WHAT IS SEMANTIC NOISE? (WITH EXAMPLES) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The semantic noise is one of the types of noise in the communication in which the speaker uses a complex language, technical, grammatical and autochthonous or the recipient does not understand the message.

This occurs when the sender uses a word or phrase whose meaning is not known, or is used in a different way than the recipient. For example, for example, on a sign in a bar that says “drinking is not allowed”, it could generate semantic noise. Such a sign could be interpreted as saying that drinking is not allowed in general or that it is not allowed to drink alcohol.

In turn, it is the term that communication and language teachers use to describe what happens when words mean different things to different people. This means that understanding the message or its decoding becomes more complex for the recipient.

Effective communication depends on the person who emits it and the person who receives it, knowing the same meaning of the thing or subject in question and the semantic noise.

That is, complexities, technical words or slang, should be kept to a minimum. Opinions, beliefs, attitudes and values ​​are manifested through the language that we use directly or indirectly.

Within language, words undergo changes in the meanings of expressions over time. A given word can be about a certain thing, and then generalized to represent other similar things.

Semantic noise concept

Understanding what semantic noise means will help to recognize when it occurs, especially in a business environment or in an educational environment, to help take precautions and avoid it.

Although it is impossible to get out of the experiences that are part of the values ​​and attitudes of the human being, these also influence how the message in question is received.

Such is the example of the name of a well-known brand worldwide that has undergone a great transformation of its meaning, such as the word "Kleenex" that refers to the rectangular box with disposable tissues, whether or not it is from said brand..

Whereas in other cases, a word may start out as a general description of something and over time, it may refer only to a specific thing.

Becoming an intentional communicator who knows how and when to use the right message at the right time requires a little time spent on your language skills and vocabulary.

Finally, language management is totally related to effective communication.

Semantic noise in languages ​​and countries

All languages ​​are made up of sounds that make up words, and the words are then pronounced in a structure that is used formally or informally within society.

Because these sounds progressed differently from culture to culture and age to age, they have been used at random by the inhabitants of certain regions to represent a thing or an idea.

The more abstract the symbolic representation, the more indefinite the meaning and the greater the possibility that the speaker and the audience can establish a meaning other than the abstract.

It is common to observe that in countries that speak the same language, a word can have several meanings depending on the country, and even the area within it where the speaker is.

Thanks to the internet, global culture and technology, year after year it provides new words in dictionaries, both in the English Language and in the Royal Spanish Academy.

Some examples of semantic noise

The most common examples that can be observed take place in the field of communication and advertising.

One particular case is that an editor wrote this slogan for a drug campaign: “Try our cough syrup. You will never get better ”.

The message can be understood in two ways, as it creates semantic noise and those who read it may wonder if they would buy a product that will not help them improve their health.

There are many examples of semantic noise, and they all depend on the country, such is the case of a fire signal in a Vienna hotel where the fire sign quotes: “In case of fire, do your best to alarm the hotel porter".

These are some extreme examples, of course. However, they show that even if the speaker tries to say one thing, the words can be understood by something else.

Even something as simple as writing "soda" when people normally say "soda" can stop long enough for a person to be confused about the meaning.

Semantic noise in writing

For those who work in writing and journalism, it is common to notice that they may have a tendency to suffer from this type of noise in communication.

Within journalism, semantic noise refers to the errors that are inside the message that is being transmitted.

To do this, Dean Rieck from Direct Creative offers 3 solutions to combat semantic noise in writing, especially for those who are dedicated to it:

1. Identify semantic noise. Just being aware of the possibility of confusion, and that the words do not have a precise meaning, could help avoid these types of situations.
2. Write calmly, without haste. It is always good to write, let the idea “cool” for a few days or hours, and then go back to it. This can help you see things that were not previously seen.
3. Show your copy to other people. It can be a client, proofreader, friend, anyone. Another person's opinion can help silence semantic noise.

Semantic noise as an obstacle to effective communication

In the communication process, there are various kinds of noise. There are the psychological, physical, technical and semantic noises.

Of all these different types of noise, the semantic is considered by some experts as the most important, since if the meaning of the words or expressions is not understood, the message will never be understood by the receiver.

If the purpose is to achieve effective communication with others to achieve a particular end, it is of utmost importance to improve language through reading to enrich and strengthen vocabulary and grammar.

Another very positive option is to ask the sender of the message for 'feedback', that is, a greater explanation about the word or expression used in order to understand the message issued without any problem.

References

1. Dean Rieck. Semantic noise: the copywriter's curse. (2009). Source: directcreative.com
2. Chi Tran. Understanding Semantic Noise. (2013). Source: app-skills.com
3. Elizabeth Harrin. Overcoming Noisy Communication. (2016). Source: girlsguidetopm.com
4. Sheila Steinberg. An Introduction to Communication Studies. (2007). Recovered from: books.google.com
5. Rude in communication: clubensayos.com