Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda

Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication, 3130004)

Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _ SubUnit-1.1
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

• Definition of Communication

• Communication is the act of conveying meanings from one entity or group to another
through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules.

• It is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, emotions, messages between sender and

receiver through accepted codes of symbols.

• Characteristics of communications are given below:

(1) Two or More Persons:

(2) Exchange of Ideas:

(3) Mutual Understanding:

(4) Direct and Indirect Communication:

(5) Continuous Process:

(6) Use of Words as well as Symbols:

• Process of Communication
 Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda
Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication, 3130004)
Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _ SubUnit-1.2
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

 Verbal/Non-verbal communication
◦ Verbal
◦ Non-verbal
 Kinesics
 Proxemics
 Chronemics
 Paralinguistics
 Kinesics
◦ Gestures
◦ Postures
◦ Body Movements
◦ Facial Expressions
◦ Eye Contact
◦ Personal Appearance
 Proxemics
◦ Public Distance (12-25 feet or farther)
◦ Social Distance (4-12 feet)
◦ Personal Distance (1.5-4 feet)
◦ Intimate Distance (touching- 1.5 feet)
 Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda
Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication, 3130004)
Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _ SubUnit-1.3
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

 Chronemics
 Chronemics is the study of how time is used in communication. Time can be used
as a communication tool in many ways, from punctuality to expectations around
waiting and response time, to general principles around time management.
 Why
 The way we perceive time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful
communication tool, and helps set the stage for the communication process.
Across cultures, time perception plays a large role in the nonverbal
communication process.
 Examples
 For example in most countries it would a norm for a boss to be late for a meeting
but not for the subordinates. ...
 How
 Time is used as a message system, including punctuality, amount of time spent
with another, and waiting time. ...
 Appearance
 Personal appearance aids to communicate your ideas because clothing
is communication. ... Your outward appearance sends messages to the audience
that you are ready, neat, well groomed, and conscious of your image and that you
regard the occasion as important enough for you to spend extra time and money
to look presentable
 What it conveys
 Appropriate physical appearances send various messages to the audience: respect,
regard, appreciation, sincerity, engaging attitude and issue involvement
 In Sum
 Physical appearance involves speaker’s gestures, postures, gait, hand movements,
body language, and clothing, hairdo or hairstyles, time management, before and
during and after the speaking event, management of physical disruptions and
failures in the speaking arena, emotional maturity toward audience outbursts,
protests, and disruptions in the speech event, and all other elements that make up
the physical presence of both the audience and the speaker.
 Questions and Assignments
 Why are some people always on time?
 Does physical appearance communicate? How?
Vishwakarma Government Engineering College,
Chandkheda
Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication,
3130004)
Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _
SubUnit-1.4
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

 Origin
 From Greek and Latin, "beside" +
"language"
 Par-a-lan-guage
 Paralanguage includes accent,
pitch, volume, speech rate,
modulation, and fluency.
As the "neglected stepchild" in
language studies
 Now the scenario is different
 How to Improve
 Step 1: Watch yourself . . . and
others. When communicating,
focus on the use of your body. .
 Step 2: Maintain eye contact. ...
 Step 3: Work on your posture. ...
 Step 4: Straighten your desk. ...
 Step 5: Read your audience. ...
 Step 6: Listen to your voice. ...
 Step 7: Question yourself.
(https://playbook.amanet.org/7-steps-improving-
non-verbal-communication/)

Keep learning.

https://visme.co/blog/what-is-paralanguage/
 Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda
Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication, 3130004)
Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _ SubUnit-1.5
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

Common Barriers to Effective Communication:

 The use of jargon. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms.
 Emotional barriers and taboos. Some people may find it difficult to express their emotions and
some topics may be completely 'off-limits' or taboo. Taboo or difficult topics may include, but
are not limited to, politics, religion, disabilities (mental and physical), sexuality and sex, racism
and any opinion that may be seen as unpopular.
 Lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver. (See our page Barriers to
Effective Listening for more information).
 Differences in perception and viewpoint.
 Physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties.
 Physical barriers to non-verbal communication. Not being able to see the non-verbal cues,
gestures, posture and general body language can make communication less effective. Phone
calls, text messages and other communication methods that rely on technology are often less
effective than face-to-face communication.
 Language differences and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents.
 Expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping. People often
hear what they expect to hear rather than what is actually said and jump to incorrect
conclusions. Our page The Ladder of Inference explains this in more detail.
 Cultural differences. The norms of social interaction vary greatly in different cultures, as do
the way in which emotions are expressed. For example, the concept of personal space varies
between cultures and between different social settings. See our page on Intercultural
Awareness for more information.
 Barriers to Communication
o Physical Barriers. o Language Barriers. ... Cultural Barriers. ...
o Psychological Barriers. o Interpersonal Barriers.
 Barriers to Communication
o The use of jargon. Over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms.
o Lack of attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver.
o Differences in perception and viewpoint.
o Physical disabilities such as hearing problems or speech difficulties.
o Language differences and the difficulty in understanding unfamiliar accents.
o People often hear what they expect to hear rather than what is actually said and jump to
incorrect conclusions.
 Flow of Communication  Levels of Communication
o Upward Communication o Inter personal Communication
o Downward Communication o Intra personal Communication
o Lateral (Horizontal) Communication o Extra personal Communication
o Diagonal (Crosswise) Communication o Institutional Communication
o Grapevine Communication o Mass Communication
 Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda
Sem-3 (Effective Technical Communication, 3130004)
Unit : 1 Fundamentals of Communication _ SubUnit-1.6
Faculty : Dr Vaseem G Qureshi

7 C’s of Communication
o Clarity, Conciseness, Courtesy, Correctness, Completeness, Consideration, Co-ordination
 Cross Cultural Communication

 Cross-cultural communication is a field of study that looks at how people from

differing cultural backgrounds communicate, in similar and different ways among
themselves, and how they endeavour to communicate across cultures. Intercultural
communication is a related field of study.

Cross-cultural competence refers to the knowledge, skills, and affect/motivation that enable
individuals to adapt effectively in cross-cultural environments

 The five fundamentals of effective cross-cultural communication

 Awareness. It all starts with this: being aware that different countries have different ways
and times of doing things. ...
 Preparation. Before you meet your foreign colleague, take the time to do read up on their
country's rituals and etiquette. ...
 Language. One of culture's main expressions is language. ...
 Humour. ...
 Openness.