Unit One: Overview of the Speech Communication Process

Welcome to the Speech Communication Module. Speech Communication is an

integral part of our daily lives. From simple conversations, to scholastic or business
presentations, the mastery of Speech Communication will aid in our ability to convey
messages effectively. As we work on mastering this skill, it Is important to familiarize
ourselves with the theories and ideas behind it. This course will help us with that as we
cover the principles of speech and oral communication, which includes speaking and
listening, correct pronunciation and diction, and the appropriate use of the English
language in different communicative situations. This course will also focus on important
speech elements, and the principles of effective public speaking.

In Speech Communication, we give great importance to the acquisition and continuous

improvement of communicating effectively. This is why we have placed emphasis on the
necessary skills needed to achieve this, particularly in the delivery of public speeches,
and argumentation and debate. As we go through each chapter of this learning module,
we will learn how to harness your strengths and abilities, and how to work on your areas
for improvement.

Chapter One – Overview of the Speech Communication Process

The communication process can be simply defined as the exchange of information

between two parties: the sender and the receiver. Through this chapter, we will become
more aware of the basic components and the factors that come into play as we go
through the process of becoming an effective communicator.

Objectives

After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. Understand and confidently discuss the nature of the speech communication

process.
2. Explain the importance of communication.
3. Describe the functions of communication.
4. Identify the levels of communication.
5. Differentiate models of communication

The term communication stems from the Latin word communis, which means “to make
common.” From this definition, we gather that when we communicate, both the sender
and receiver share something in common (i.e. a shared interest, a common friend), or
aim to build something common between them.

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In its technical definition, communication is the process wherein a source/speaker

transmits a message through a channel to a destination/receiver. It aims to create an
effect and at the same time, provide an opportunity for feedback in the presence of
noise. Aside from these characteristics, it is important to note that communication also
occurs within a context.

Communication is a process in which people generate meanings (information, ideas,

feelings, and perceptions) through the use of symbols, as well as verbal and/or
nonverbal cues. It is done consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or unintentionally
within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media.

Aside from it being a process, communication is also dynamic and always changing
(reference). It allows communicators to be flexible and creative. It supports the kind of
changes likely to occur as we read, experience, and criticize; and the changes that
happen as we put into practice the ideas, theories, and knowledge we have learned.

Out of the many skills we have already acquired and developed, communication is one
of the most important that we use on a daily basis. It plays a crucial part in our personal
and professional lives, and its mastery will influence how effectively we live our lives
(Ang, 2009, DeVito, 1997).

Linguists and communication experts summarize the concept of communication as the

passing on of messages where meanings are created. Ang (2009), in her book Oral
Communication, shares with us the various definitions of it from different experts:

1. Ang (2004) defines communication as the “transmission of messages via verbal

and nonverbal cues.”
2. Wood (2004) describes it as a “dynamic, systematic or contextual, irreversible
and proactive process in which communicators construct personal meanings
through their symbolic interactions.”
3. Comeaux (1994) also reiterates that “communication is a transaction in which the
participants are mutually engaged in the process of creating meaning.”
4. Myers (1992) supports this by claiming that “communication is at the core of our
humanness and that it is a transactional process.”

Significance of Effective Communication

Human beings are constantly communicating. According to Ang (2009), we take on the
role of the speaker/sender 70% of the time, and the skills we employ involve both the
decoding and encoding of messages. Given this fact, there is a need to enhance our

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communication skills as this will help us become more dynamic, competent, and
effective.

Nowadays, there is a high demand for effective communicators in the work place.
Managers and human resource specialists look for prospective employees who are not
only academically qualified and personable, but also competent and has a good
command of the English language (other industries, such as BPO, would require an
applicant to have a neutral accent).

Generally, the most successful people in schools, offices, hospitals and other industries
are those who have excellent communication skills (Ang, 2009). Aside from this, the
ability to communicate effectively has been consistently ranked as the foremost
performance factor for professional success.

The key to becoming an effective communicator lies on our desire to reach out to and
be understood by others, and the ability to transmit our message as accurately as
possible

Functions of Communication

Why do we communicate? Why do we need to enhance our communication skills? Can

we survive without communicating? Could the human race have progressed in the field
of information technology without communication?

As life increases in its complexity, the need to communicate well becomes more crucial.
To illustrate this, let’s take a step back and reflect: do you have a major problem
bothering you now? Think to yourself, what is the reason for this problem? Does it stem
from lack of communication or maybe miscommunication? Unfortunately, many of us
will answer yes to the last question. Relationships have been strained because we are
not able to communicate properly with one another. That’s how essential effective
communication is in our lives.

So to answer the first question posed in this section, why do we communicate? Outlined
below are some of the reasons why we communicate:

1. To discover and understand oneself and others

2. To facilitate adjustment to the environment
3. To relate with others in the environment

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Activity 1.1

Write a short essay regarding the value and relevance of communication in your life. To
organize your piece, use the identified functions of communication, and utilize your own
experiences as examples for each.

Views on Communication

1. Communication connects People

As human beings, one of our most common needs is to relate and communicate to
others. Every day, we speak, listen, read, think and interpret nonverbal cues.
Without these abilities, we lose much of what makes us human. Joesting (1998)
emphasizes this point as he defines communication as “the way interpersonal
connections are created, enhanced, maintained and destroyed”.

2. Communication starts Relationships

We are all unique individuals with different personalities, backgrounds and needs. In
order for us to establish and maintain relationships with people different from us, we
must learn how to communicate. Being an effective communicator is important in
successfully starting and keeping any type of relationship.

Basic Functions of Communication

1. For interaction
2. For increasing store information
3. For better understanding of self and the world
4. For changing people’s attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and actions.
5. For making decisions

Levels of Communication

1. Intrapersonal communication

Intrapersonal communication is defined as the internal communication with oneself.

Through this type of communication, we are able to reflect and evaluate ourselves –
particularly our thoughts, personality, and ability to react and interact with others

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(Ang, 2009). Examples of intrapersonal communication are 1) debating with oneself

before making a decision; 2) rehearsing a message you intend to send to others; 3)
or reflecting on a situation you are in.

2. Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is described as our way of exchanging ideas, thoughts,

and feelings with another person. It is through this type of communication that we
establish, maintain, restore and end relationships. When we engage in interpersonal
communication, we learn about others through what they share with us; and we also
learn about ourselves through what we reveal to them (Ang, 2009).

3. Small group communication

Small group communication entails the sharing of ideas and information with 3 to 15
persons. Most of the time, this level of communication is used in order to come up
with a decision or solve problems (Ang, 2009).

4. Public communication

Public communication happens when a speaker addresses an audience with the

intention of informing, persuading, and/or entertaining (Ang, 2009).

5. Mass communication

Mass communication also has the same goals of public communication as it serves
to entertain, persuade and/or inform. The main difference of the two is that mass
communication is focused on reaching out to an extremely large audience, and is
usually mediated by audio and/or visual means. Examples of these media are
television, radio, newspapers, recordings, movies, magazines, comics, billboards,
computers, and the internet (ang, 2009).

Other Types of Communication

6. Communication Technology

Communication is done through the use of information technology (Ang, 2009).

7. Organizational Communication

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This is the type of communication that occurs within an organization (e.g. the work
place). It is reflective of the relationships between and among its members. The
purpose of organizational communication is to carry out the objectives and
purposes, and to define goal-directed behavior that will lead to efficiency and
effectiveness (Ang, 2009).

8. Intercultural Communication

This is the kind of communication that happens between and among cultural
communities and nations. The goal of Intercultural communication is to promote
understanding and goodwill (Ang, 2009).

9. Developmental Communication

Developmental Communication transpires between progressive nations and

developing societies of the world. The intent is to facilitate the total development of
individuals and nations (Ang, 2009).

Elements of Communication

Various elements make up the communication process. These are the factors needed
to come into play in order to achieve effective communication:

1. Senders-Receivers

The reason people start to communicate is to share information, ideas, and feelings.
In most common communication situations, we are considered to be both senders
and receivers – that is, we both send and receive messages at the same time. This
shows us that communication is not a one-way process.

Imagine a situation where you and a friend are discussing a problem. Your friend,
who is sharing his feelings, acts like the sender; while you, the listener, acts as the
receiver. Despite being the listener, you still have the opportunity to act as a sender
by showing nonverbal cues like nodding in agreement, touching his hand to show
empathy, or even leaning forward to show interest to what is being shared.

It is important to note that in effective communication, sender-receivers also share

meaning in the situation. Based on the example given, sharing the situation means

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communicating using the same language and having an understanding of the

problem being discussed.

2. Messages

The message is made up of the ideas and feelings that sender-receivers want to
share. It is usually represented by symbols, whether verbal or nonverbal, that helps
in the creation of the information being passed on.

Verbal symbols refer to the words of the language being used by the
communicators. It usually stands for a particular thing or idea; and has the tendency
to be limited and complicated. For example, the definition of the word chair, is limited
to “something we sit on,” but could also represent various types: a recliner, an easy
chair, a beanbag, a lawn chair. Abstract words, on the other hand, have the
tendency to be complicated as its definition can vary depending on the
communicators understanding of the word. Examples of which are home, hungry
and hurt.

Nonverbal symbols are communicated through our facial expressions, gestures,

posture, vocal tones, appearance, and so on. As with verbal symbols, we also
attach various meanings to these symbols, which may also vary from one culture to
another.

The meaning of the message being passed on is jointly created between the sender
and receiver. That is, both parties should have a shared understanding of the
symbols being used as these aid in the creation of the meaning and promotes the
comprehension of what the other person is talking about.

According to Hybels and Weaver (2007), Strategic flexibility (SF) is an important

aspect of jointly created messages. SF is defined as the ability to change messages
depending on the situation the people involved are in. Since our traits are infinitely
varied, messages can also be understood in different ways. Even though we take
careful consideration in creating a message by using common symbols and
referents, the meaning may still be taken differently. In using SF, we can adapt,
change, correct or do whatever is needed to get the intended result.

3. Channels

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The channel is the route traveled and the means used in communicating the
message. In face-to-face communication, the primary channels are sound and sight.
In mass media, the channels of communication can be radio, television, CDs,
newspapers, and magazines. Nonverbal messages may also be communicated
using different channels. For example, in order to exude confidence during a job
interview, one must have a firm handshake (touch), appropriate clothing (sight), and
a modulated voice (sound). The senses mentioned become the channels of
communication through which we convey our message.

4. Feedback

Feedback is defined as the response of the receiver to the sender’s message. For
instance, laughing after the delivery of a joke communicates that the receiver
understood the punch line of the sender. Feedback is vital to effective
communication because it allows participants to see whether the meaning of the
message has been shared in the way that was intended (Hybels & Weaver, 1992).

Sender-receivers who meet face-to-face have the greatest opportunity for feedback,
especially if there are hardly any distractions (Hybels & Weaver, 2009). Although it is
important to note that in these situations, limited amounts of feedback may also if the
communicators are preoccupied in planning what to say next. This is how Sensory
acuity comes into play in our interactions. It requires us to pay attention to all
elements in the communication environment. To know if you are being keenly aware
of the message, ask yourselves: Are you paying attention to what others are saying?
Are you aware of how they are saying it? Do nonverbal messages support or
contradict their verbal messages? Are you gaining or losing rapport with the other
person? Is your manner of communication bringing you closer to achieving your
objective? Are you aware of distractions or noise that can derail your
communication?

5. Setting

The setting is the environment where the communication event occurs. The setting
has a significant influence on one’s communication style. For instance, formal
settings necessitate formal communication; while informal ones use casual
communication. To the further illustrate, an auditorium is good for giving speeches
and presentations, but not for holding personal conversations. Smaller venues would
be more appropriate when engaging in intimate conversations.

Communication as a transaction

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A communication transaction does not only involve the physical act of communicating,
but also the psychological aspect of it. Impressions are formed in our minds as we
converse with each other. These impressions directly affect how we interact and
communicate.

Three Principles of Transactional Communication

Transactional communication involves three important principles: first, people

engaged in communication are sending messages continuously and simultaneously;
second, communication events have a past, present and future; and lastly, participants
in communication play certain roles.

Participation is Continuous and Simultaneous. Whether or not an actual

conversation happens, there is always an active sending and receiving of messages.
For example, you are walking in a big city that is not familiar to you. You are most likely
sending out a message of confusion when you keep stopping or hesitating, or by pulling
out a map. If you need to ask for directions, you will probably look for someone
approachable and available; at the same time avoiding those who seem like they’re in a
hurry, or appear as though they might be lost too. If you find someone, you then engage
in a conversation with by asking for your needed information. While the person is
talking, you might start thinking about your estimated time of arrival at your destination;
landmarks to look for, or even create a visual image of what you will see when you get
there. While this is happening, you may also start giving feedback by verbally
expressing understanding, and nodding along. All these activities show that you are
participating continuously and simultaneously in a communication.

All Types of Communication Have a Past, a Present, and a Future. Our responses
to situations depend on our experiences, moods, and expectations. Such factors make
communication more complex. Our familiarity and past experiences with a person or
situation can help predict the future of our communication event.

In instances that we are meeting someone for the first time, we also respond to him or
her based on our previous experiences. For instance, we might act differently around
people based on their physical traits (short, tall, bearded, bald), occupation (accountant,
teacher) or even their name.

The future also influences how we communicate. In order to ensure the duration of a
relationship lasts long, we make sure to say appropriate things and act properly at the
moment. For a certain act to be repeated in the future, we say thank you and
compliment a person’s behavior. If, on the other hand, our intention is to limit
interactions with a person, we may communicate with him or her in a more business-like
manner, which likewise removes the intimacy in our interactions.

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All Types of Communication Play Roles. Roles pertain to the parts we play or ways
we behave with others. It is defined by society, and affects our individual relationships.
The roles we take on control everything from word choice to body language. Each of us
plays different roles (i.e. a student, friend, child, employee), and our manner of
communicating changes depending on the role we take on. As a student, you may be
seen as bright and serious; while as a friend, you are seen as easy going and funny. As
a daughter or son, you are regarded as respectful; and as an employee, you are more
assertive and confident.

Roles are not always the same in a relationship. It varies depending on the setting, the
noise, and others’ moods or even our own. The way we communicate also changes to
meet the needs of our relationships and situations. For example, a married couple, with
three children, is out for a romantic date. During the date, they take on and focus on
their roles as husband and wife by talking about each other (i.e. their jobs, interests,
activities) and their marriage. As they end their date and go home, their roles shift to
being parents as they address the needs and take care of their children.

People may perceive the roles we play, whether it is established by our individual
relationships or by society, differently. These perceptions affect how people
communicate and interact with us. For example, a well-organized youth director
disciplines and closely controls the activities of his group. Others may perceive him as
good and will show respect towards him, while some may perceive him as too strict and
avoid him completely.

Tenets of Communication

These are the six tenets of Communication as discussed by Ang (2009)

1. Communication is a dynamic process. It is ever-changing, ever-moving and always

in a state of flux.
2. Communication is complex. If there are two persons speaking, there could be
several persons interacting through the perceptions that are attached to the
messages being sent and received.
3. Messages are sent, not meanings. Communication does not involve transmission of
meanings, as they are not transferable. Meanings are based from people’s
perceptions of the message, and not in words per se.
4. Communication is systematic. It follows the basic flow of the messages through the
different elements of communication.
5. Communication involves communicators not just “speakers” and “lecturers”.
6. Communication is proactive because the communicators are capable of seeing,
perceiving, analyzing and shaping situations.

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Basic Models of Communication

According to Ang (2009) communication models attempt to describe the process of

communication and how it works. It also provides a picture of the communication event
under different circumstances. Aside from that, it also helps us understand how and why
people communicate, and assists in the “development of effective communication styles
and techniques.”

This simple diagram illustrates the basic components of the communication process:

It shows that any form of oral communication is a two-way process, which involves the
giving and receiving of ideas, feelings, and emotions between two or more persons.

1. The Osgood and Schramm Circular Model. The behavior of the speaker-listener
and listener-speaker is given focus in the communication process. In this model,
communication is an endless process where messages flow from one person to
other without any break in its continuity. Both parties perform identical functions of
encoding, decoding and interpreting.

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2. Dance Helical Model. For Dance, it is incorrect to think that the communication
process goes out and comes back to the point of origin in exactly the same manner.
He believes that communication cannot begin and end without creating changes to
the behavior of the communicators, in the manner of communication, and in the
structure and content of the message itself.

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3. Aristotelian Model. The Aristotelian model was developed in ancient times. It is

the simplest of the models, with its basic elements: the speaker, the message and
the audience.

4. Lasswell Model. The Lasswell Model of Communication is one of the earliest

models and was developed by Harold Lasswell in 1948. It consists of five basic
elements that follow a linear pattern.

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WHO SAYS THAT IN WHAT CHANNEL TO WHOM

cCommunicator Message Medium Receiver

With What Effect

Effect

5. The Shannon-Weaver Model. This is a model designed for communication over a

telephone, and describes the process as a one-way transmission and reception of
messages. It has five basic elements: information source, transmitter, receiver,
destination and noise.

6. Berlo’s Model. David Berlo’s communication model zeroes in on the speaker and
receiver’s background – particularly their knowledge, attitudes, socio-cultural system
and communication skills. In this model, the message gives emphasis on the

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element, structure, content, treatment, and coding. Likewise, the channels of

communication are based on the five senses: visual, auditory, sensory, olfactory and
gustatory.

7. White’s Model. Eugene White focuses on the eight stages of oral communication:

a. Thinking – our desires, feelings or emotions provide stimuli to communicate a

need.

b. Symbolizing – before a communicator can utter a sound, he or she needs to

know the code of oral language to be used to represent his or her ideas.

c. Expressing – the communicator uses his or her vocal mechanism to produce the
sounds of language. This is also accompanied by nonverbal cues like facial
expression, gestures and stance.

d. Transmitting – sound waves spread at 1,000 ft. per second and light waves
travel at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. These two elements aid in
carrying the speaker’s message to the intended listeners.

e. Receiving – the sound waves produce an impact to the listener’s ears, and light
waves strike surfaces. These result to nerve impulses reaching the brain via the
auditory nerve and optic nerve, respectively.

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f. Decoding – the communicator decodes or interprets the language symbols

received and thinks about the message he or she received.

g. Feedbacking – the communicator would then respond with a verbal comment, or

show behavior like a nod or a smile. In some instances, he or she may opt not to
show any behavior at all.

h. Monitoring –the communicator watches closely for signs of understanding from

the listeners. At the same time, he or she is also attuned to what is going on
inside; there is a continuous receiving and decoding of messages which will help
them adjust to the particular situation.

White’s Model of Communication

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References

Alcazar, T. M., et. al., 1993. Effective Speech and Oral Communication. Manila: CEU.

Ang, J. G. 2009. Oral Communication: A Content-Based and Learning Centered

Text-Manual in Effective Speech Communication. Q.C.: Katha Publishing Inc.

Cabbab, J. A. and Cabbab, F. C. 1994. Speech Communication Manual and Skills

Development. Metro Manila: Bookmark.

Concepcion, P.G., et. al. 1994. Speech Communication for Filipinos. Q.C.: Rex.

Crable, R. E. 1982. Using Communication: A New Introduction for the 1980’s. Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.

De Fleur, M. L. and Dennis, E. E. 1991. Understanding Mass Communication:

Houghton Mifflin.

Debson, J. M. 1987. Effective Technique for English Conversation Groups. Washington,

D.C.: United States Information Agency.

Go, M. B. et.al. 1997. Communication Improvement for Effective Oral Presentation.

Manila: CEU.

Hybels, S. and Weaver, R. L. 1992. Communicating Effectively. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Hybels, S. and Weaver, R. L. 2007. Communicating Effectively. 8th Ed. Boston:

McGraw-Hill.

Hybels, S. and Weaver, R. L. 2009. Communicating Effectively. 9th Ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill.

McQuail, D. and Windahl, S. 1981. Communication Models for Study of Mass

Communication. New York: Longman.

Mish, F. C. et. al., 1991. Webster’s Ninth New College Dictionary. Massachusetts:
Meriam-Webster.

Romero, P. P. and Eugenio, P. S. 1997. Principles of Speech and Oral Communication.

Q.C.: Katha Publishing Inc.

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Samovar, L. A. and Mills, J. 1998. Oral Communication. 10th Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

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