Answer to Question #203258 in Management for @bridget

Question

TOPIC: BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

“Language allows you to communicate, but it also allows you to miscommunicate 

and misunderstand” (McLean, 2010, pg 57).

Any organisation can have serious problems due to a communication gap. These 

gaps are formed by specific barriers which are thus the major causes of 

unsuccessful business communication. We all know that communication always 

has a purpose, and its exchange always faces various challenges. In the case of 

complex information, it becomes crucial to overcome the potential barriers to 

business communication to achieve successful communication between two 

parties. Both the sender and the receiver of communications must understand and 

gauge the potential threat to communication, and ensure that the barriers are 

overcome.

Considering the above, discuss the barriers to communication and suggest ways 

to overcome them.

Answer 1

Communication barriers.

1. Cliché

The cliché is a word or phrase that sounds silly or boring used by a particular group of people and gets eroded with time as it lost its impact due to overuse. The clichés sometimes are used by lazy people who don't bother searching for the correct word. As a result, cliché can become an obstacle to communication in an organization. The cliche can be overcome by the use of cliché in the workplace. The management should set rules that restrict workers from use of unofficial languages.

2. Jargon

Jargon is the language used by people of a particular professional to communicate among themselves, such as doctors, lawyers, and engineering. For effective communication, the professionals should ensure that their audience understands their terms using simple words to replace that terminology and define and clarify them to the audience.

3. Slang

Slang uses newly invented words to replace the original word to add unconventional effect. The vernacular is commonly used among friends or members of a certain age group. However, in the business context, slang at the workplace creates a risk of misinterpretation. Therefore it is adequate to avoid using slang at the workplace and stick to clear, common words that everyone easily understands.

4. Euphemisms

It is the act of substituting an acceptable word for offensive, unacceptable, or ambiguous words that Convey with similar meaning. The use of such terms may sound disrespectful and annoying even when the speaker did not intend to hurt the audience. For instance, when referring to sexual intercourse, it's polite in Africa to say meeting instead of the word sex. Thus euphemisms are more of a hindrance to communication in an organization. The employees should be clear in choosing words that mean what they intended to express.