We explain what communication barriers are, how they are classified and their effects. In addition, we explain their characteristics and examples.
Semantic barriers have to do with language differences.
What are communication barriers?
Communication barriers are the different obstacles or difficulties that may arise during the communication process and which can hinder, slow down or make it less effective in some way. These barriers have to do with the specific conditions during a communicative act.
Communication is the effective transmission of a message between a sender and a receiver who share a code and use a specific channel. And in that sense it presents minimum internal and external coordination requirements to be able to occur, with minimal risk of distortion in the message.
For example: “broken telephone” gamealso called “broken telephone” or “broken telephone.” It consists of forming a circle of players, one is designated to start the game by saying a complete phrase into the ear of the player next to him, without the rest being able to hear the phrase. Then that player repeats the phrase to the player next to him and so on. The last person in the round to receive the message must say it out loud so that everyone can hear it. At that moment the message is compared with the original and the distortions and communication barriers that altered the interpretation of the original message are made evident.
Concept of communication barriers
The barriers to communication They can be any type of difficulties, obstacles or challenges that arise in a specific communicative act and that negatively affect the possibility of transmitting the message reliably.
They may have to do with the members of the processthe sender or the receiver, for example: whether or not they share the same code (language) or, with the context in which the communicative act occurs (if two people try to talk over loud music).
Types of communication barriers
There are different types of communication barriers, such as:
- Physics. They are communicative barriers that make communication difficult, such as environmental noises and physical obstacles (glass, walls, curtains) that distort sound or prevent correct hearing.
- Semantics. These are communication barriers that have to do with the code, that is, the language in which the meanings of words, gestures or other types of signs are inscribed in non-verbal communication. They may have to do with dialectal or linguistic differences.
- Physiological. These are communication barriers linked to the conditions of both the sender and the receiver or receivers, such as physical issues (deafness and muteness) or even temporary illnesses or conditions (hoarseness and conjunctivitis).
- Psychological. They are the communication barriers resulting from the mental or emotional condition of both the sender and the receiver of the message. For example: a person who suffers from an anxiety disorder and the rest of the participants in the communication do not know it, they may not be able to understand some attitudes or responses.
- Administrative. These are barriers that have to do with bureaucratic channels of communication in organizations or in the planning of a particular communication event, such as a conference. Communication barriers have to do with information overload or lack of concentration, among many other barriers.
Effects of communication barriers
One possible effect may be distortion of the message.
Typically, the main effect of communication barriers It is usually complete lack of communicationthat is, the impossibility of achieving a correct understanding between the sender and the receiver. It usually occurs message distortion which leads to misunderstandings or contradictions between the interlocutors
Examples of communication barriers
Very loud sounds can make conversation difficult.
Some examples of communication barriers are:
- Physics. For example: it is a room in which there are too many people talking at the same time, it can make it difficult for the recipients to perceive each of the messages. If we add to this the noise of a television turned on at high volume, the correct transmission and decoding of messages will be even more difficult.
- Semantics. For example: a dialogue between two people who speak different languages and try to converse, or two people who speak very different dialects of the same language, can be communication barriers, because they do not share the same codes for a correct interpretation of the messages.
- Physiological. For example: a man shouts at another person that he has dropped his wallet, but the person does not react because he is deaf and cannot hear him, unless the man approaches him and tells him what happened, using signs.
- Psychological. For example, a person who suffers from an anxiety disorder and finds themselves in a meeting with several people is likely to feel uncomfortable at some point and not be able to express what they are feeling. Others, unaware of their personal situation, may unintentionally make it worse by asking repeated questions such as “What’s wrong?” or “Come, join the conversation.”
- Administrative. For example: the channels that an organization uses to find out the concerns of its employees and to inform them about news and internal regulations can be direct (such as a meeting) or indirect (email). The confidentiality or importance of the message will determine the appropriate channel to avoid misunderstandings.
Strategies to avoid communication barriers
Communication barriers can be avoided, at least to a large extent. Some strategies are:
- Develop language skills. Learning to express oneself appropriately and strategically, even in different languages, is a learning that can be acquired and that allows one to empathize with the recipient and adapt the message so that they interpret it in the best way.
- Get attention. Communication is an active process that requires the constant attention of a receiver and can be achieved by interest in the topic itself or by the sender’s ability to keep the receiver entertained.
- Control emotions. Sometimes emotions can make us say something different than what we consciously want to say, such as in a work discussion. Therefore, it is important to think twice about what we want to say, and not get carried away by impulse.
Distracting elements in communication
Too many people in an environment can be a distracting element.
Distracting elements are those that hijack the attention of the actors in a communicative eventpreventing it from occurring or causing it to occur poorly.
These may be other people who are speaking simultaneously or in the face of abundant information on a complex topic and it becomes difficult to maintain constant attention. They are considered, obviously, as a circumstantial form of communication barrier.
Phatic function of language
Feedback requires clear signals of attention.
The so-called phatic function of language is useful for dealing with communication barriers. When we use expressions or sounds (onomatopoeia) that lack their own meaningbut they fulfill the role of obtaining feedback to verify the correct functioning of the communication channel.
For example: “hello?” or “hello?” employee to answer the phone, clear signs of attention, such as nodding, a keyword “ok”, “I understand” or “clear”.
Content Relevance
The relevance of content is a necessary concept to think about communication barriers.
To the receiver It will be difficult for you to focus your attention and keep the channel open for those messages that do not seem relevant, necessary or pertinent within the flow of communication, which follows a logical order.