Conversations • Interviews

Small Group Communication

• In this context, communication takes place among a small number of people (ideally 4-6 persons).

• Communication in this context is categorized by equal sharing of ideas and a common goal.

Examples• Small meetings• Casual gatherings

Academic Communication

• This involves an academic situation or forum and the purpose of communication is related to academic matters.

Examples• Teaching• Lectures• Essays

Organizational Communication

• This area involves communication within a formal, complex and multi-group setting.

• Involves working to achieve individual or collective goals.

Examples: • Meetings

Public Communication

• Communication which takes place amidst a public forum

Examples• Political rallies• Public announcements• Newspaper articiles• Advertising through

mass media

Intercultural Communication

• In this context, there is the transmission of messages across senders and receivers of different cultural backgrounds.

Examples• Global conferences• UN meetings• Tour guiding

The Affect of Context on the Communication Process

• The conceptualization and encoding of the message

• The selection of medium/channel• The expectations of the persons involved in the

communication process• The disposition of the receiver and its effect on

their decoding and interpretation of the message.