Long word: Communication

Classes began in June for most of us and so we are going on our second month this school year. What have we learned so far? 

As for me, the question I ask myself as a teacher is, “What have my students learned after one month?”

I teach Business Communication in college. That subject is probably not interesting to you. Or you may think these words are unimportant, because you have many more years to go before you start talking about business.

But I think that the word communication is important to anyone no matter what age.

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Communication is essential to a baby who still can’t speak nor understand a word. It is just as essential to grandparents who are hard of hearing or don’t have a full set of teeth.

In short, communication is a word that may be long (and difficult to spell correctly) but is actually necessary in everyone’s life anywhere in the world—every single day. 

Why?

ooo

First, let’s find out what communication means.   

It is the exchange of thoughts and messages through: what we say, our signals, our sounds, our writing, and the way we behave. It comes from the Latin word communis, which means: to share.

Here are four easy-to-remember examples of communication.    

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1. By sound.  A crying baby communicates that he is either hungry, or angry, or uncomfortable. So what does his mother do? He feeds him, or carries him, or changes his wet diaper.

2. By action. A girl in third grade pinches a boy in first grade. Without saying a word, the girl has communicated her anger or hatred toward the boy.  The boy, in exchange, runs to his teacher and tells on the girl.

3. By speech. “Go to bed now!” your dad says. You either go to bed right away or you pretend you don’t hear him. Either way, you are communicating how you feel.

4. By writing.  On Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, your teacher asks you to write a message for your dad or mom. So you draw some flowers and write the words, “I love you dad/mom.” Upon receiving your short note, your dad or mom feels great joy and pride for what you did.

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Communication doesn’t only happen between people. It is also used to relay important messages. 

On the road, when the traffic lights turn to red, every vehicle has to stop. And when it turns to green, the vehicles have to drive forward.

In school, when you hear the bell during class, it means that it is time for recess. You are free to go to the toilet, the cafeteria, or the yard.

In radio or TV stations, when you see the sign, “On air,” you are not to make noise because there is a recording or a program ongoing.

At home, when your dog barks toward the gate, you know there is someone there, most probably someone your pet has never met. 

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So you see, communication is a long word, but it sure goes a long, long way.

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