Posts in category: Communication

A sign language is a way of communication, often used instead of spoken language in Deaf communities. Such people with hearing loss use sign language to communicate with family and friends. 

A sign language conversation includes hand movements, hand shapes, facial expressions, and lip patterns in order to demonstrate what people want to say. 

Benefits of Sign Language 

Important for Deaf people- A sign language conversation is an extremely important communication tool for many deaf and hard-of-hearing people. 

More Expressive- This language isn’t just about the hands, it also includes the movement of a person’s arms, body, and facial expressions. 

Listening with your eyes- People who know a sign language are usually much better listeners. When a person uses sign language he must engage in constant eye contact with the other person who is speaking. 

Helps people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)- Some children with ASD struggle developing verbal communication. Sign language can be a helpful communication tool for those children.  

Having a private Communication in a public place- Sign languages can be a great way to gossip without anyone else knowing. One can pass confidential information in a public place. 

Different Forms of Sign Languages

Following are the popular forms of Sign Language used around the world:

• Japanese Sign Language (JSL)

JSL is very different than other sign languages. JSL uses mouthing to distinguish between signs and letters within the alphabet. It also uses more fingerspelling and the actual drawing of Japanese characters in the air. 

• Irish Sign Language (ISL)

ISL is mainly used in Northern Ireland and it is closely related to American sign languages and French sign language. ISL includes the alphabet that is signed using one hand. In the Deaf communities of Ireland, ISL has existed for hundreds of years. 

• Chinese Sign Language (CSL)

CSL’s signs are visual representations of written Chinese letters. People use a one-handed alphabet. This CLS language has been developing since the late 1950’s. The Chinese National Association of the Deaf is working hard to raise awareness and promote the use of the language throughout the country.

• British Sign Language (BSL)

BSL has many different dialects that can vary from territory to territory. BSL consists use of a two-handed alphabet. People living in England and Wales use BSL as their main form of communication. 

• Auslan (Australian Sign Language)

Auslan has two main dialects, Northern and Southern. Auslan involve different signs for things such as animals, colors, and days of the week, however, the grammatical structure is the same across dialects. It is closely related to British Sign Language (BSL) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). 

Those who are not disabled by the physic can also learn this wonderful, expressive language!

Types of Nonverbal Communication

The nonverbal way is the most commonly used in the conversation. Nonverbal communication includes body language and without using oral or written words. Nonverbal behaviors are all about zero formality, however, depending on the situation. 

To express feelings or to convey a message, instead of written or oral words, it relies on various non-verbal cues such as physical movements, tasks, signs, symbols, signals, etc. Nonverbal communication and body language can effectively communicate many human feelings more accurately than verbal methods of communication. 

Importance of Nonverbal Communication 

It plays an important role in expressing the inner meaning of the message in face-to-face conversations and interviews.

Conveys attitudes, feelings, and thoughts regarding the message speaker and listener. 

Nonverbal communication can effectively express many true messages more accurately than those of any other method of communication. 

It greatly helps in communicating with handicapped people. 

Communicating with illiterate people through written media is impossible. In such a situation, non-verbal methods like pictures, signs, and symbols are the best media to communicate. 

Sign and symbol can also communicate some messages very quickly than writers or oral media. 

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Facial Expressions

Facial expressions help to convey countless emotions without saying a word. The nonverbal communication facial expressions include expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust. 

Body Movement and Posture

The way someone moves and carries their self communicates a wealth of information to the world. This nonverbal communication type involves postures, bearing, pose, and the fine movements you make.  

Gestures

Gestures involve the movements of the arms, legs, hand, and head that sometimes we use without thinking. The meaning of some gestures can be very different across cultures, so, it’s important to be careful of how you use gestures. 

Eye Contact

Eye contact is one of the important types of nonverbal communication. Eye contact communicates many things, including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction. It is also important in managing the flow of conversation and for a person’s interest and response. 

Touch 

Touch is a widely used form of other non-verbal communication cues. Touch could be a weak handshake, a warm hug, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on the arm. However, the accepted modes of touch differ depending on the gender, age, relative status, and cultural background of the person. 

Space

Space and distance are important nonverbal tools in the case of organizational communication. Physical space and distance varies depending on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. There should be an understanding of comfortable and uncomfortable situation during a conversation. 

Nonverbal communication is very helpful to convey messages or thoughts just you need to understand where to use it and how to use it. 

Technical communication is a way of transfer services, products, systems, or processes to targeted audiences. It is the process of reporting information about a technical subject regardless of it being in a written or an oral form. Technical communication concepts provide the reader or listener with instructions on how to implement a specific task. The tasks contain information on installation, configuration and then usage and customization of a product. 

This type of communication may include software and medical instructions, functional specifications, training programs, and other services. 

Importance of Technical Communication

 A technical communication is a major component of the work environment. Through technical correspondence, employees maintain good customer-client relations. Make sure that work is accomplished on time through directive memos or e-mails. Generate documentation in the form of progress reports that work has been completed.

Maintain user manuals and make sure that correct equipment is purchased with the help of technical description. Technical communications also are done at the time of getting a job in the form of resumes. One can define terminology by online help screens. Internet web sites and blogs are also a technical communication medium to inform the world about a company’s products and services.  

Technical Communication Skills 

Listening Skills

Listening skills are one of the most important language skills that everyone needs in order to be successful in academic and professional activities. There are 3 categories under the technical listening skills

1. General- This category involves casual conversation, formal conversation, social interaction, public speeches, announcements, radio, television programs, and news reports.
2. Academic- This category involves listening to lectures, tutorials and practicals, seminars and workshops, technical presentations, academic discussions, academic interactions, and viva voce.
3. Professional- This category involves professional interactions, meetings, conferences, interviews, professional discussions, professional presentations, teleconferencing, and videoconferencing. 

Speaking Skills 

For professional survival and growth, speaking skills are also important for a person. Speaking skills involve effective oral communication skills in several formal communicative situations. It not only makes professional interactions, but it also develops information and understanding essential for decision making in meetings, conferences, etc. One should be able to use it fluently, effectively and confidently, as oral communication is a tool of professional and business interaction. 

Oral communication include 3 categories:

1. General- This category involves casual conversation, formal conversation, social interaction, public speeches, small talks on local topics, negotiation meanings in social situations, and conversation tasks in a given social environment.
2. Academic- This category involves listening during lectures, tutorials and practical, seminars and workshops, technical presentations, academic discussions, academic interactions, viva voce, oral interactions, and oral reports. 
3. Professional- This category involves professional interactions, oral reports, oral presentations, group discussions/ meetings, conferences, workshops, interviews, professional discussions, teleconferencing, and videoconferencing.

Writing Skills

Technical writing is so important for students of all kinds and professionals in all fields. Both need excellent writing skills to survive and excel in their field. There are 3 categories of technical writing skills. 

1. General- This category involves personal letters, personal e-mail messages, notes, comments, and general articles
2. Academic- This category involves examination answers, project reports, lab reports, synopsis, thesis, dissertations, abstracts, research papers, scientific articles, classroom notes, and lecture notes. 
3. Professional- This category involve technical reports, industrial reports, project proposals, business proposals, business letters, electronic mailing, memos, notices, agenda, Minutes, technical abstracts, job applications, and resumes. 

With the growing technology in the industry, technical communication is a must.  

Ways to Communicate Effectively With Your Team

In recent years, the modern environment of the office has changed a lot. With modern environment employee’s demands, expectations, policies, norms, rules, and working culture are all so different. The successful projects depend on a team, it should be strong and it can be strong only if there are effective communication strategies. So in recent times, the importance of flawless frequent communication has grown quite a lot. 

The changing working environment is bringing a change in the workplace by making a focus on communication very essential. So it is becoming important for team members to clearly know what their fellow team members are up to. And how their abilities and skills carry forward the project. 

Followings are the Ways to Communicated Effectively with Your Team

• Having One-on-One Interaction

Successful teams are made of team members who are excellent in their interactions. While talking with experts or fellow team members take them aside and talk to them on a one-on-one basis and maintain eye contact with them to enable the message to sink in. 

• Open Meeting 

Due to open meetings, it gets easier to communicate your passion and how you feel to the team. Open meetings help to not only hear but also see and feel it.  

• Encourage Two-way Feedback 

To strengthen progress towards company goals, feedback is important to generate results. Just giving feedback to team members is not a correct way, they also get the opportunity to give feedback on the same. Because every person has a different point of view to make the project successful. 

• Show Appreciation 

Whenever it needed to tell employees, coworkers, and colleagues about how much one cares and respects them. Always congratulate then for great ideas, thank team members to finish a task and express gratitude even for small acts so they can work with the more energy. 

• Communicate while Training 

Training should convey effectively and in excellent information to team members, because most of the employees take training seriously, especially when it’s part of their appraisal. 

• Show Confidence and Seriousness

Always show confidence and seriousness to ensure that you will not be taken for granted. Lack of seriousness makes team members feel communication is wrathless. 

• Use Body Language

Body language always pass message faster and better. So use body language like smile, handshakes, and eye contact while communicating with the team. 

• Listen to Team Members

Communication involves both speaking and listening, so don’t just speak, listen to the team members. It will encourage them to open up and get the idea to be well guided when communicating in the future. 

• Use Appropriate Tone of Voice

Ensure the use of tone of voice is appropriate because one work can mean a different thing when said in a different tone of voice. 

• Avoid Unnecessary Repetition

Never sound like a broken record, if you want team members to take you seriously. Always tell team members what you want them to know or do and ask them if they are clear about it. 

Effective team communication is important for career growth, so try to communicate effectively with team members. 

Communication Barriers

Communication is a way of transforming thoughts and messages from one person to another. The meaning between the lines of the message must be well-perceived by the receiver. 

When the message of the conversation doesn’t convey in the proper manner it called communication barrier. A communication barrier is anything that prevents from understanding the messages used by others to convey their information, ideas, and thoughts. These barriers can be related to the message, related to internal barriers, or external barriers. 

Types of Barriers to Communication

• Language Barriers

A language barrier is a major barrier to communication. Language is the most commonly used tool of communication. When the dialects of every two regions changes within a few kilometers, a language barrier happens. 

• Psychological Barriers

Psychological issues may be caused by effective communication. It occurs when a person has stage fear, speech, disorders, phobia, depression, etc. These conditions are very difficult to manage the ease of communication. 

• Physical barriers

The physical barrier in communication is the environmental and natural conditions that act as a barrier between the sender and receiver. It involves organizational environment or interior workspace design problems, technological problems, and noise. 

• Attitude Barriers

Some people like to be left alone or just not very social. Some like to be social or sometimes extra clingy. And some have attitude issues, like ego and inconsiderate behavior.  These cases could become a barrier to communication. 

• Perception Barriers

Various people perceive the same things differently. Due to this knowledge of the perception levels of the audience is critical to effective communication. 

• Technological Barriers

As technology is growing fast and as a result, it becomes difficult to be updated with the newest developments, interaction through technology have created a barrier in communication. 

Overcoming on Barriers

• Active Listening

Active listening is a skill that can be obtained and developed with practice. It means fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just hearing the message. 

It is important that the listener is also seen to be listening, or else the speaker may conclude that what they are talking about is uninteresting to the listener. It could be both verbal and non-verbal cues that convey active listening. Non-verbal signs include smiling, making eye contact, nodding at appropriate times, and avoiding distractions. 

• Use Simple Language

Use language that can be easily understood and use language as per the audience that you are speaking to. Don’t use jargon when speaking to clients and their families. Difficult words or using jargon may make people afraid to admit that they don’t understand the message being delivered. 

• Give Constructive Feedback

Feedback is a part of the communication. In communication, the feedback given by the speaker or sender may be negative, but it is important that it be constructive in nature. Giving feedback will strengthen the interpersonal relationship, and enhance future communication. 

Anyone can have any type of communication barrier, just try to overcome it. 

What is Interpreting?

Interpreting is a translation activity in which one person produces conversation in one language and it get translate into other language or in a source language. Interpreting done by the person called Interpreter, who translates words from one language to another and from one person to another. 

Interpreting can happen in oral or sign-language communication, it could be simultaneously or consecutively. Interpreting is important to avoid confusion. 

Who is a Language Interpreter?

The role of a language interpreter is to translate different languages from one person to another and one language to another language. They translate a thought or expression in a source language into an expression with a corresponding meaning in a target language. They translate it simultaneously in real-time or consecutively after one party has finished speaking. 

An interpret conveys every meaningful element, intention, and feelings behind the message that the source-language speaker is directing to target-language recipients. 

Why we need Interpreter?

Instead, of communicating with a person who only speaks his native language and the individual is not knowing that language, it just creates a big mess in the conversation. Here both of them don’t understand the thoughts of each other. In this kind of situation, they need an interpreter who knows the languages in which they want to communicate. 

Interpreter listen to a speaker in one language, grasp the content of what is being said, and then rephrase his or her understanding of the meaning using the tools of the target language.

What does a Language Interpreter Do?

Interpreters facilitate effective conversation between clients in the following setting:

• They interpret in large conferences and formal meetings.
• Facilitate business functions such as smaller meetings, exhibitions, and product languages. 
• They also work in criminal justice proceedings, known as public service interpreting or PSI. Includes police and probation service interviews, court hearings, and solicitor interviews. 
• Also work for community-based events and assignments within the education, health and social services sectors. 

Typical Work Activities of Interpreter:

• They work in person, whether in the same room or from a nearby conference booth.
• If an interpreter is in a different location from the speakers, they work by telephone. 
• Sometimes they work via video conferencing and internet-based technologies.

Language Interpreter Qualification

To become a language interpreter need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. They must require to have native-level proficiency in English and at least one other language. 

An interpreter should have a language interpreter experience. 

Language Interpreter Skills

The key skill for any interpreter is they must be able to understand the source language and the culture of the country. 

Need to have knowledge of different languages of different countries. 

They need to use a good library of dictionaries and reference materials, to render that material clearly and accurately into the target language. 

Able to write well in the target language.

Must have extraordinary listening abilities. 

Excellent memorizing skills.

Interpret something without mastery of the subject matter is not possible, so an interpreter is required to interpret languages.

Communications is a way of conveying thoughts, information, emotion and ideas through gesture, voice, symbols, signs, and expressions. It is the process of sending and receiving messages and exchange of meanings. To create a communication it requires three elements that is the sender a medium and a receiver. 

There are different types of communication:

1. Verbal 
2. Nonverbal 
3. Written 
4. Visual 

Verbal Communication

In verbal communication, language is used to transfer information through speaking. It occurs when we engage in speaking with others. Verbal communication is one of the most common types. We often use it during the presentation, video conference and phone calls, meetings and in-person conversations. It is efficient and important to communicate. 

Verbal communication has two types: Informal communication and Formal communication

Formal communication is verbal communication through pre-defined channels set by organizations. These pre-defined channels conveyed from top leadership to various departments to lower-level employees. For example scheduled meetings.

Informal communication is not backed by any pre-defined channels. It can happen anywhere within the organization. For example, it can happen while chatting with a friend on coffee or in the office kitchen.

Nonverbal Communication

In nonverbal communication include body language, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions to convey information to others. This type of communication can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. It is helpful when trying to understand others’ thoughts and feelings. 

For example, you are communicating with your boss and it is important to pay attention to both the words and non-verbal communications. Here your boss might be in agreement with your idea verbally, but his nonverbal cues such as avoiding eye contact scrunched up face, etc. indicate something different.

Written Communication

Written communication is the act of writing, typing or printing using symbols like letters and numbers to convey information. This type of communication we use it for an email, a memo, a report, a Facebook post, a Tweet, a contract, etc. these forms of written communication are in a clear and concise manner, though that objective is often not achieved. 

We also use written communication to write books, pamphlets, blogs, letters, memos, and more. Here poor writing skills often lead to confusion and embarrassment. In written communication, you need to remember that don’t use poorly constructed sentences because careless errors make you look bad and always ensure the content of the message is something you want to promote or explain. 

Visual Communication

In visual communication to convey information, we use photographs, art, drawings, sketches, charts, and graphs. Each and every people are different from each other and they have different learning styles, visual communication might be more helpful for some to consume ideas and information.

We use this type of communication during presentations, making the documentary, etc.