Communication Barriers

Language and Communication are two faces of the same coin. Having the expertise of a particular language will not always result in effective communication. The first taste of language comes to us when we are born, and as we grow, we learn to speak our ‘Mother Tongue.’ However, as we grow older, we are exposed to different communication modes, namely; dialect, culture, ethnic background, facial expression, hand gestures, etc. Language is essential for communication. However, it is ironic that people with speech impairments effectively communicate through different hand gestures called ‘sign language.’ English is supposedly known as the global language and again ironic because knowing won’t help us communicate in a place like China. Hence the inability to communicate using a language is known as a ‘language barrier’ to communication. Also, we should know about the dangers of poppers for our health.

Unity in Diversity

India has a vast culture that has believed in ‘Unity in Diversity’. Now this ‘Diversity’ is seen predominantly when people use the same language with different dialects depending on their place of origin. For example, ‘Mumbaiya Hindi’ is completely different from the Hindi spoken in South India. Hindi happens to be our National language. Hence a localite of Mumbai traveling to Tamil Nadu’s outskirts may find it mighty hard to reach his destination.

English (supposedly) language of development

India is one of those developing nations, which follows an ‘unreasonable frenzy’ for English. Almost half of the population struggling to land a foreign job creates stress among the youth and a vast difference of vocabulary with children studying in rural areas.
The best example was created on the silver screen by the late superstar Sridevi in the movie ‘English Vinglish’, where the protagonist in spite of being a dedicated mom and successful entrepreneur, falls and rises out of the stigma of not knowing English.

Regional dialect and accent

India is one of those geographically diverse countries where dialect changes within a span of a few kilometers. For example Bengali spoken in villages is quite different from the way it is spoken in the city of Kolkata. Though technically the majority speaks Bengali their thick accent creates a barrier in understanding and communicating effectively.

Too much information

Today we live in an era where there is a ‘baggage of knowledge,’ which is sometimes overflowing. Thanks to social media, in modern times, we face immense hostility in accepting others’ points of view, and this is a barrier that has more to do with our psychology than with real power of knowledge. Using fancy words (jargons), whether in the personal or professional world, has become a norm.

India is developing in leaps and bounds. Literacy is slowly crossing borders, and gaps are getting filled with vast technical knowledge, modern schooling methods and efficient teachers. It is heartening to see modern minds are viewing education from a holistic point of view. One common point between language and communication is that they are both ‘medium of expression.’Like music, it is imperative to believe that there will be no barriers to cross with an open heart and mind.