Journalism and Mass Communication | © 2003 Kalyani Suresh |
The Meaning of Communication
Communication is an ever continuing process and an integral part of the world of all living things. The need for communication is as basic as the hunger for food and drink, perhaps even more so. It is an individual as well as a social need.
Derived form the Latin word communis , meaning common, communication is a synonym for interchange, dialogue, sharing, interaction or communion. It is the passing of meaningful messages and the receiving of feedback. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines communication as ‘the exchange of meaning between individuals or groups through a common system of symbols or language’.
Denis McQuail (“Towards a Sociology of Mass Communication, 1975) sees ‘human communication’ as the sending of meaningful messages from one person to another. These messages could be oral or written, visual or olfactory. He also includes laws, practices, customs, ways of dressing, gestures, military parades and flags as methods of communication.
Human communication went through different stages of development. At first this development was driven by the process of mankind’s evolution from the lower species, later it was driven by technological human progress.
Historical Survey of Communication:
The Age of Signs and Signals
The Age of Speech and Language
The Age of Writing
The Age of Printing
The Mass Communication Age
The Age of Information Revolution
1. The Age of Signs and Signals
2. The Age of Speech and Language
Man’s first achievement was speech and
language. It gave
him an eminent position over others. Growth of different languages
gave birth to different expressions that denoted distinctions within
communities.
Certain languages acquired the
traits of others, e.g., the language of conquerors was absorbed
into the local dialect. This then became the language of administration
and commerce.
3. The Age of Writing
About 5,000 years ago, hieroglyphic writing
was developed by the
Mayans and the Chinese. They used pictures with a standardized
meaning.
The Sumerians developed a different form of
writing
that represented sounds by symbols.
This allowed information to be stored
and for traditions to be passed on in writing.
Clay, stone and later papyrus were developed and used as portable
media. Writing gave permanence to the spoken language. Writing
was slow to develop because the clergy, who were the seats of
power, wanted it to be their sole privilege.
4. The Age of Print
In the 1st century A.D, China invented paper.
In the 8th century the Arab world began to
manufacture paper.
In the 15th century, the Gutenberg press was
invented and printing began in Europe.
As a consequence, information could be copied much faster and with
far fewer mistakes than before. Availability of information was
no longer restricted to the Roman Church and to nobility, but
open to a wider section of European societies. This
was the basis for further historical development that culminated
in the Thirty-Years-War.
Books were followed by the development of
pamphlets
and then newspapers in the 17th century. Some newspapers began
to be edited by the then subjugated Asians and Africans in spite
of severe opposition. Revolutionary journals began to see the
light of day and enjoyed wide readership.
5. The Mass Communication Age
In the 19th century, communication was
determined by several media forms.
Print media, especially newspapers, were
supplemented by telegraph
and telephone.
The introduction of radio, film and television
in the 20th century saw the emergence of the Mass Communication
era.
6. The Age of Information Revolution
At present, we are living amidst an information revolution. Integrated multimedia applications are now possible due to networks established from the development of digital communication technology. Hypertext structures form the basis for communication and navigation within the system.
CONCLUSIONS
Communication is a carrier of a social process and man is a social being because of communication.
Communication influences others and in turn is influenced by them.
Communication gives people a sense of belonging and reduces loneliness and frustration by helping people adapt to their environment.
The communication revolution has marched along with the industrial revolution and the media has been shaped by powerful economic and social forces, such as the rise of democracy.
Review questions and assignments
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