Barriers to Communication
The
factors which spoil the message to be conveyed in communication are called
barriers to communication. They are discussed as under.
1) Language/Linguistic
Barriers:
Language barrier is also called
‘semantic barrier’. Language is a means of communication. Many a times,
language itself becomes a barrier to communication in the following situation.
a) Lack of Common Language:
The
world is multi-lingual. The large countries like India are multi-lingual. If
the two persons whose languages are different and they do not understand each
other’s languages, it becomes difficult for them to communicate.
b) Vague Words:
In
any language, a word has many meanings. For example, the word ‘lot’ has the
meanings – fate, group and portion. Similarly, the word ‘discipline’ has many
meanings. ‘Regulation’ and ‘subject’ are commonly known by all. If the listener does not know all the
meanings of the word, he may take the meaning which the speaker did not intend.
The proper message cannot be conveyed to listener in such circumstances.
c) Para-linguistic Differences:
Pronunciation,
tone, accent and speed of speaking are called para-linguistic features. They
change according to location. If the two speakers of the language are from
different localities, they cannot understand each other properly.
d) Preciseness and Clarity:
If
the speaker does not use short and clear sentences, it becomes problematic for
the listener to understand him properly. A sentence may have more than one
meaning and, moreover, one of meanings may be ridiculous. For example, the
sentence- ‘She made omelet of her husband’ has two meanings. The first is –
‘She made omelet for her husband’ and its ridiculous meaning is ‘She made
omelet out of her husband’.
2) Mechanical/Physical
Barriers:
The
external factors which disturb the process of communication and spoil the
message to be conveyed are called Mechanical/Physical barriers. Following are
the major physical barriers.
a) Noise:
The
word ‘noise’ means interference that occurs in a signal or conversation and
prevents one from hearing and understanding sounds properly. It is any
interference that takes place between speaker and listener.
b) Geographical Distance:
The distance between speaker and listener matters
much in communication. If the listener is much away from the speaker, he cannot
listen to the speaker clearly. As a result, the message to be conveyed is not
received by the speaker properly.
c) Time:
The time in India is not the same in America.
When there is day in India, there is night in America. Therefore, time also
becomes an obstacle in the process of communication.
d) Faulty Technological Tools:
If
the sound system used for the speaker is faulty, it disturbs the process of
communication.
3)
Psychological Barriers :
Human
behavior is controlled by his ‘psyche’. His psyche is shaped by his social and
cultural background and his experience and maturity. This psyche plays a very
crucial role in communication. The major psychological barriers to communication
are –
a) Prejudice :
If
the listener is prejudiced about the speaker, he may not believe in what the
speaker says/speaks. The listener may pass negative remarks about the speaker
and his speaking which may spoil the message to be conveyed.
b) Attitude :
If
the listener has negative attitude about the speaker and the subject, he may
not receive the message properly. The frequent use of the words like ‘I, me, my
and mine’ may create negative image of the speaker and obstruct the process of
communication.
c) Closed
Mindset :
Many
people do not like to accept change. They resist change. If the speaker is
speaking about the innovative ideas, they close their mind and do no listen to
the speaker. It leads to miscommunication.
4) Social Barriers:
A
human being is a social animal. He lives in the society. Sometimes, some social
factors also cause for miscommunication. They are discussed as follows.
a) Conflict Between Two
Communities:
Society
is made up of many communities. Sometimes, conflicts arise between the two
communities living in the same town/village. The attitudes of the members of
the two communities become negative about one another. It affects the
communication process. It leads to miscommunication.
b) Relationship:
If
the relationship between the sender and receiver of the message is not good, it
may spoil the message and in this way may lead to miscommunication. Generally,
women feel it safer to speak with the known person than unknown person.
c) Age and Gender:
Age
counts much in communication. Generally, people like to communicate frankly
with the people of their age group. There is an unknown fear about the senior
person in the mind of junior person. The senior persons do not listen to the
junior one carefully. They consider him less experienced. It may lead to
miscommunication.
4) Cross-cultural Barriers:
Culture is very important in
human life. Every culture has some norms, values and customs. In today’s world
of globalization many cultural factors become barriers to communication.
a) Norms, Customs and Values:
Every
culture has its norms, values and customs. Sometimes, they obstruct the process
of communication. In some cultures people greet each other by kissing on cheek
or by hugging each other. But in some cultures kissing on cheek of an alien man
is prohibited. Thus, this custom may become barrier to communication. It may
lead to misunderstanding and as a result may lead to miscommunication.
b) Religion:
Religion is product of culture. Religions
have their own traditions and customs. They may obstruct the process of
communication. For example, Muslim religion has purdah system. A woman has to
hide her face in front of a strange man. This may spoil the communication
process.
