Sometimes, we are not able to communicate clearly because of barriers that stop us from sharing and understanding messages. Some of these are summarised in Table.
Factors Affecting Perspectives in Communication
| Factor |
How the factor can become a barrier |
| Language |
In case of use of incorrect words, unfamiliar language and lack of detail, language can act as a barrier to communicate what one wishes to convey. For example, language can act as a barrier when an Indian who only knows Hindi and a Chinese who only knows Mandarin want to interact with each other. |
| Visual Perception |
Judging people or situations by how they look. For example, a man wearing torn clothes is poor. |
| Past Experience |
Letting our earlier experience stop us from understanding or communicating clearly. For example, “This shopkeeper cheated me last time. Let me be careful.” |
| Prejudice |
Fixed ideas, such as thinking “No one in my class listens to me” may stop a student from communicating openly in the class. |
| Feelings |
Our feelings and emotions, such as lack of interest or not trusting the other person affect communication. For example, “I am sad. Let me not talk.” |
| Environment |
Noise or disturbance in the surroundings may make communication difficult. For example, speaking while walking on road. |
| Personal factors |
Your own feelings, habits and ways of thinking (for example, fear, low confidence) may make communication difficult. |
| Culture |
Signs which have a different meaning in different cultures, such as showing a thumb may mean ‘good job’ for some people but may be insulting to others. |
