Being an ardent advocate of good communications, one line in a recent Hindi film, really struck a chord with me. “The medium is not important. Water remains the same, whether served in steel or glass.” This got me thinking that there is so much emphasis on language, maybe we forget whether the message is being conveyed or not. Language is a means to an end and not the end, which is communication. Let us not get lost in a maze of words that the message is lost.
In many cases, the words “language” and “communication” are used interchangeably. We use either or both of them to mean speaking person to person. However, there is a distinct dichotomy between the two terms— language vs. communication. They are not the same thing. And yet, they work together.
In a very real sense, every living thing communicates in some way. Fish jump, sometimes for sheer joy. Birds chirp to communicate. Dogs bark, cats meow, cows moo. Babies have their own way of communication, they don’t know any language, yet they manage to get their message across very well. These noises or other interactions communicate, or transfer information of some kind. And yet, that is not language communication.
Language is the highest form of intelligent interaction. Language is a distinctly human activity that aids in the transmission of feelings and thoughts from one person to another. It is how we express what we think or feel—through sounds and/or symbols (spoken or written words), signs, posture, and gestures that convey a certain meaning.
Among people, language is the primary means of communication. It is through language communication, spoken or written, that we are able to share our ideas, opinions, views, and emotions with another person. The purpose of language is making sense of complex and abstract thought. Various languages are used by people residing in different areas or belonging to different communities.
Where language is a tool, communication is an experience.
Communication is described as, “an act of interchanging ideas, information, or messages from one person or place to another, via words or signs which are understood to both parties.” It’s a crucial activity for any group of beings, because it is the means by which members of the group cooperate together.
Communication is necessary for any group to function effectively. It is, at its core, a two-way activity, consisting of seven major elements: sender, message, encoding, channel, receiver, decoding, and feedback. A message is encoded then sent from one individual (sender) to another (receiver), through a channel. That message is then decoded and given feedback, if communicated effectively.
Today, there are a variety of communication channels available: face-to-face, phone calls, emails, social media platforms, brochures, advertisements, television, signs, fliers, reports and more. Feedback is essential, for it is then that the process of communication comes full circle. The process of communication affects all sensory channels, as it can occur in a variety of ways.
Below are the primary differences between language and communication. Note the relationship between the two, regardless of differences.
Language is a system of communication that relies on verbal or non-verbal codes to transfer information. Communication is a way of interchanging messages or information between two or more people, focusing on the message. Language is a tool of communication. Communication is a process of transferring messages. The basics of communication do not change. However, new words are added to the dictionary of language almost daily.
Communicating with others is a basic human need. Healthy living involves interacting and engaging with others. Overall, communication has a wider scope than language, as communication encompasses language. Language allows us to communicate in a variety of ways, but it is only one set of tools in the larger scheme. Besides language, the communication tool set comprises things like empathy, knowledge, body language, facial expressions, and intonation.
Relationships thrive through communication, regardless of the shared language.
“I think for any relationship to be successful, there needs to be loving communication, appreciation, and understanding,” says Miranda Kerr.
So let’s communicate and use all the words in the languages we know to convey our message. Great communication begins with connection, says Oprah so wisely.
