The Art
There is much debate about how modern technology has affected the way we communicate and if it has improved or been detrimental to the art of communication. In the 21st century, the human race has more ways to communicate than ever before. This includes the use of the internet, the mobile phone, television and radio, as well as written and spoken communication. With all these methods, why do some argue that the art of communication has been lost? This essay will discuss how the internet has affected this art but it has not been lost but simply modified.
Communication can be defined in many different ways, so in turn the definition of the art of communication can vary. The word communication is from the Latin verb communicare, which means ‘to share’ (Soanes & Stevenson 2003, p. 349) and is defined in the Oxford Dictionary of English as “the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium” (Soanes & Stevenson 2003, p.349). Another definition states that communication is “the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs…something imparted, interchanged, or transmitted” (Dictionary.com, 2010). However communication can be so much more than these simple and somewhat impersonal dictionary definitions. All species of animal communicate, however humans are the only species to have developed and updated communication methods beyond those that come naturally to us. Speech, writing and drawing have been continually developed through history, in conjunction with technology, engineering and science. The biggest change in communication has come about with the popularisation of the internet.
The internet has had the largest impact on communication in the 21st century. You are more likely to receive an e-card from ecards.com than one in the mail. Studies have shown that e-mail is the preferred method of communication and is replacing face-to-face, phone and memo in different areas of
Communication can be defined in many different ways, so in turn the definition of the art of communication can vary. The word communication is from the Latin verb communicare, which means ‘to share’ (Soanes & Stevenson 2003, p. 349) and is defined in the Oxford Dictionary of English as “the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium” (Soanes & Stevenson 2003, p.349). Another definition states that communication is “the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs…something imparted, interchanged, or transmitted” (Dictionary.com, 2010). However communication can be so much more than these simple and somewhat impersonal dictionary definitions. All species of animal communicate, however humans are the only species to have developed and updated communication methods beyond those that come naturally to us. Speech, writing and drawing have been continually developed through history, in conjunction with technology, engineering and science. The biggest change in communication has come about with the popularisation of the internet.
The internet has had the largest impact on communication in the 21st century. You are more likely to receive an e-card from ecards.com than one in the mail. Studies have shown that e-mail is the preferred method of communication and is replacing face-to-face, phone and memo in different areas of
References: #1 Chat Avenue n.d., #1 Chat Avenue, viewed 7 April 2010, http://www.chat-avenue.com/ Copher, J.I., Kanfer, A.G., & Walker, M.B. 2002, ‘Everyday Communication Patterns of Heavy and Light Email Users’, in The Internet in Everyday Life, ed. Wellman, B. & Haythornwaite, C. the Information Age Series, Blackwell Publishing, India Dictionary.com n.d., ‘communication’ in Dictionary.com Unabridged, 28 March 2010, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communication Gaddo. K 7 April 2010, Twitter, viewed 7 April 2010, http://twitter.com/cloudmx Otago Daily Times 12 March 2010, Twitter no timewaster when other line of communication fail, viewed 7 April 2010, http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/97200/twitter-no-timewaster-when-other-line-communication-fail Reisinger, D 9 February 2009, How the Web is killing my ability to communicate, viewed 8 April 2009, http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10159372-2.html Soanes, C & Stevenson, A 2003, Oxford Dictionary of English Second Edition, William Clowes Ltd., Great Britain, p. 349