ORAL COMMUNICATION: CHARACTERISTICS, ELEMENTS, TYPES, ADVANTAGES - LITERATURE - 2025

The oral communication is one type of interaction in which a message is transmitted between two or more people using for this the natural language code and the voice carrier. Orality involves the production and transmission of messages through the organs of speech: lips, teeth, alveolar region, palate, veil, uvula, glottis and tongue.

In general, the physical medium through which the message is transmitted is traditionally the air. However, with the advancement of technology, oral communication can occur through other physical means. Among others, this type of communication can be carried out through the telephone, interactive chats and videoconferences.

Orality is among the oldest forms of human communication. Share this position with non-verbal sounds and painting. Before the advent of writing, oral communication was used to record activities of daily living. This was especially useful in cases of long and complex stories.

On the other hand, since the beginning of time, this has been the prevalent form of communication in relationships between human beings. In this sense, it takes place everywhere, both in informal conversations and in formal speeches. This offers the possibility of making messages that convey information.

Also, over the years, oral communication has proven to be more effective than written communication in conveying feelings, attitudes, and reactions. This form of communication is more powerful since it not only includes the words of the speaker but also includes changes in the tone, hue, speed and volume of the voice.

characteristics

Natural ability

In oral communication, the production of messages requires the intervention of the lungs and vocal cords for the emission of sounds.

In the same way, the articulators (tongue, teeth, among others), other cavities and muscles participate to carry out the modulation. On the other hand, the organs of hearing are needed for reception.

Thus, the ability of human beings to communicate orally is a natural ability. Unless they have some difficulty with any of these organs, anyone can potentially be a sender or a receiver of messages by oral means.

Bidirectionality

All oral communication needs at least one transmitter (or encoder) and one receiver (or decoder). Generally, in the process both of them intersperse roles by taking turns to occupy these positions. This differentiates it from other forms that are clearly unidirectional.

Fleeting character

In oral communication, both sender and receiver need to occupy the same temporal position at the time of the communicative act.

In the past, they also needed to occupy the same physical space. However, advances in communications offer the possibility of connecting people thousands of kilometers apart.

The fleeting nature of this communication forces communicational contents to be encoded, decoded and feedback occurs within a short period of time. The longer these three processes last, the greater the possibility of poor communication.

Informal context

Due to the transience of their character, in most cases, conversations cannot be verified as they leave no records.

That is why they are associated with rather informal contexts. Therefore, among other implications, oral communication is not used very often in formal circumstances such as in legal settings.

Performance errors

As it is informal, it is common for errors to occur in oral communication. Among them, we can mention the platitudes, the fillers and the unfinished sentences.

Similarly, errors in concordance, the unnecessary use of augmentatives or diminutives, and linguistic inconsistencies are frequent.

Possibility of doubt and rectification

Thanks to its temporality, oral communications allow rapid exchange between the encoder and the decoder. In the same way, it allows quick corrections in the message and additional explanations to ensure correct understanding.

Reflection of diversity

There is no single way of speaking, not even among those who speak the same language. The origin and culture of those who participate in a dialogue can be revealed in the process.

In this way, oral communication can reflect social, linguistic and even geographical diversity. The use of idioms, style, and accents from both ends of the conversation offer this possibility.

Body and proxemic support

The body posture, the proximity between the interlocutors, the gestures and even the way of looking can, under certain conditions, accompany the oral transmission of a message.

This support can facilitate their understanding. Sometimes it can even demonstrate the true intentions of the issuer.

Elements of oral communication

Transmitter

The issuer is the party in charge of generating the message or communicative event during the oral communication process. This, also known as sender or encoder, conceives the message with the purpose of informing, influencing, persuading, changing attitudes, behaviors or opinions of the recipients of the text.

Thus, from within, he selects ideas, encodes them and finally transmits them. The greatest burden of successful communication then falls on him. If the sender achieves that the message can be formulated in accordance with the expectations of the receiver, the level of acceptance will be higher.

Receiver

In oral communication, the receiver is the one to whom the message is addressed. It is also called a decoder or listener. It is he who receives it, understands it, interprets it and tries to perceive its meaning in the way it was transmitted by the sender. Generally, the process is carried out in a common environment and on the same terms for both.

Message

The message is the information that circulates between the sender and the receiver. This message, like any communication element, is organized, structured and shaped according to the intentions of the issuer. Likewise, it is selective and adapted to the communication needs of both the sender and the receiver.

On the other hand, depending on the formulation of this idea, the receiver may or may not be interested in the message. Thus, interest in the message occurs when it meets the requirements of the listener. If he finds his ideals encoded in the message, he listens and responds, thus giving it the maximum impact.

Channel

The channel, or medium, is another important element of oral communication. This is the structure on which the message is based. Originally, the channel used was only the spoken word and the air that vibrated to make sounds travel.

With the advancement of communications, the channel has undergone updates. Nowadays, other means like telephones, internet and video and audio applications are also used to establish the connection between the encoder and the decoder. The composition of the message will depend on the type of medium to be used.

Code

The code refers to the type of linguistic code (language) used by the issuer. This code must be common for both the sender and the receiver. As it is not, the communication process is interrupted since the message does not reach its destination.

Feedback

Feedback is the loop that connects the receiver to the sender in the communication process. Through this, the sender finds out if his message was received, and ensures that the receiver has understood it as it was conceived.

This is one of the most important components of communication. Effective oral communication takes place only when there is positive feedback. Errors and failures that can appear in communication situations can be corrected if feedback is given.

Coding

Coding consists of the process of change that the sender makes to pass the content to be transmitted from its mental form to a pattern understandable by the receiver.

Generally, this is done using words, symbols, pictures, and sounds. Now, in the case of oral communication, the spoken word is used.

Decoding

In the process of oral communication, decoding consists in translating the symbols received in the communication into their ordinary interpretation. This is done from the receiver's point of view. The transaction also takes into account the tone and attitude of the sender.

Situation

The situation in which the communication content is broadcast corresponds to the context in which the communication occurs. This element influences the way in which the message is received as it helps to configure its meaning.

Types

Spontaneous oral communication

Spontaneous oral communication is informal. Par excellence, the representative expression of this type of communication is conversation.

This is an information sharing tool about real life everyday situations. It is personal, and through it situations, feelings and points of view are shared.

Conversations take place without the existence of a rigid plan previously established to guide it. It takes only a little coherence in the shared content and a favorable context for its understanding. Being unplanned, it can be filled with emotional and thoughtless situations and, at times, seem messy.

Planned oral communication

Planned oral communication is one that responds to a previously outlined planning. This planning includes pre-designed themes or structure, guidelines, and any resources that help maintain communication within certain levels.

In this type of communication you can find, on the one hand, the unidirectional planned ones that are those that have a single issuer addressing an audience. Within this class, there are conferences, speeches and master classes, among others.

On the other hand, there are planned multidirectional oral communications. In them you have a group of interlocutors addressing an audience.

This type of communication is seen in debates in which various issuers offer their opinions and points of view in relation to a previously defined topic.

Advantage

1. Oral communication is interpersonal. For that reason, both the level of understanding and transparency are high.
2. It is characterized by having a quick and spontaneous feedback. Consequently, quick decisions can be made.
3. There is no rigidity. This allows for greater flexibility in decision making. These decisions may change throughout the information exchange.
4. Oral communication is effective in solving sudden problems. Its simplicity, speed and maneuverability allow approaches to be evaluated and these solutions implemented quickly.
5. Using oral communication saves time, money, and effort. Therefore, it is the type of communication that is used preferentially.
6. This type of communication generates well-being and pleasure. And it encourages teamwork and the exchange of information. Likewise, it increases the group energy in the work teams.

Disadvantages

1. The contents of oral communication are unstable. This type of communication is difficult to maintain over time due to its transience. The contents are valid only during the sender-receiver interaction. Upon completion, the contents are no longer valid.
2. They are not recommended in commercial and legal matters. In these cases, the message needs to be valid over time, a condition that does not guarantee oral communication.
3. Misunderstandings may appear during oral communication. This is because it is less detailed than other types of communication.

Examples

Examples of spontaneous or informal oral communication include face-to-face and telephone conversations. Thanks to technological advances in recent years, this type of interaction has been made possible through social networks and audio and video applications.

While on the formal or planned side, we can mention the presentations made in the course of business meetings and lectures in classrooms. Likewise, speeches or talks given on the occasion of graduation ceremonies or events of high importance fall into this classification.

References

1. South African history. (s / f). The oldest forms of human communication. Taken from sahistory.org.za.
2. Swarthout, D. (s / f). Oral Communication: Definition, Types & Advantages. Taken from study.com.
3. Triple A learning. (s / f). Verbal / oral communication. Taken from textbook.stpauls.br.
4. Flormata-Ballesteros, TM (2003). Speech & Oral Communication. Quezon city: Katha Publishing.
5. Ministers Magazine. (s / f). Oral communication: What it is, Meaning and Concept. Taken from ministros.org.
6. Molisch, AF (2012). Wireless Communications. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.