Week3 Oral Comm Handouts 3
Week3 Oral Comm Handouts 3
WEEK 3
Oral Communication
Lesson 3: Communication Breakdown
The elements involved in communication are important in the success or failure of this process. These very same
elements (sender, message, receiver, feedback, etc) can pose a threat to the efficiency or effectiveness of the process.
Communication breakdown may occur when problems in any of the elements involved arise. They become barriers to
communication.
➢ Communication Breakdown results when the intended message of the sender is not understood exactly by the
receiver. Barriers to communication are present.
Barriers to Communication
Physical Barriers are the natural or environmental condition that act as a barrier in communication in sending the
message from sender to receiver.
Examples:
1. People talking too loud.
2. Noise from a construction site
3. Loud sound of a karaoke
4. Blaring of jeepney horns
Psychological Barriers are called as mental barriers. These refer to social and personal issues of a speaker towards
communicating with others. Examples:
1. trauma
2. shyness, lack of confidence
3. depression
4. fear, stage fright
Cultural Barriers pertain to communication problems encountered by people regarding their intrinsic values, beliefs,
and traditions in conflict with others. People’s culture affect the way they communicate and relate to others.
Examples:
1. different beliefs
2. traditions, and customs
3. manners of dressing
4. speaking
Verderber (1991) gives a similar idea of barrier when he classifies noise into three kinds: External, Internal and Semantic
noise.
Linguistic Barriers pertain conflicts with regard to language and word meanings. Because words carry denotative and
connotative meanings, they can sometimes cause confusion and misunderstanding. Meaning of words and symbols
also vary depending on culture.
Examples:
1. difference in language
2. accent and dialect
3. use of jargon and slang
4. speech defects or language impairments
External Noises are the “sight, sound and other stimuli that draw people’s attention away from intended meaning.”
Examples:
1. noise from vehicles
2. singing at the neighborhood
3. visual aids in front of the classroom
4. the dog barking
5. the sound of airplane
Internal noises are the “thoughts and feelings that interfere with meaning.”
Examples:
1. confrontation with a friend
2. fear of speaking in front of the class.
3. racial prejudice
Semantic noises are the “alternate meanings aroused by a speaker’s symbols.” This idea means that a word may have
another meaning in the minds of the students. This is affected by the language in which they grew and the culture in
which they are exposed.
Examples:
1. incorrect grammar
2. using excessive technical jargon
3. using idiomatic expressions
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Assessment:
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
For numbers 11-15, write T if the statement is TRUE and write F if it is FALSE.
Reference: Nacario, F., & Zotomayor, J. (2020). Communication Breakdown. Module in Communication in Context, p.28-36.
Department of Education
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