Oral Communication: Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages

Oral Communication

Meaning of Oral Communication:

Oral communication refers to sending and receiving messages, information, opinions or suggestions to be expressed through speaking words is known as 'Oral Communication' it is also termed as Verbal and informal Communication.

Oral communication is considered as direct communication where speakers transmit their messages or information by speaking words. The process of transmitting messages to the recipient takes place within a few seconds. This is the reason why it is more confidential and suitable in critical conditions.

The major  benefit of Oral communication is when two people or a group of people come into contact personally which enhances mutual relationship between them and through this method people are able to convey their views, opinions or any kind of suggestion personally or face-to-face.

Advantages of Oral Communication

Oral communication has several advantages are given in following points below:

1. Oral communication generally saves time of transmission of messages. It is a quick and fast process as compared to written communication.

2. Through oral communication people come into contact personally therefore it is possible to build a coordination and healthy relationship between them.

3.  Oral communication boosts morale and curiosity between people to communicate informally.

4. The process of receiving  feedback is  immediate. Here the listener puts their queries regarding any issue in front of the communicator and the speaker finds out that the solution of their queries is also immediate.

5. Oral communication is more suitable and reliable in comparison to written communication because it takes a few seconds to transmit messages.

6. Managers or business executives communicate their views, opinions, and suggestions with their subordinates informally thus it is most suitable manner to motivate and persuade their subordinates. 

7. People come into information through oral communication and thus their behavior, gestures, body language, their voice and pitch is observed.

Disadvantages of Oral Communication

There are following points of limitations of oral communication are given below:

1. As the transmission of messages takes a few seconds but the major limitations of oral communication is it leaks information immediately.

 2. Oral communication is suitable to communicate personally or face-to-face but at long distances the messages which are to be transmitted may be not properly received or increase ambiguity in clear understanding.

3. Communication between sender and receiver is a speedy process and thus the listener has no time to think and make any decision immediately. 

4. Oral communication is effective when there is effective listening without effective listening, no meaningful messages exchanged.

5. Written communication is considered as evidence for future reference. Here, in oral communication there is nothing to store for future reference because it is distorted and can be changed easily.

Note: The above used picture is not my individual or personal property, it is generally used for illustration purpose.

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