What are the semantic and linguistic barriers to communication

Answer By Amit

The Semantic barrier in communication can be defined as the misunderstanding and interpretation of meaning which restrict effective communication. It can be in form of language, sign and symbol. The word semantic is credited to the Greek word “semantikos” which indicates “significant”. Semantics is a broad interdisciplinary study which deals with philosophical and logical understanding behind the language. The Semantic barrier can be caused in every type of communication. The variations of meaning in language are visible between individuals in minor and cultures in major. Thus semantic barrier is an important element in communication theories at different levels. Differences in dialect, cultural differences, body language, and the choice of word, pronunciation differences and spelling errors are the main causes of a semantic barrier.

Communication scholars like Garfinkel (1984), Jovchelovitch (1995;2007) and Lunenburg (2010) studied on semantic barrier of communication and explained how it affects the interpersonal and social relations. For an example, the conversation between two close friends about their day will be meaningful between them but it is impossible for an outsider to understand. This is not because the outsider can’t follow the language (text) but the relationship between text and situation (context). Similar kind of communication barrier is found in understanding concepts also. For example, Socialism is a broad political and social concept where the control and regulation of society and economy are by the community as a whole regardless of caste, religion and class. But one who follows Gandhian ideology, the understanding of socialist state is where people belong to various caste, religion and caste are treated equally and lead as a single community regardless of their differences.

Types of Semantic Barrier

There are two types of semantic barrier of communication. They are as follows:

Denotative barriers which are based on and caused by the direct meaning of a word. Thesekinds of barriers happen when sender and receiver disagree with the meaning of the word. The word “comment” for new generation Facebook users are different from the older generation who never used or aware of social media networking websites.

Connotative barriers refer to the differences in the meaning of the defined word. In addition to its exact or lexical meaning, words also acquire implied meanings called connotative meanings. Connotations are understood based only on an individual’s experience. Here both sender and receivers are aware of the meaning of the word but the disagreement occurs when the context, situation and emotion behind the word will be different. The meaning of the word does not arise by itself but in the relation between the text and the context. This barrier becomes much complicated since the significant meaning needs a mutual level of understanding for effective communication. For example, in the context of instant messaging, the popular reply words like “ok” or “hmm” are used as giving feedback. The word “hmm”(non-lexical filler) from receiver provides agreement with the sender but also leaves a space for disagreement in the new media scene.