What exactly is communication? What happens when we communicate? In answering those questions, we will first define and then explain the phenomenon.
Communication has been defined variously, and each definition is usually a reflection of the author’s objective or of a specific context. Often the definition is long and rather abstract, because the author is trying to incorporate as many aspects of communication as possible. In some instances, the definition is narrow and precise, designed to explain a specific type or instance of communication.
When studying the union of culture and communication, however, a succinct, easily understandable definition is in everyone’s best interest. Thus, for us, communication is the management of messages with the objective of creating meaning (Griffin, 2005).
This definition is somewhat broad, yet is precise in specifying what occurs in every communicative episode. It does not attempt to establish what constitutes successful or unsuccessful communication, which is actually determined by the involved participants, can vary from one person to another, and is frequently scenario dependent. The only qualifiers we place on communication are intentionality and interaction. In other words, if communication is considered to be purposeful – to persuade, inform, or entertain – then we communicate with an intention, and we achieve our objective only by interacting with someone.