BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION

 The process of communication has multiple barriers. The intended communique will often be disturbed and distorted leading to a condition of misunderstanding and failure of communication.  Good communication takes place when it is understood properly by its:

• Context
• Meaning and 
• Message 

There can be certain factors that actually hinders the smooth process of communication which are as under:

1. Physical 
2. Linguistic, 
3. Psychological, 
4. Emotional, 
5. Socio-cultural etc. We will see all of these types in detail below.

Physical Barriers

They are the most obvious barriers to effective communication. These barriers are mostly easily removable in principle at least. 

They include barriers like:

• noise, 
• closed doors, 
• faulty equipment used for communication, 
• closed cabins, etc. 

Sometimes, if students in the class are not able to hear the teacher properly or the sitting arrangement is not adequate or there is no learning environment, proper communication would not take place.

Linguistic/ Language Barriers

The language barrier is one of the main barriers that limit effective communication. Language is the most commonly employed tool of communication. The fact that each major region has its own language is one of the Barriers to effective communication. for e,g. Teaching in English Medium/Hindi Medium, when the students are not exposed to that language

Sometimes even a thick dialect may render the communication ineffective. for e.g. Saying "yes, You are very Intelligent " may have different connotations according to the way it is spoken (it may be the statement of fact or satire).

Psychological Barriers

Psychological Barriers are also known as Internal Barriers as it is related to the individual. The individual may be either the sender or the receiver or both. The sender or receiver may be a single individual or a group of people. 

There are various mental and psychological issues that may be barriers to effective communication. Some people have 

• stage fear, 
• speech disorders, 
• phobia, 
• depression / emotional Blocks
• Lack of interest
• Personal Bias
• Need to Impress others etc. 

All of these conditions are very difficult to manage sometimes and will most certainly limit the ease of communication. 

Emotional Barriers 

The emotional state may influence your capacity to make yourself understood and hamper your understanding of others. Many times, emotional barriers on your part or the part of the person you are speaking which may inhibit your ability to communicate on an effective level.

FACTORS CAUSING EMOTIONAL BARRIER 

• Fear/ insecurity 

• Mistrust 

• Stress

Socio-Cultural barriers 

 A Sociocultural background of the sender or the receiver and the previous knowledge on the subject or lack of it is important background barriers to effective communications. A teacher coming from different cultural backgrounds and with different value system ( say an Englishman teaching in a village school in India) may not understand the value system of the students, which may create problems in communication.

Effective communication is a message that is understood as the communicator meant it to be understood.  In order to help ensure understanding, communicators need to understand and apply the 7 Cs of Effective Communication.  An effective communication should be:

 

1. Clear—main ideas easily identified and understood
2. Concise—gets to the point without using unneeded words or images
3. Concrete—includes specific examples or explanations
4. Correct—in information, word choice, and grammar
5. Coherent—information presented in a logical sequence
6. Complete—enough information so the audience can understand
7. Courteous—polite, professional tone