Barriers in Communication
Language, experience, maturity and adaptability are all barriers that affect our ability to communicate well with others. Working in the United States, more than any other country in the world, we encounter people who speak many different languages. We also encounter many who have varying degrees of experience. Each person is at a different level of maturity and also displays diversity in their ability to adapt. During the course of this essay, I plan to focus on these four barriers as I have personal experience associated with each.
Before I share some of my experiences, I must define how these terms will associate with my experiences. First of all a barrier is defined as any natural obstacle which stops or obstructs passage, defends from foes, prevents access, or produces separation; a separating boundary-line (Online source). Communication is defined as the imparting, conveying, or exchange of ideas, knowledge, information, etc. whether by speech, writing, or signs (Online source). When you put these two together you understand that natural obstacles obstruct the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information.
Language as a barrier is very common in the United States. The most common language barrier I encounter is between communicators of the English and Spanish languages. There are also encounters with people who speak Pumjabi, Philipino and Korean. When I realize that the common bond I share with these people, beyond humanity, is the ability to communicate; I
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realize how important it is to attempt to communicate with them. Working in the insurance industry, it is very common to come into contact with those that do not speak English.
The people I work with have had different experiences in their professional and personal lives. Some may have been with the same company for 30 years. Others have been hired right out of college. Some have had numerous experiences with other work environments. Others understand only a small number of work environments. All personal circumstances are unique. All these experiences, or lack of, contribute to any communication barriers that may exist between coworkers.
Maturity levels among communicators can also affect how communication is perceived. An older person may misinterpret how a younger person responds to something said. A younger person may take something very personal, not yet experiencing a common response or action by someone else. Lack of control in temper can also produce a barrier among communicators. Because maturity doesnft necessarily have to do with age, people of all ages can contribute to maturity being an obstruction.
A person with adaptability is one who has the quality of being adaptable; capacity of being adapted or of adapting oneself; potential fitness. Adapt means to alter or modify so as to fit for a new use (Online source).
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