Language and communication are considered as two different instincts. Being different from each other still, both of them are related. Besides, they depend on each other. To clarify the difference between Language and communication, one must have comprehensive knowledge about both of these concepts.
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Firstly, Language is a tool that helps expressing and carrying the thoughts, feelings of two individuals. On the other hand, communication is a process of exchanging messages and information, either verbally or nonverbally.
However, it was just a definition. This blog post will discuss what Language is, what communication is, and the differences between Language and communication. Indeed, it will clear all your confusion.
Language and Communication- Explained with Definition:
1. What is Language?
In brief definition, Language is a medium that helps in the sending of thoughts and feelings of two individuals. Similarly, Language allows us to express our feelings and thoughts via sounds, symbols, written or spoken words, posture, gestures or signs, etc. Thus, we can continue communication through language.
Moreover, Language is the prime medium of communication. Above all, the primary purpose of a language is, making our challenging and complex thoughts easier. Without Language, it is impossible to create an effective conversation or communication. We know different countries have different languages to communicate. More than 4000 languages are available throughout the world.
Language represents a country’s culture. Certainly, Language is unique to our species because it is the only way to express our unparalleled ideas and customs within different cultures and societies. Generally, Language is primarily affected by personal, cultural, institutional, and organizational aims.
2. Short history of Language:
Before the invention of written words, firstly, Language was using the auditory means of transmission, through grunts, whistles, or drumbeats. In some cases, tactile or visual, like drawings, hand signals, fire, or smoke signals, were used as the medium of communication. Subsequently, over the years, we have seen language changes that ultimately change the communication process.
3. What is Communication?
According to the definition of Communication, it is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, and information from one person to another verbally or nonverbally. Media critic and theorist James Carey said about communication, ” Communication is a symbolic process whereby reality is produced, maintained, repaired and transformed.”
Communication takes nothing but 7 simple steps such as the sender, encoding process, Message, Channel, the receiver, Decoding process, Feedback. Likewise, Feedback is one of the most crucial parts of this process. Communication is not communication if there is no feedback. Above all, we can classify communication in five ways: i) Verbal, ii) Non-verbal, iii) Written/Text, iv) Listening/Audio and Visuals such as charts, graphs, etc.
Moreover, communication plays a vital role in the organization. Because of proper communication, organizational members can work with each other effectively. It flows in different directions, like upward, downward, horizontal, or diagonal.
Key Differences Between Language and Communication:
Language and communication are essential for an effective conversation. Indeed, all the Human beings in this world are communicating in their native languages. Language and communication are so closely intertwined that sometimes people cannot quickly diagnose their differences.
As a result, they think both of them have the same meaning. But, in reality, there exist some logical differences between Language and communication. Here we will discuss the worth mentionable difference in detail below.
1. Definition of Language and Communication:
Language is a medium of communication that helps us expressing and conveying our thoughts, feelings, and emotions of two individuals. Moreover, Language depends on verbal or non-verbal codes. In other words, Language is considered the prime tool of communication.
By definition, Communication is a process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, and information from one person to another verbally or nonverbally. In short, communication is an essential activity for an effective conversation. Moreover, Communication can be either formal or informal.
2. Process Vs. Tools:
Language is the medium or tool of communication. Language is like the blood circulation of communication. Because without Language, communication is impossible. Above all, Language is an important communication medium that conveys or exchanges emotions.
On the other hand, communication is a process of exchanging messages, information, and thoughts effectively. It has 7 steps universal approach. Every step of this process of communication is crucial. If you miss any of them, then communication will fail. Check out another interesting blog post on What is website Translation- a perfect guide.
3. Dynamic Vs. Static:
Over 3000 different languages exist in this world. Every day, a new word is replacing with an old word due to culture and other aspects. Moreover, some extra words are including in the dictionary also. So, we can say that Language is dynamic because of its day-to-day changes.
However, In communication, the process is universal and static. It does not matter how the language you are speaking, but you have to follow the same communication process that other language speakers do.
4. Focus of Language and Communication:
A language consists of signs, symbols, and words. These are the main elements of any language. So, in Language, signs, symbols, and words are the main focus points because they help a language understand everyone.
But, the main focus point of communication is the message. Moreover, we know that communication’s main activity. That’s why communication only focuses on the message.
5. Occurs:
Language primarily occurs in auditory channels. In the past, grunts, whistles, or drumbeats were the media of Language. Language can influence our auditory senses.
On the other hand, the process of communication occurs in all sensory channels. An effective communication process can influence all our senses. Check out another interesting topic on 6 Reasons Why Do Hospitals Need Interpreters?
6. Complexity:
Language has less complexity than communication. In Language, you don’t need to take any decision by considering complex situations and contexts. On the other hand, communication is a very complex process. Because there, you have to consider several types of variables like situations, different genres, etc.
That is to say, Language and communication are considered as car and road. Where communication is like a car and Language is like a road. You can drive the same car on different roads for traveling. Similarly, you can use the same communication process for different languages in terms of language and communication perspectives. But both are important for a perfect conversation, in the same way, car and road are also crucial for traveling.
Key Factors Affecting Language and communication:
Various kinds of channels are available for language and communication. They are face-to-face, phone calls, emails, social media platforms, brochures, advertisements, television, signs, reports, etc.
However, sometimes language and communication is a very complex process. You have to consider several types of variables like situations, different genres, medium and method of delivery, etc. Moreover, there are several key factors that you have to understand at the time of communicating and use language. So, check out the major factors below:
1. Context in Language and Communication:
Both sender and receiver must consider the context of the message. Without considering the context and situation, if a sender sends a message, this message will not be compelling. It may cause some problems.
2. Feedback:
After getting the sender’s message, in replay what the receiver says that we call feedback, feedback is the most important thing in communication. Generally, feedback comes from the receiver side. It can be both verbal and non-verbal. Body language, voice tone, expressions are the non-verbal feedback.
3. Channel in Language and Communication:
There are different kinds of channels available for communication. Like face-to-face, phone calls, emails, social media platforms, brochures, advertisements, television, signs, reports, etc. Meanwhile, you should select the best channel at the communication time, considering the context, urgency, and communication cost.
4. Understandable:
Communication must be understandable for both parties. If one party does not understand, there is no value in touch. For example, suppose you have sent a message to a Chinese party in your native Language as a Spanish speaker. But he does not understand your native language.
Now, would you think it is going to be perfect communication? No, because there is a lack of understanding. So, understanding is one of the essential parts of communication.
In that circumstances, different translation and interpreter services help you to send and receive an understandable message.
5. Emotional Awareness:
Human beings are emotional. They take the decision based on emotion. Moreover, we communicate to share our feelings. We can’t move a single step in the communication process without considering emotional awareness.
How can emotional awareness influence our communication? Suppose one person is in a bad mood. If you don’t understand his perspective and just speaking continuously, that may be made him more irritated. As a result, good communication does not happen. So, we should consider other’s moods before starting communication.
Summary:
After a long discussion, we can say there have some fundamental and logical differences between Language and communication that you can’t ignore. However, Language and communication are both interconnected with each other. For perfect human communication, we need language and dialect.
Because Language is a medium of communication, though Language can be different, certainly the communication process is universally the same. In short, Communication is a complex process because you have to consider many perspectives.
Feel free to call The Language Doctors (TLD) team for any queries regarding Translation and Interpretation Services. TLD is a trusted language service provider to meet all your language service demands.
