User:Mingzu Zhang/Decoding Communication

Below is what I plan to add to the article Decoding communication. The communication process is in which the sender encodes messages, transmits to the receiver through channels, after which the receiver decodes the message and gives feedback. Decoding communication is a necessary part of the whole communication process. When decoding communication, the receiver interprets the message from the sender. Successful communication takes place only if the receiver gets the same or similar understanding of the message with the sender. The most common influencer of decoding communication is noise, which usually occurs in the transmitting channel. "Interference, or noise, can distort marketing messages. Factors such as poor reception, poor print quality, problems with a server, or a low battery can interfere with your getting messages". Factors that can also influence decoding communication includes religions, personality, growth environment, educational level, and social status.

During the decoding process, different religious beliefs can cause different understandings or even offensive content. In order to avoid misunderstanding, it is important for both the sender and the receiver to get an idea of one another's religious background and be more tolerant if there is any opposite point. Different personalities, which are related to people's growth environment, make a difference in the decoding process as well. Because receivers usually interpret the message according to their own experience and preferences. Also, the educational gap, which is usually the consequence of the gap of wealth, may lead to a poor understanding between the sender and the receiver. Different social statuses often lead to different life experiences, which can also influence decoding communication. For example, a beggar may not be able to get a full understanding of the speech made by a presidential candidate.

Common languages make communication, especially decoding communication, turn easier. Graham Williamson said on this topic: "Any language is a code: a method by which sounds are associated with meanings and meanings with sounds. All that is required – so the model claims – is that the people communicating with each other share the same code (e.g. English, Swahili, Urdu). In this way, they can encode meanings into sounds and decode the sounds into their meanings". Other than verbal languages, non-verbal languages also benefit decoding. Gestures, facial expressions, eye contacts, and body movements are helpful when the receiver decodes messages.

The most common example of decoding communication form life is when a consumer saw an advertisement and then go for the product which is introduced by the advertisement. In this case, the consumer receives the message transmitted by the advertisement and then interprets it, and finally gets an understanding of the message. After the decoding process, the consumer will then decide whether to go for the product or not.

Decoding communication helps with people's everyday communication. Without decoding communication, it will be impossible for people to pass on knowledge, skills, and traditions, or carry out daily communication.