Communication plays a major role in everyone's life. From the time we wake in the morning and catch the news or the traffic report, until the time we kiss our loved ones good night, we will encounter the many different elements of communication.

Communication is defined as "The art and technique of using words effectively in imparting ones ideas. ¨ (American, 1997). In order for communication to be effective all information must be presented in such a fashion that others understand. Effective communication not only can help us solve problems but can also improve lives. However, when the communication breaks down and barriers go up, the possibility of jeopardizing the success of the people you come in contact everyday.

Understanding the meaning of communication and the underlying factors creating communication barriers and how they can affect our personal and professional lives can

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Webster's world of cultural policy. (2001). [Online Web site] Available WWW.http://

Some people can appear very direct when they communicate or very indirect and vague. If a person is the type of person who, when they speak, seem a little harsh and sometimes overbearing, this can cause others to stay away or it can cause bad feelings. A good understanding of cultures and personalities is crucial to interpersonal communication.

Communication technology is a growing trend in the business world and our personal lives. Communicating using technology can create barriers.

Verbal communication is the most obvious. When we communicate verbally, our choice of words are important. If the receiver of the message cannot decipher the words, it serves no real purpose. Speaking clearly and tone of voice is important. The tone we use to speak can make the message meaningful, exciting or boring. Tone can express calm, anger, sincerity, or untruth. Verbal communication is usually pretty basic if the tone and words match.

When we communicate, words are quite often the medium of choice. Different words may have a different meaning to different people. These differences are known as cultural barriers. In every country, different social groups use different dialects of their native language. Language differences can sometimes makes it difficult to communicate effectively. Webster's World of Cultural Democracy defines culture as the "values and principles, which guide any social entity in cultural affairs" (2001). People are not born with culture; it is learned through our upbringing and what we are exposed to. When people come from different backgrounds what may seem acceptable to one may be unacceptable to others (Ismail, 2002).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1870
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)