(1) Semantic Barriers

There is always a possibility of misunderstanding the feelings of the

sender of the message or getting a wrong meaning of it. The words,
signs, and figures used in the communication are explained by the
receiver in the light of his experience which creates doubtful
situations. This happens because the information is not sent in simple
language.

Semantic is the science of meaning. The same words and symbols

carry different meanings to different people. Difficulties in
communication arise when the sender and the receiver of the message
use words or symbols in different senses. The meaning intended by the
sender may be quite different from the meaning followed by the
receiver. People interpret the message in terms of their own behaviour
and experience. Sometimes, the language used by the sender may not
at all be followed by the receiver.

The chief language-related barriers are as under:

(i) Badly Expressed Message:
Because of the obscurity of language there is always a possibility of
wrong interpretation of the messages. This barrier is created because
of the wrong choice of words, in civil words, the wrong sequence of
sentences and frequent repetitions. This may be called linguistic
chaos.
(ii) Symbols or Words with Different Meanings:
A symbol or a word can have different meanings. If the receiver
misunderstands the communication, it becomes meaningless. For
example, the word ‘value’ can have different meanings in the following
sentences:

(a) What is the value of computer education these days?

(b) What is the value of this mobile set?

(c) Value our friendship.

(iii) Faulty Translation:

A manager receives much information from his superiors and
subordinates and he translates it for all the employees according to
their level of understanding. Hence, the information has to be
moulded according to the understanding or environment of the
receiver. If there is a little carelessness in this process, the faulty
translation can be a barrier in the communication.

(iv) Unclarified Assumptions:

It has been observed that sometimes a sender takes it for granted that
the receiver knows some basic things and, therefore, it is enough to tell
him about the major subject matter. This point of view of the sender is
correct to some extent with reference to the daily communication, but
it is absolutely wrong in case of some special message,
(v) Technical Jargon:
Generally, it has been seen that the people working in an enterprise
are connected with some special technical group who have their
separate technical language.

Their communication is not so simple as to be understood by

everybody. Hence, technical language can be a barrier in
communication. This technical group includes industrial engineers,
production development manager, quality controller, etc.

(vi) Body Language and Gesture Decoding:

When the communication is passed on with the help of body language
and gestures, its misunderstanding hinders the proper understanding
of the message. For example, moving one’s neck to reply to a question
does not indicate properly whether the meaning is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

(2) Psychological or Emotional Barriers

The importance of communication depends on the mental condition of
both the parties. A mentally disturbed party can be a hindrance in
communication. Following are the emotional barriers in the way of
communication:
(i) Premature Evaluation:
Sometimes the receiver of information tries to dig out meaning
without much thinking at the time of receiving or even before
receiving information, which can be wrong. This type of evaluation is a
hindrance in the exchange of information and the enthusiasm of the
sender gets dampened.

(ii) Lack of Attention:

When the receiver is preoccupied with some important work he/she
does not listen to the message attentively. For example, an employee is
talking to his boss when the latter is busy in some important
conversation. In such a situation the boss may not pay any attention to
what subordinate is saying. Thus, there arises psychological hurdle in
the communication.

(iii) Loss by Transmission and Poor Retention:

When a message is received by a person after it has passed through
many people, generally it loses some of its truth. This is called loss by
transmission. This happens normally in case of oral communication.
Poor retention of information means that with every next transfer of
information the actual form or truth of the information changes.

According to one estimate, with each transfer of oral communication

the loss of the information amounts to nearly 30%. This happens
because of the carelessness of people. Therefore, lack of transmission
of information in its true or exact form becomes a hindrance in
communication.
(iv) Distrust:
For successful communication the transmitter and the receiver must
trust each other. If there is a lack of trust between them, the receiver
will always derive an opposite meaning from the message. Because of
this, communication will become meaningless.

Such barriers arise due to the following reasons:

1. Premature evaluation

2. Lack of attention

3. Loss of information in transmission

4. Poor retention

5. Lack of reliance

6. Distrust of communicator

7. Failure to communicate
Physical or environmental barriers:
A communication is a two-way process, distance between the sender
and the receiver of the message is an important barrier to
communication. Noise and environmental factors also block
communication.

a. Noise - The noise created by external factors like traffic, playing of

loud music, trains and airplanes, or by crowds of people, affects our
communication.

b. Time & distance - Time becomes a physical barrier when people

have to communicate across different time zones in different countries.
The physical distance between people who need to communicate can
also cause problems because it does not allow oral or face-to-face
communication.

c. Defects in communication system – Mechanical problems and

defects in instruments of communication also create physical barriers,
as in a faulty fax machine or typewriter. Similarly, a computer that
hangs, or a dead telephone line can lead to non-transmission of
messages. eg. No range in mobile, technical problem in mike or
speakers.

d. Wrong selection of medium – The sender selects the medium which

is not familiar to the receiver.

e. Physiological defects like stammering, hearing defects, mumbling

while speaking etc.
Physical barriers are comparatively easier to overcome.
The use of loudspeakers and microphones can remove the barriers of noise and
distance in crowded places like railway stations.

Traffic signals and non-verbal gestures of the traffic policeman remove physical
barriers on the roads.

Technological advancement has helped in reducing the communication gap

arising due to time and distance .

It is possible to make an alternative arrangement, should the technological

instruments fail. A back-up plan helps in tidying over any snag.

Language or Semantic Barriers can be overcome

if the sender and the receiver choose a language which both of them understand
very well.

Help from a translator or an interpreter also helps in overcoming the language

barrier.

Exposure to the target language and training oneself in the acquisition of skills of
the given language too help in overcoming the language barrier.

Language barriers can be avoided by careful study and accurate use of language.

Clarity should be the main objective when using language.

Jargon should be avoided.

Psychological barriers, as also cross-cultural barriers are
difficult to overcome, as they are difficult to identify and even more difficult
to address.

Even these can be avoided or reduced by adopting a flexible and open-minded

attitude.

The ultimate aim is to build bridges of understanding between people – that is

the main aim of communication.

Training oneself to listen to different views ,

exposing oneself to different environments help in broadening one‘s outlook and

cultivating tolerance to multiple views.

Teaching oneself to listen with empathy helps in making oneself more open to
others‘ perceptions.

While dealing with psychological or cross-cultural barriers the sender should

make it a point to–

(i) use language that is politically neutral and correct.

(ii) present views in simple and objective manner

(iii) focus on the objective of communication