100% found this document useful (1 vote)
470 views39 pages

GST 110 Lib. & Com

The document discusses the following key points: 1. GST 110 is a first semester course for year one students covering the use of the library and English. 2. The document provides learning guides and highlights texts that may be included in tests. 3. It describes the objectives, types, functions, and units of the FUTMinna library. 4. The circulation unit handles user registration, book borrowing/returning, and overdue notices. 5. Organization of knowledge through classification and cataloguing is discussed as retrieval devices

Uploaded by

Muhammed Umar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
100% found this document useful (1 vote)
470 views39 pages

GST 110 Lib. & Com

The document discusses the following key points: 1. GST 110 is a first semester course for year one students covering the use of the library and English. 2. The document provides learning guides and highlights texts that may be included in tests. 3. It describes the objectives, types, functions, and units of the FUTMinna library. 4. The circulation unit handles user registration, book borrowing/returning, and overdue notices. 5. Organization of knowledge through classification and cataloguing is discussed as retrieval devices

Uploaded by

Muhammed Umar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 39

HomeAbout UsHandoutsLatest InfoPastExams Q A

COURSE INTRODUCTION
(USE OF ENGLISH I AND LIBRARY (Core, 3 Units)

GST 110 (3 credit load) is a fist semester course of year one students
of the Federal University of Technology Minna. The course covers
two major aspects (i) The use of library and (ii) use of English

LEARNING GUIDES

Texts colored in GREEN are answers to repeated questions in GST


110 and it also highlight FAQ in GST 110

Text highlighted in RED forms headings or texts with likelihood of


question(s) been asked in a GST 110 tests from the InfoMAS point
of view.

However, the infoMAS should not be held culpable wherein the


lecturer declined to ask questions from any of the predicted texts.

WE ACKNOWLEDGED THE OWNERS OF THIS LECTURE


NOTE; LIBRARY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FUTMinna AND
ANTICIPATE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION

GST 110
USE OF LIBRARY:
STUDY OBJECTIVE

At the end of this course, students are expected to have good


understanding of the followings;

1. Nature and Concept of Library (Introduction)

2. The library users.

3. The five fundamental laws of librarianship.

4. The importance of the course �Use of Library�

5. Aims and objectives of user education. Types of Libraries.

6. The charging system.

7. Functions of a University Library.

INTRODUCTION

The library has undergone different stages in its development process


through in consonance with its original purpose i.e. the preservation of
records, history, culture wealth and renowned scholars in the society.
Today libraries are not only depositories or store house or mere
buildings for selected few but are agents of education, socioeconomic
and political changes for all and sundry.

Thus with an expansion in scope and definition, the functions of library


have expanded extensively, more also with increasing development in
the printing media, it is now charged with acquisition, organization,
preservation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of knowledge.

TYPES OF LIBRARY

Different types of library exist so as to serve different systems or


organiza5tions. Thus, libraries exist to aid in the achievement of the
aims and objectives of the institutions and organizations which they are
established.

There are about five types of libraries but more emphases will
be laid on the academic/university library for the purpose of this course.
The following are the different types of libraries.

1. Special Libraries : They are established in specialized institution


like the school, for the handicapped, NNPC, etc

2. Private Libraries They are libraries that are owned or developed


by renowned individuals e.g. Lt. Chief Awolowo Library, etc.

3. School Libraries They are libraries in the Primary/Secondary


Schools set up.

4. The Academic/University Libraries They are libraries that are


established in tertiary institutions. Their collections reflect the aims and
the objectives of the institution which they are established e.g. Federal
University of Technology Library, Minna.

FUNCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY


Access: -Information requirements of the University

community continuously through formal and informal means


with all segments of the university


 To select from available information sources most needed

items by the University Community.


To interpret and publicize other range of information and

educative services to benefit the University community.


To acquire, organize and arrange these information

sources in such a way to make physical usage easy and


conducive to users


To make available and publicize other information

services through inter-library loan.


To anticipate and provide information needs according to

the changing pattern of the university.

FUTMinna Library

The library was established in 1984. It was set up to support


teaching and research and has the following units

The Administrative Unit: This Unit houses the office of the University
Librarian who is the Administrative head of the University Library and a
Principal office in the University system. This Unit deals with records
and things that pertain to the administration of the library. This
Unit is the policy making of the University Library

The Collection/Development Unit: This deals with the selection and


the buying of library materials

The Catalogue and Classification Unit: This unit deals with the
processing of books i.e the cataloguing and classification of Library
materials.

The Serials Unit:

This is where various journals subscribed for the library are processed
and shelved for the library users.

Reference Units: This unit deals with the provision of specialized


services.

Reserve Unit:

This is where study materials that are in short supply and are highly used
are kept for consultation. They are not to be borrowed out.

The Circulation Unit:

For the purpose of this course, more emphases will also be given to this
unit since the unit deals more often with the users in their day to day use
of the materials in the library.

The Circulation unit of the library is the integral part of the


library. It is a division or an arm of the reader�s service section of
the library which also include the reference and the reserve units.

Thus the unit carries out the following function;

- Registration of all new library users

- Keeping records of books borrowed and those returned

- Taking note of when the materials borrowed are due back the
library

- Keeping the statistics of the units activities

- Sending over-due notice to defaulting library users who failed to


return the borrowed library books after stipulated time.

- Checking users on their way out of the library to make sure that
library books are not taken out unlawfully.

THE CHARGING SYSTEM

For registered user to borrow a book successfully from the library,


the following process must be followed:

- The user brings the book from the shelve

- Shows his/her ID and borrower�s card to staff concern


- The staff stamps the date due stamp at the date due slip on the
right hand side of the book

- Stamps the date due also on the book card

- Then the book card is put inside the borrower�s card and filed
according to the date due.

For students, only two books (2) books are allowed to be borrowed at
a time and for two weeks only

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF USER EDUCATION

(a) Long Term Objectives

o To ensure that the user can exploit resources adequately and to


his own satisfaction

o To established a link between the subject taught and the library


resources available;

o To develop in the user confidence in the use of library and in


library staff

o To enable students to be independent in his information seeking

o Saving them (student) time by making them aware of the most


useful reference source for their subject.

o To develop skills in finding information, identifying and locating


bibliographic references for specification purpose.

o To teach effective method of approach to information library


search situation.
o To encourage users to ask for assistance.

(b) Short Term Objectives

o To be aware of the existence of the university library, what it


contains and when it is open;

o To have the ability to locate books, handbooks, encyclopedia,


dictionaries, periodicals and photocopying areas

ORGANIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE

Modern society is said to be an age of information or knowledge


explosion. Some forces which led into this �explosion� are many and
varied. They include progress made in science and technology
improvement in printing and paper technology, speedy communications
such as radio, television, telephone and others. It also includes world
trade and industries, commerce and various government activities from
the local councils to the federal levels. For one to find the information
one needs within the huge mass of information now available it becomes
very difficult. If information or knowledge is to be easily accessible to
those who need it, it must be organized.

Today, information is recorded in different and separately published


media emerging from hundreds of thousands of sources all over the
world.

To be able to track down particular information a prospective user


needs tools or techniques used by information scientist and documents to
make things easy for the users. This is known as RETRIEVAL
DEVICE. Retrieval devices are carried out in two ways;

1) Classification

2) Cataloguing
CLASSIFICATION:

Classification is the putting together of similar things. It is the


arrangement of things according to their likeness or unlikeness. It is
sorting and grouping of things.

Book classification as defined by Arthur Maltby is

�the systematic arrangement by subject of books and


other materials on shelves or catalogue and index in

the manner which is most useful to those who need

or seek a definite piece of information�

According to W. C. B Sayers classification is

�the arrangement of book on shelves or descriptions


of them in the manner which is most useful to those

who read�

TYPES OF LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION SCHEME

Library classification scheme or schedules include the following.

1. Dewy Decimal Classification Scheme (DDC)

2. Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LC)

3. Universal Decimal Classification Scheme (UDC)

4. Bliss Classification Scheme

5. Colon Classification Scheme

However, there are some classification schemes that are locally


designed to suit a particular environment or library. These are sometimes
called Abridged Classification Scheme.

FUNCTION OF A LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION SCHEME

- It helps the reader to identify and locate a book through a


classification mark or call number or call mark

- It helps to group all books of a kind together

- Through the medium of catalogue, analysis the content of books


for readers.

- It is a time saving device for both the reader and the Liberian

- It is also useful in compiling biography

NOTATION

No book classification scheme can function without notation. Notation


is a shorthand system. It is a sign or symbol used in classification to
represent the classes and subdivisions of classes in a classification
scheme.

A notation may consist of any symbol(s), letters, figures or signs to


represent the terms of classification scheme. There are two types of
notation

a) PURE: Consisting of one kind of symbol e.g. Dewy Decimal


Classification (DDC) has a pure notation, using only Arabic figures

b) MIXED: Consist of two or more kinds of symbols e.g. Library of


Congress (LC) uses a mixed notation or letters and figures

The pure notation of numbers has advantages in that it conveys order


and it is relatively simple. It has the disadvantages of being restrictive
i.e. Knowledge has to be divided into a part (10 if the zero is used) and
each subject has to be subdivided into ( 9 or 10 parts)

QUALITIES OF A GOOD NOTATION

A good notation should

a. Convey order

b. Be brief and simple

c. Be easy to write and recall

d. Be flexible

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SCHEME (LC)

This classification scheme uses alphabets and figures to organize


knowledge. This means that it can derive up to 26 letters. It uses simple
alpha bets for main CLASSES and operating alphabets for its subclass
and each of the subclass can be subdivided to specific topics.

OUTLINE OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (LC)


CLASSIFICATION SCHEME

A: General Work

B: Philosophy and Psychology

C: Auxiliary Sciences of History

D: General History and Old World

E � F: American History

G: Geography, Anthropology

H: Social Science
J: Political Science

K: Law

L: Education

M: Music

N: Fine Art

P: Language and Literature

Q: Science

R: Medicine

S: Agriculture

T: Technology

U: Military Science

V: Natural Science

Z: Bibliography and Library Science

SUBCLASSES

Each of the main classes with the exception of Classes E- F and Z


is divided into subclass, representing disciplines or major branches of
the class

Class Q for example is divided into the following subclasses

Q: Science

QA: Mathematics
QB: Astronomy

QC: Physics

QD: Chemistry

QE: Geology

QH: Natural History (General)

QK: Botany

QL: Zoology

QM: Human Anatomy

QP: Physiology

QR: Microbiology

Class T, for example is divided into the following subclasses;

T: Technology (General)

TA: Engineering (General)

TC: Hydraulic Engineering

TD: Environmental Technology

TE: Highway Engineering

TF: Road Engineering

TG: Bridge Engineering

TH: Building Construction

TJ: Mechanical Engineering


TK: Electrical Engineering

TL: Motor Vehicles

TN: Mining Engineering

TP: Chemical Technology

TR: Photography

TS: Manufactures

TT: Handcraft

TX: Home Economics

Class N for Example is divided into the following subclasses;

N: Visual Arts

NA: Architecture

NB: Sculpture

NC: Drawing, Design and Illustration

ND: Painting

NE:` Printing Media

NK: Decorative Arts, Applied Arts etc.

NX: Arts in General

Class S is divided into the following subclasses:

S: Agriculture (General)

SB: Plant Culture


SD: Forestry

SF: Animal Culture

SH: Agriculture and Fisheries

DIVISION

Each subclass is further divided into division representing


components of the subclass. For example, the subclass �Chemistry�
has the following division

QD: Chemistry

23 � 26 Alchemy Chemistry

71 � 42 Analytical Chemistry

146 � 197 Inorganic Chemistry

450 � 731 Physical Chemistry

901 � 999 Crystallography

This page is made possible by infoMAS

Information Management and Administrator System

Owners of http://futmininfo.phn.me

and also admin FUTMinna Informant

on Facebook http://facebook.com/o1425

SUBDIVISIONS

Again each of the divisions in turn has subdivisions specifying


different aspect of the subject such as Form, Time, Place and further
subjects� subdivisions for example

FORM:

English prose, drama, poetry

TIME:

Victorian English; 1800 Nigerian History

PLACE:

German Literature, American Encyclopedias

As stated earlier, the library of congress classification scheme notation


is mixed. i.e. Letter and numbers. Usually, main classes are represented
by a capital Letter and a second capital letter is used to show the
subclass.

e.g.

T: Technology

TH: Building Technology and building engineering is a subclass of T.

But this is not the case with classes E, F, and Z which have only a letter
and are used integrally from 1 � 999 with gaps to accommodate new
subjects or topics as they arise. Decimal points are used for further
subdivisions and yet further arrangement is often alphabetical using
cutter number after a point.

CATALOGUE

A catalogue in librarianship is a retrieval device. It is a means


through which information is stored and obtained from the library.
Catalogue is the process of making entry into the catalogue. A
catalogue can also be defined as a comprehensive list or collection of
reading materials in a particular library or groups of libraries. It
records all the bibliography information of each readings material within
the library for easy identification and retrieval.

Cataloguing and classification are complementary retrieval


devices. While one describes the item, the other puts them in an order
that facilitates retrieval within a short time.

FORMS OF CATALOGUE

There are different forms of catalogue such as the Card, the


Sheaf, the Book and the Computer Catalogue However, the most
generally accepted and used forms are the card, the book and the
sheaf.

CARD CATALOGUE: It comprises a set of slips held in specially


manufactured loose binders. This type of catalogue is not however
popular with the Nigerian libraries.

BOOK CATALOGUE: Is a conventionally printed catalogue


containing several entries on each page and usually in two columns.
They are printed and bound in a book form. Some special libraries use
book catalogue. It is not suitable for rapidly changing collection, but it
can be updated by producing new editions.

FUNCTIONS OF CATALOGUE

- It records each work that is received in the library

- It arranges all entries by the same author in the same place

- It provides call numbers that are used in retrieving information


materials

- It arranges subject entries in such a way it all related topics are


brought together.
- It provides cross-reference to guide the users.

- It describes each book or reading materials the library by a given


author title and subject.

AUTHOR

This is the person responsible for the intellectual as well as artistic


production of the contents of a document.

TITLE

This is a word or phrase appearing in publication, naming the production


or work contain in it.

IMPRINT

This is dealing with the following

- Place of publication

- The name of publisher

- Date of publication

COLLATION

This has to do with

(a) Pagination or number of volume

(b) Information of pagination illustration diagram

(c) Size of the book

SERIES

If the book is in series it has to be stated e.g. Library Science Series


NOTES

This refers to a brief description of the book and it comes after collection
and series

ISBN

This stands for International Standard Book Number. It is important for


ordering books

TRACING

There are added entry readings e.g. Joint author, subject, title etc.

There are three types of catalogue namely;

Author/Title Catalogue

The Classified Catalogue

The Subject Catalogue

AUTHOR/TITLE CATALOGUE

This catalogue exercise is applicable on the materials where the


author�s name or title is known. It is alphabetically arranged.

CLASSIFIED CATALOGUE

This is the type of catalogue where the entries are arranged using the
notation of the library materials.

SUBJECT CATALOGUE

This is the type of catalogue that is arranged according to the subjects.


This is equally arranged in an alphabetical order.

REFERENCE SERVICES
In every institution of higher learning, Library is regarded as the
backbone of the Institution. Similarly, a reference unit of every
library is regarded as the backbone of that library. Thus, one can
argue that a reference unit of every library serves as that Library�s
mirror, because this unit is usually the firs part of call of every Library.

However, in the 9th century, one probably would have been


satisfied to define Library work as the process of answering questions.
But because of the rapid changes that are taking place in information
technology and indeed, in all fields of human endeavour, this definition
is now simplistic. Hence, there may be as many definitions as there are
Liberians. Nevertheless, we optionally define reference work as the
personal assistance given by Liberian to individual readers who are in
pursuit of information. This involves not only locating the material
where the required information can be found but also locating the
information and sorting out what information is relevant from a mass of
relevant and irrelevant information.

In short, reference service is the springboard to the library and


Librarianship wherein one is involved with all aspects of information
both theoretical and practical. In Library services, failures to locate any
required information have the same effect. A satisfied user on the other
hand, serves as a public relations officer for the Library. Thus
�assistant to reader� is a great big tent of a phrase that embraces an
enormous range and variety of activities. Many users want to know more
and more about less and less; they want to acquire more knowledge and
they want more about their society and their historical culture.

TYPES OF REFERENCES SOURCES

Reference sources could be divided into two main classes�


compilation of kind or another which furnish information directly and
compilations that refer to other sources containing information which
merely indicate places in which information may be found. Sources of
the first type include dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries,
almanacs, newspapers, handbooks, geographical sources, biological
sources, magazines and gazettes while sources of the second type
include; catalogue, bibliographies and index.

REFERENCE TOOL/BOOKS

A reference book is an intellectual work that is to be looked up for


specific information; that is not meant to be read through and that has an
array of disjointed entries which are alphabetically arranged. Examples
of such tools are;

a) Encyclopedia

b) Dictionary

c) Geographical Sources

A. ENCYCLOPEDIA

It inform a user the origin and development of a particular subject or


topic. It also helps a user to have a fair idea of any subject he/she is
reading. There are two types of encyclopedia namely;

Subject and General Encyclopedia

The subject encyclopedias are usually detailed and comprehensive


while the General encyclopedia carries shallow and basic articles. The
subject encyclopedias are normally long articles and they concentrate on
special fields of study. Thus they are meant for specialist, elites, students
and researchers. On the other hand, the general encyclopedias try to
cover general field(s) factual articles and they are meant for the general
public, layman and the beginners. Finally, the subject encyclopedias cost
more than the general encyclopedia.

Biographical Sources:

These are important reference materials where life histories of persons


or individuals are documented. There are two types of biographies.
1. Special biographies e.g. �who is chemistry�

2. General biographies e.g. �the international who�s who�

B. DICTIONARY SOURCES:

These are publications containing words or languages defining or


explaining different terms of various professions. They are usually
arranged according to a definite order � that is, in an A � Z order. In
other words, these reference tool carry the meanings, pronunciation,
spellings etc. of various terms in different areas of specialization.

USES OF DICTIONARY

(1) They express usage of


A:span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"p class="MsoNormal";

words in different conteL:/pspan style="font-size: 16.0pt;" /bp


class="MsoNormal"xt e.g. current slang

(2) They carry meaning of words, expressions etc.

(3) They contain pronunciation of words.

(4) They contain antonyms and synonyms, abbreviations, acronym,


sign and symbols

(5) They contain major places or names e.g. politics, history etc.

(6) They check spellings, syllables etc.

(7) They carry meanings of foreign terms in a language and

(8) They provide important quotations

C. GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCES

These are the reference materials that are mainly used by the
travelers. The types of tourist, colours, surveyors, prospects for minerals
e.t.c.

The kinds of geographical sources are atlas, maps, globes, travel guide
and directories.

The types of maps are;

a) Region

b) Physical

c) Historical

d) Economics

e) Social Maps.

The types of directories are;

a) telephone

b) address

c) parks

d) hotel directories

D. SERIAL

A serial is defined by the American Library Association as �a


publication issued in successive parts, usually at regulars and as a rule
intended to be continued indefinitely.

There are different types of serials which


include periodicals/journals, Newspapers, Magazines, Reports
(Annuals), Memoirs, Proceedings, Treaties, Transactions of
societies etc. Examples of journals are; Journal of Engineering
mechanics, Crop Production an International Journal of Pest disease and
weed control; The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Nigerian
Journal of Physics.

Periodicals/Journals (both can be interchangeably as they means the


same things. Periodical is for the Americans, while Journal is for
British), are the most common of all the serials available in the library.
This is so because all the latest researches made by the scholars in the
areas of their specializations are first of all published in the journals. So
in almost all the branches of knowledge periodicals can always be
published. Thus, periodical could be regarded as spearhead of current
human knowledge.

TYPES OF PERIODICALS

Periodicals are of two types, primary and secondary or non


primary type.

The Primary Sources/types

These are those periodicals exclusively devoted to carrying articles or


reports on new discoveries or development. They are so called because
the articles appearing in them represent the original thinking of the
researchers.

The Secondary Source

The are those periodicals that are meant for news generation, recreation
and entertainment they also specialize in interpreting and providing
opinions on new developments.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PERIODICAL

They contain authentic articles by contributors especially scholars (the


articles are usually signed).

The articles contain in the periodicals are the main means of


communication for the exchange of scientific current information than
books. Information on new processes or discoveries appears in a
periodical within weeks of their formulation. This is contrary to books
which take two to three years before they are published.

They help researchers to be up to date and well informed of the new


developments.

They also help researchers to avoid duplication as new discoveries are


promptly reported.

They help to bridge the gap between the books and the day to day
developments.

Above all, they are mostly issued by the professional


bodies/organizations.

ORGANIZATIONS OF PERIODICALS

When periodicals are acquired, they are processed for easy retrieval by
the users.

The serials unit has a Kadex, where each title of a periodical is entered
on a card. When the periodicals are received the date of receipt is
indicated on the cards and the classification mark is assigned to them
and they are then displayed on the periodical rack for library users to
brows. To find out whether a library has particular periodical a �strip
index� which is the list of all the periodicals in stock can be checked.
In libraries where serials operations have been computerized, it is
possible to use the computer terminals to figure out what journal is
available, the latest issue and other information concerning the journals
in the library.

In most cases, periodicals are not borrowed out of the library like
books unless in exceptional cases. They are used or referred to in the
library. This is because of their fragile nature.
REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION

One Liberian has suggested that being able to use a library is �in the
first place that art of consulting authorities and comparing results� We
would like to believe that this statement is a true summary at this stage,
of our ability to use a library, otherwise the past few weeks would have
been waste of your time and hours.

You should now be in a position to walk into the library and by using
the catalogue, find a book of your choice provided that you can
remember the author, title or the subject of the book. You should now
know that information may be found in library materials other than
books; for example, in periodicals, newspapers and other serials as well
as in non-book materials.

On resumption, therefore, that you should be able to �consult


authorities and compare results�, the present lecture is designed to
provide a guide to the rules of citing.

Writing a research paper and producing a write-up for a newspaper


are two different things. A newspaper reporter can avoid disclosing his
sources of information by saying vaguely that �sources close to the
government house said� or that �usually reliable sources
disclosed�� The scholar cannot be obscure about these sources;
otherwise he would not be taken seriously. If anything that
scholar/researcher strives to identify his sources clearly as possible, so
that some of his assertions or conclusion could be subjected to security
and verification to do this successfully, the researcher must acquire the
rudiments of bibliographical citation.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CITATION OR DESCRIPTION

This is the process of identifying a published work of literary


composition giving particulars of authorship or others who have
contributed to the work (e.g. edition, translator or illustrator). Tile,
edition, date, particulars of publication (place and name of publisher)
number if pages etc. in the case periodical (title 2 volume and is sued
number, date) and pages are necessary for be defined as putting a name
to a source.

PURPOSE OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CITATION

a) to pay homage to pioneers in ones subject area

b) To give credit to related work

c) To identify methodology, equipment etc.

d) To provide background reading

e) To correct ones own work

f) To criticize previous work

g) To substantiate claims

h) To alert researchers to forthcoming work

i) To disclaim work or ideas of others

j) To dispute priority claims of others.

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY MINNA


GST 110 - CONTINUATION
USE OF ENGLISH PART (II)
COMMUNICATION THEORY
Language in communication
Language has been described as �the vehicle of thought.� It is
almost the only means of communicating thoughts and feelings
available to man. There are other means of course, like the
paralinguistic form (signs and symbols). Even so, in its spoken
and written forms, language remains by far the commonest
means of communication. By definition, language can be said to
be a method by which a person expresses his thoughts and
feelings in a way that they can be understood by others. The
essence of language is to convey messages. Linguistic studies
have discovered that the emergence and development of
language has contributed more than any other factor in bridging
the wide silence that would have characterized the existence of
the early man. It still plays the same role today. It is the sole and
life-blood of communication. Without the emergence and use of
language, there can be no communication at all, whether written
or oral. Life itself would have been paralyzed. For business
purpose of every kind or for individual purpose, efficiency is
liable to turn from time to time on communication cannot be
eliminated. Rather, the need for higher standards of clear precise
and purposeful expression grows constantly with the increasing
complexity of life and society.
THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATION
According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,
communication means the act of sharing or exchanging
opinions, news, information etc. in the opinion of Chappell and
Reed, (1984) communication is any means by which a thought is
transferred from one person top another. Undall and Undall
(1979: 5) defined communication as the process by which one
person (or a group) shares and imparts information to another
person (or group) so that both people (and group) clearly
understand one another.
The definitions above summarize the concept of communication
as a process of giving and receiving information through
previously familiar symbols and signs. It involves a transfer of
opinions, attitudes, beliefs, ideas, thought and feelings from one
person or group to another. Communication is the essence of
life. No society or individual or firm can exist meaningfully
without proficiently fulfilling communication roles relevant to it.
Through meaningful interaction between person and groups,
better understanding is achieved. When there is understanding,
there is harmony, oneness and peace.
THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION
A process is a phenomenon that is on-going, continuous and
ever changing. If communication is a process of transferring
information, ideas, thought and feelings it then follows that
communication is a continuous action. It is a two-way affair
involving sender and a receiver. For the process to be effective,
there are basic elements that should be present. The elements are
the sender, the receiver, a message, a medium (language that is
understood by the sender and the receiver) and a feedback.
Communication can only be s aid to have taken place when the
message sent by a transmitter is duly received and correctly
interpreted by the receiver who also sends a feedback to the
transmitter. The feedback will reflect how well a message has
been understood because an incorrectly interpreted message will
give a wrong message. It clearly manifests misunderstanding of
a message. As process, encoding and decoding message and
sending feedback could generate further encoding, and decoding
and feedback between the communicants.
The elements of communication process and their meaning are
presented below;
The Sender: - this is the initiator of the communication also
called the encoder, the transmitter or the source. He receives
stimulants and selects codes which his decoder must be able to
understand. He then sends the message using appropriate
language.
The Receiver: This is the decoder of the message, the target
audience who receives, gives appropriate interpretation to the
message and a feedback.
The Message: The message comprises the thoughts, ideas,
attitudes, opinion, feelings which a sender sends to his receiver.
As long as people exist and have need, there will be need for
sending and receiving messages.
The Medium: This refers to the form in which the message
transmitted is sent. It could be oral, written, or paralinguistic.
The Feedback: when the message sent by the sender has been
decoded and understood, the receiver will send a response called
feedback to the sender. If the message is not properly given, the
receiver may have a problem understanding and interpreting it.
The Channel: Some people use channel and medium to mean the
same thing. In this book, much difference may not be made
between them, as their interpretations may be similar. While
medium refers to the form, which a sender uses in sending a
message, channel refers to any course or way along which
information travels. Oral channels include letters, memos,
report, telex etc.
THE IMPORTANT OF COMMUNICATION
The importance of communication both to individual and
organization are obvious. For business purposes of every kind
and for every level of performance and writing. In some
profession as in religion, law, politics, communication is the
essence of their activity. Communication is useful in
establishing and keeping relationships (formal or informal)
In mass communication, some of the functions of
communication are education, information and entertainment.
Through organized and systematic dissemination of information
these purposes are achieved.
In business, effective communication not only create awareness
of goods and services available but also uses appropriate
language of campaign to draw the appetite of the audience to the
services.
Effective communication brings harmony and understanding
between human beings and societies because individuals and
communities understand each other better and express mutual
trust on each other.
In written communication, information can be stored and
preserved since its form is very durable.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
Generally, communication falls into two basic categories,
namely, verbal and non-verbal.
Verbal Communication: This is the type of communication done
through the use of spoken words. It is used in intra-personal,
interpersonal and group situation. Intra-Personal
Communication: This type of communication goes on within an
individual. The thought process that go on in human minds
during the consideration and weighing of situations in the mind
and may become verbalized with no definite receiver in mind.
This often is the case when people soliloquies.
Interpersonal Communication: This is the type where face-to-
face contact is involved exchange of ideas, thoughts, feelings
and information between two persons on personal contact basis.
This is the commonest type of communication in human life. It
helps to breaks the barrier of formal relationship and draws
communication together in an atmosphere of warmth and
harmony.
Group Communication: This involves the exchange of ideas and
information among members of a group-at home, in the club or
association, political party, in the office. Group may vary in size,
intent and composition. Members in the same group share ideas
and information with one another in their meetings in pursuance
of their common objective. Thus, they concern themselves with
their group affairs.
ADVANTAGES OF VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Immediate Feedback: In person-to-person communication
situation, feedback is immediate. There is no delay in
responding, as both persons are present on the spot. This will
enable immediate scheduling or rescheduling or adjustments.
Reinforcement: The use of gestures, facial expression and other
body language will help to reinforce a message because a
speaker�s feeling may be better expressed in these terms.
Message Clarification: In face-to-face contact issues are
clarified as a message is given. This reduces misunderstanding
and misinterpretation as all misconceptions are settled on the
spot.
Interpersonal Report: A very sure method of establishing and
maintaining interpersonal rapport is by face-to-face �talking it
over.� This reduces mistrust and tension in offices, homes and
organizations.
Participation: It allows for participation and contribution of
everyone present during a discussion.
DISADVANTAGE
Temporary: Verbal communication has no pursuance since it is
not recorded in any form. As a result, a speaker can be
misquoted. In fact, oral information can be forgotten or denied
anywhere, anytime.
Inconvenient: It is often not convenient to reach a large number
of people on a face-to-face and individual basis. Similarly,
highly placed person may not be easily reached in this form.
Imprecision: During the course of an utterance, it may not be
easy to reason and eliminate errors, before an utterance is given.
Non Verbal Communication: Non verbal communication
includes all other forms of communication other than the verbal
forms. It can be broadly grouped into written communication
and sign language.
Written Communication: This involves the use of written words
as an outgrowth of oral language. Alphabetic symbols are
organized in a manner to convey ideas, messages between
communicants. Learning to write is a process that begins from
childhood to adulthood. We have to be able to write what we
want to say and read what others have written. Examples of
written communication are letters, reports, memos, books,
bulletins, circulars, minutes, articles etc.
ADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
It is a permanent means of giving and storing messages.
Materials written by people and organization can be preserved
for a very long time without losing the message. Written
materials can be read and re-read. More time is spent composing
them thus ensuring accuracy.
In law, written agreement forms the basis of Contract. It can be
read again and again by the receiver to clarify doubts. It is
therefore ideal for sending long distance and complex
communication. Written Communication can be duplicated into
several other copies that can be circulated to distant places to get
a wider readership. The risk of distortion is greatly reduced
since the material can circulate to various places in the same
form and shape. In official matters, only written communication
carries weight of authority acceptable in such situations. In
business matters, it interprets, clarifies, confirms and preserves
oral communication.
DISADVANTAGE OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
- It is tasking producing a written material. Much time, talent,
energy and money is spent putting one together.
- On the part of communication, the writer must be literate
enough to write and the receiver must be able to read and
interpret before communication can take place.
- In written communication on the spot feedback is not possible
since the receiver may not be at same place of writing.
- Written material may be too bulky or complex for the reader
who may on this ground not be willing to read e.g. reports
etc.
- Written materials also derail in transit and end in unwanted
hands.
SIGN LANGUAGE
This involves the use of gesture, paralanguage and distance to
convey ideas, thought and feelings as we discuss them below;
Gesture: This represents the way or manner we move some parts
of the body or even the whole of it. This phenomenon is also
called
body language. Sometimes, such gestures are understood
without any words going with them. If for instance, one gives a
handshake to a visitor, that visitor will understand that he is
welcome. Supposing one motion to another with bare hand to
come, the person so motioned can understand even when no
words accompany the gesture. Some gesture have well
developed sign language with which they communicate.
Paralanguage: Information, attitude and feelings can be convey
by the manner a thing is said rather than what is said. A hiss at
someone is a sign of scorn or dissatisfaction to that one.
Similarly, things like volume or tone of voice may say a lot
about the speaker�s feelings, attitude or his status. In
paralanguage, information is conveyed by tone of voice of the
speaker and his countenance rather than any specified word
used.
Distance: This is the gap maintained between people. Keeping a
distance from a person can say a number of things. It may be
that the person distance is unwanted or that the source wants to
remove himself from a particular situation. Distance totally cuts
off possib/pnbsp; In most cases, periodicals are not borrowed
out of the library like books unless in exceptional cases. They
are used or referred to in the library. This is because of their
fragile nature.quot;"ility of communication. However, distance
can be broken by friends and colleagues but strangers cannot
penetrate it.
ADVANTAGES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
It can give additional information to communicaThey provide
important quotationstion by the use of gestures, action, and tone
of the voice. It gives visible actions. It enhances oral
communication by the provision of visible movement.
DISADVANTAGES OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Interpretation of non-verbal codes may lead to contradiction and
misinformation. It may take additional skill to be able to
understand and interpret non verbal codes.
INTERFERENCE IN COMMUNICATION
Interference is said to occur in communication when there is a
hindrance or obstruction in the channel. The chief source of this
hindrance or barrier is NOISE. Noise in communication is
anything that reduces the effectiveness of a message. In
linguistic parlance, the source of noise could be semantic,
grammatical or phonological.
Semantic Barrier: Sometimes, there is disparity in the level of
language usage of different individuals at various points. As a
result of this, there is misunderstanding arising from meanings
attached to certain expressions. This is often so in a second
language situation. Sometimes, this problem occurs because of
the educational level of the individuals. For instance, to an
ordinary taxi or bus driver to �see� a policeman may mean a
different thing to him as it will to a company chief executive. In
the same way business connotes different things to different
people. People who operate at different semantic levels may
have problems communicating effectively.
Code of Switching: This is a situation in which a single speaker
uses varieties of codes from different languages in a single
utterance. He may start with one language code and with another
e.g. (i) Kedu maka your people, ( ii) Nye m my money
Code Mixing: This involves a mix of varieties of codes from
two languages in a single utterance. The codes are mixed as
opposed to switching. In a second language English, there is
mother tongue interference. On the other hand, there could be
English phonemes, which do not occur in the learner�s native
language. The learner would substitute such sound with a
nearest sound in the mother tongue e.g. substituting the native / /
for English / / in Yoruba and native Igbo // for English //. Igbo
language has no �-ging� progressive form so the nearest / /
sound is substituted in word like longing, singing etc. Lexical
Level Barrier: Hindrance at this level involves direct translation
from mother tongue and imposition of the patterns of the native
language on the secondary language.
Look at these translations:
(i) Obinna was chasing Adaora yesterday (wooing)
(ii) My mother is cooking soup (preparing)
(iii) The government should take qualified teachers
(employ)
(iv) He used four years to study (spent)
(v) My sister born a baby (gave birth).
(vi) Our class representative ate our money (embezzled).
{END OF PART (I)}
CONTINUATION�
Please Read On
WE ACKNOWLEDGED THE OWNERS OF THIS
LECTURE NOTE AND ANTICIPATE FOR THEIR
SUPPORT AND COOPERATION
If you are a lecturer in FUTMinna taking any of the year one
Courses and wish that your course material be made
available for online reading by InfoMAS, please you can do
that in your own interest by sending the softcopy of your
lecture note to [email protected] or contact
08141902333, 08106470772
Please tell us what you think about our page. If you provide us with your contact
information, we will be able to reach you in case we have any questions.

Comments

Contact Information

You might also like