Title: Concepts of communication
Course: Health Education, Advocacy and Community Mobilisation Part 1 - Ethiopia (Full)

Concepts of communication

Different writers define communication in different ways although the central concept remains the same. The word communication is derived from the Latin word 'communis' which means to form a common ground of understanding, to share information, ideas or attitudes and to impart or transmit information. The common feature of these definitions is the transmission or exchange of information. Communication implies the sharing of meaning among those who are communicating. To engage in communication is therefore to engage in the process by which two or more people exchange ideas, facts, feelings or impressions, so that each gains a common or mutual understanding of the meaning and use of a message.