-
Effective Management Through Language Communication In An Organization
[A STUDY OF DELTA STATE POLYTECHNIC, OGWASHI-UKU]
CHAPTER TWO -- [Total Page(s) 6]
Page 1 of 6
-
-
-
Chapter Two
Review of Literature
2.1 The Concept of Language and Communication
Many scholars have considered the concept of language from several perspectives. Gamble and Gamble see it as:“A unified system of symbols that permit the sharing of meaningâ€(114).
Dahnke and Clatterbuck further view language as: “A structured system that is built on a particular way of categorizing and organizing experience†(36).Looking at the structure of a language, Ross (2) categorizes it to include: Discourse (text type and structure), Semantics (meanings), Pragmatics (implied meanings), Phonology (sounds), Graphology (marks on the page/screen), Morphology (word structure), Lexis (words) and Grammar (sentence structure).
Apart from language being viewed as a structured system, Pearson et al highlight the fact that the symbols used in communication are arbitrary. Thus, they see language as: “A collection of symbols, letters or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate†(74).
In a similar view, Bloom and Lahey (qtd. in Arhagba) see language as: “A code whereby ideas about the world are represented through a conventional system of arbitrary signals of communication†(22).Seiler and Beall equally opine that a language involves the non-verbal and not only the verbal as some scholars tend to portray. They define language as:
A structured system of signs, sounds, gestures or marks that are used and understood to express ideas and feelings among people within a community, nation, geographic area or cultural tradition (81).
In my own view, I see language as a kind of communication using signs, symbols or any other representational forms that are arbitrarily understood either in the spoken, written or non-written forms.
Communication on the other hand has been viewed from several points of view. A majority of scholars see communication as a process of information exchange. Let us consider some of these views. Little (qtd. in Eziechine) defines communication as: “A process by which information is passed between individuals and/or organizations by means of previously agreed symbols†(25).
Similarly, Pearson et al see communication as: “The process by which meaning is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behaviours†(10).In corroboration with this view, Udall and Udall (qtd. in James et al) regard communication as:
The process by which one person (or a group) shares and imparts information to another person (or group) so that both people (or group) clearly understand one another (3).
Expatiating on the above views, Goldhaber sees communication as: “The process of creating and exchanging messages within a network of interdependent relationships to cope with environmental uncertainty†(57).
Some other scholars do not see communication as a process, rather, they regard it as the sharing of information, ideas and feelings between or among persons. Let us consider some of these opinions. Seiler and Beall view communication as: “The simultaneous sharing and creating of meaning through human symbolic interaction†(3).
Also, Ohoneme considers it as: “The sharing of ideas, feelings and messages between a speaker and receiver based on mutual intelligibility†(7).Similarly, Reuss and Silvis see communication as: “The exchange of information, ideas and feelings†(3).
The concept of communication can also be looked at from the administrative point of view. Aniemeka perceives it as the exchange of ideas with an organization. According to her, work can only be carried out effectively if there is proper communication. She opines:
Communication informs and conveys ideas. It is a two way flow of information between employers and employees, between the administrator and his bosses, between the administrator and his colleagues and between the administrator and his subordinates. Communication is very important to the administrator because administration involves getting things done through and with other people and so administrators must communicate with people (68).
In my own view, I see communication as the transfer of information (whether spoken, written or non written) from one person or group to another. Communication can only be effective if whatever message sent is understood by the receiver as perceived by the sender.
2.2 The Relationship between Language and Communication
Language is one means by which we communicate.
Elaborating on this, Obi-Okoye opines:
The basic function of language is communication. Man lives in a society and he often has need to interact with other members of his society. He does this through the instrumentality of language. Language enables man to communicate his feelings, thoughts, knowledge, ideas … As regards the communication of ideas, language plays very vital role. Man makes his ideas known to others through conversation, seminars, and speeches… Without language, human society as we know it today will be non-existent (40-1).
Similarly, Seiler and Beall assert:
Without language, there would be little or no human communication as we know it. Language allows us to encounter our world in meaningful ways because it allows us to share meaning with others (81).
In addition to the above views, Ohoneme states that language is a necessity for effective communication. He sums up thus: “For effective communication to take place, man needs language either in its spoken, written or non-written form†(8).
From the above views, I am of the opinion that man depends on language to enable him communicate his feelings, ideas and thoughts effectively. Language is therefore inseparable from communication. For effective communication to take place, the language used must be familiar to both the sender and receiver.
2.3 Types of Language Communication
Basically, there are two broad methods of language communication: the verbal and non-verbal.
Verbal Language Communication
This is communication through the use of words. Verbal communication is language based. Gbenedio and Anene-Boyle expatiate:
By language based communication, we mean a system of spoken or written symbols of a community which conveys information from one person to another. In other words, language based communication involves the use of spoken or written language as a medium of expression (26).
Verbal communication may take an oral form in which human speech organs are used to produce sounds or a written form in which human muscles are used to produce symbols (letters of the alphabet and words).
Oral Communication.
James et al identify three perspectives of oral communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal and group communication situations. Let us consider them overleaf.
CHAPTER TWO -- [Total Page(s) 6]
Page 1 of 6
-
-
ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]AbstractIt is observed in many organizations that there has been the problem of ineffective language communication. This has adversely affected the management and subsequent performance level of these organizations. Opinions expressed by several scholars revealed that effective language communication played a very important role in the efficient management of an organization. This fact laid the basic foundation for this research. This study therefore, investigated the impact of effective ... Continue reading---
APPENDIX A - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Appendix A
Faculty of Arts, Department of English Language and Literature, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.Dear Sir/Madam, Request for y ... Continue reading---
APPENDIX B - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]Works CitedAkpovi, S.U. Behavioural Science for Organizational Management.Benin City: Ambik Press, 2000.Aniemeka, G.I. Fundamentals of Public Administration. Onitsha: Osyora Nigeria Limited, 2003.Arhagba, E.E. Communication Basics: An Insight intoOrganizational Communication. Effurun: Shelfa International Limited, 1996.Burgoon, G. and T. Saine. Communication in Languages:Multiple Perspectives. London: Sage Publication, 2007.Dahnke, G.L. and G.W. Clatterbuck. Human Communication: Theory And Resea ... Continue reading---
TABLE OF CONTENTS - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Table of ContentsPageTitle Page Approval PageDedicationAcknowledgements Abstract Table of Contents List of Tables/Figure Chapter One: Introduction1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Statement of Problem 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1.4 Significance of the Study 1.5 Scope of the Study 1.6 Research Questions 1.7 Definition of Terms Chapter Two: Review of Literature2.1 The Concept of Language and Communication 2.2 The Relationship ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER ONE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]It has been observed also that in the aforementioned Polytechnic, there exists a great gap between the Principal Officers and the other staff members. For example, in the Registry, where we have the Registrar as the Chief Administrative Officer, the next most Senior Administrative Staff happens to be a Senior Assistant Registrar, (no Principal Assistant Registrar, no Deputy Registrar in between).The above situations already described, usually result in conflicts and even hinder individual job pe ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER THREE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]A total of two hundred (200) staff members make up the research sample of the study.3.4 Research InstrumentThe instrument for this project is basically a draft questionnaire (see appendix). Before the questionnaire was prepared, the researcher had in mind the objectives the questionnaire was expected to accomplish.A total of two hundred(200) questionnaire were administered to senior and junior staff of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.Section A of the questionnaire was to collect respo ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER FOUR - [ Total Page(s): 11 ]Research Question 2Poor communication adversely affects job performance in Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.The response to question two (2) above is shown in the table below.The above reveals that a majority of the respondents, i.e153 out of 200, agree with the assertion that poor communication adversely affect job performance in Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. This clearly indicates that members of staff cannot efficiently carry out their respective duties if they are poorly communic ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER FIVE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]Chapter FiveSummary, Conclusion and Recommendations5.1 SummaryThis study is on the impact of effective management through language communication in an organization. Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku was used as a study. The research sample for this work consists of staff members (both Academic and Non-Academic) from sixteen (16) departments of the Polytechnic.To accomplish this investigation, the researcher employed the use of questionnaire to source for information. Eight (8) research ... Continue reading---
