The
Meaning of Communication
Communication is an ever continuing process and
an integral part of the world of all living things. The
need for communication is as basic as the hunger for food and drink, perhaps
even more so. It is an individual as well as a social need.
Derived form the Latin word communis ,
meaning common, communication is a synonym for interchange, dialogue,
sharing, interaction or communion. It is the
passing of meaningful messages and the receiving of feedback. The
Encyclopedia Britannica defines communication as ‘the exchange of
meaning between individuals or groups through a common system of symbols or
language’.
Denis McQuail (“Towards
a Sociology of Mass Communication, 1975) sees ‘human
communication’ as the sending of meaningful messages from one person to
another. These messages could be oral or written,
visual or olfactory. He also includes laws,
practices, customs, ways of dressing, gestures, military parades and flags as
methods of communication.
Human communication went through different
stages of development. At first this development was driven by the process of
mankind’s evolution from the lower species, later it was driven by technological
human progress.
Historical Survey of Communication:
The Age of Signs and
Signals
The Age of Speech and
Language
The Age of Writing
The Age of Printing
The Mass Communication
Age
The Age of Information
Revolution
1.
The Age of Signs and Signals
Prehistoric humans were physically
unable to talk. Communication was limited and determined by instincts. It was
the age of signs and signals - drum messages, smoke signals, music, dance etc.
2. The Age of Speech and Language
Man’s first achievement was speech and language.
It gave him an eminent position over others. Growth
of different languages gave birth to different expressions that denoted
distinctions within communities. Certain languages
acquired the traits of others, e.g., the language of conquerors was absorbed
into the local dialect. This then became the language of administration and
commerce.
3. The Age of Writing
About 5,000 years ago, hieroglyphic writing was
developed by the Mayans and the Chinese. They used pictures with a standardized
meaning. The Sumerians developed a different form
of writing that represented sounds by symbols. This
allowed information to be stored and for traditions to be passed on in writing.
Clay, stone and later papyrus were developed and used as portable media.
Writing gave permanence to the spoken language. Writing was slow to develop
because the clergy, who were the seats of power, wanted it to be their sole
privilege.
4. The Age of Print
In the 1st century A.D, China invented paper. In the 8th century the Arab world began to
manufacture paper. In the 15th century, the
Gutenberg press was invented and printing began in Europe. As a consequence,
information could be copied much faster and with far fewer mistakes than
before. Availability of information was no longer restricted to the Roman
Church and to nobility, but open to a wider section of European societies. This
was the basis for further historical development that culminated in the
Thirty-Years-War. Books were followed by the
development of pamphlets and then newspapers in the 17th century. Some
newspapers began to be edited by the then subjugated Asians and Africans in
spite of severe opposition. Revolutionary journals began to see the light of
day and enjoyed wide readership.
5. The Mass Communication Age
In the 19th century, communication was
determined by several media forms. Print media,
especially newspapers, were supplemented by telegraph and telephone. The introduction of radio, film and television in the
20th century saw the emergence of the Mass Communication era.
6.
The Age of Information Revolution
At present, we are living amidst an information revolution. Integrated multimedia applications are now possible
due to networks established from the development of digital communication technology.
Hypertext structures form the basis for
communication and navigation within the system.
CONCLUSIONS
Communication gives people a sense of belonging
and reduces loneliness and frustration by helping people adapt to their
environment.
