Shared Meaning

The Late Professor Aggrey Brown

      

Its interesting the definition used by the late Prof. Aggrey Brown to define communication. He states communication as "the interactive transference of shared meanings between intelligences." The definition gives a broad definition to communication at first glance. But isn't the process of communication broad. Do we not communicate in so many ways, with so many tools and to so many people? Let's take a look at the definition and see how it applies to today's world. 

       Brown's definiton looks at the interactive transference. This means that the process is not one sided or one dimensional. It must occur between parties and as such the process is social. A man does not talk to a pole (unless he is a pole whisperer.LOL!).  Transference looks at the way the message is sent. There are so many mediums that can be used and we can send messages in so many different ways, verbally or non-verbally, electronically, digitally or analog. 

         We must then look at the meaning of the message. This meaning Brown emphasises must be shared. Shared meaning looks at the parties involved in the communication process understanding what the other is saying. They may not agree on the meaning but they do understand what the other is trying to say. And then we come to intelligences. (I'm smiling here because I remember the movie A.I.) Intelligences refer to the parties involved in the process of communication. You may say that only humans communicate but that can be disputed. Intelligences can be any entity which is able to receive and process a meaning and give feedback. (See communication process below)

Taken from: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/images/pptip_complete_communication-1.png

     

         Let's look at Oshane and his pet dog Spot. Oshane gives spot the command to sit and Spot sits. The process of communication has occurred because Oshane has interacted with Spot, given him a message and he has gotten feedback.

     So looking at it, communication may seem to be a simple process but it isn't. There are so many factors and we will be covering these as time goes by.