Katie Habansky

First, to try and understand human communication, it is important to define both human and communication. According to Webster’s Dictionary online human is defined as “ a bipedal primate mammal; man” while communication is “ a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior” (Merriam Webster, 2008). While these definitions are accurate it is important to note that there are many other aspects associated with communication that can help or render the message and each definition should be read lightly.
For instance, Covey and Merrill (2006) state in The Speed of Trust that the level of trust the sender and receiver have determines whether or not the intended meaning of the message will get across. If the relationship is of high-trust, most likely the sender can say or do anything and the receiver will accept the message as truth. On the other hand, if the level of trust is low to none, the chances of misinterpretation of a message become very high no matter how well the message is delivered (Covey & Merrill, 2006).
Another factor which can create either reassurance or a misread message in communication is the use of nonverbal communication. Some examples of nonverbal communication are facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and hand gestures. If a person gives off a certain tone with nonverbal communication, the message can be either accepted and communication is positive or misinterpreted and the communication is now negative. This is tricky because the use of nonverbal communication is present in communication all of the time and sometimes the sender may not even be aware that he/she is sending off a nonverbal message to the receiver.
Moreover, this goes back to the level of trust the people involved have for one another. As shown in Frank Dance’s Helical Model, communication is built on a relationship. In the beginning, trust and communication is small and very surface deep, but as the relationship and trust grows, so does the communication (Nitcavic, 2008). So according to Dance’s model, if people are communicating in the first stages of their relationship and nonverbal communication is misinterpreted, it could affect the rest of the communication and relationship. Or if the correct interpretation of the nonverbal used is received, it can begin the building process of that relationship. Likewise, if the use of nonverbal communication is used deep in a relationship (or the top of Dance’s model) there is less of a chance for misinterpretation since the sender and receiver have built trust and a deeper relationship.
When it comes to communicating, it is important to also note that once communication begins, there is no way to take it back. Anything said, verbal or nonverbal, is permanent. For instance, if a person hurts someone else’s feelings he/she may be able to communicate more to make it better but cannot erase the affect and memory of his/her actions and words. The famous saying “think before you speak” comes into play here. Once communication is there, there is no going back.
Moving on, there are different ways of communication as well. Intrapersonal communication is where someone can be all alone and write down his/her thoughts and feelings and this is considered communication as long as the document exists. Group communication occurs when three or more people are communicating and are usually in pursuit of a common interest. However, mass mediated communication has such a large audience that it has to happen through some form of technology (Nitcavic, 2008). All are examples of communication, just very different aspects.
In conclusion, defining human communication is not a clear cut and dry process. Although one can look up these words in a dictionary and get a basic understanding on what they mean, there are many different factors that are involved which complicate these definitions. Communicating is not a linear process and so it must not be treated so. There are so many different aspects that connect the process of communication, it is impossible to treat it as a cut-and-dry process. The key is to accepting the world is forever changing and so are the many different ways of communicating.

References
Covey, S, & Merrill, R (2006). The Speed of Trust.New York: Free Press.
Nitcavic, R (2008). Fundamentals of Public Communication. Plymouth, MI: Hayden McNeil.
(2008). Retrieved August 28, 2008, from Merriam Webster Online Web site: .

Links
Shannon-Weaver