Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

Dictionary of language and linguistics 206ReferenceHobbs, J. and R.Moore (eds) 1985. Formal theories of the commonsense world. Norwood, NJ.communication [Lat. communicatio ‘theaction of imparting’]In its broadest sense, this term refers to every kind of mutual transmission of informationusing signs or symbols between living beings (humans, animals), between people anddata-processing machines. For information on the technical and cybernetic use ofcommunication, information theory.In its narrower, linguistic sense, communication is the understanding which occursbetween humans through linguistic and non-linguistic means like gestures, mimicry andvoice ( non-verbal communication). The basic components of communication areshown in communication models. Research into its qualities and mutual co-operation isthe concern mainly of pragmatically and sociolinguistically oriented linguistics andgeneral communication science. ( also animal communication, communicationmodel, communication science, non-verbal communication, semiotics,sociolinguistics)ReferencesMellor, D.H. (ed.) 1990. Ways of communication. Cambridge.European Journal of CommunicationJournalcommunication modelThe schematic (usually graphic) representation of the conditions, the structure, and thepath of communicative processes based on the following formula: ‘Who is saying whatby what means to whom with what effect?’ (Lasswell 1948). Most communication modelsare based on one designed in 1949 by Shannon and Weaver for news transmission. Thebasic components of a communication model, which may be differentiated according toone’s focus, are (a) sender and receiver (speaker/hearer), (b) channel or medium of the