The production foreman, a native of South India, got transferred to a city in North India. His words, tone and accent could not be understood by the shop floor workers. Identify the category of communication barrier discussed here?

Semantic barriers

The correct answer is option 3- Semantic barriers.

Semantic barriers arise from problems in encoding or decoding the message, often due to language, accent, tone, or interpretation differences. In this case, the foreman's tone, words, and accent were not understood by the workers due to regional language and speech differences, which is a classic example of a semantic barrier.

Semantics is the branch of linguistics dealing with the meaning of words and sentences. Semantic barriers are concerned with problems and obstructions in the process of encoding and decoding of message into words or impressions. Normally, such barriers result on account of use of wrong words, faulty translations, different interpretations, etc. These are discussed below:

(i) Badly expressed message: Some times intended meaning may not be conveyed by a manager to his subordinates. These badly expressed messages may be an account of inadequate vocabulary, usage of wrong words, omission of needed words, etc.

(ii) Symbols with different meanings: A word may have several meanings. Receiver has to perceive one such meaning for the word used by communicator. For example,  consider these three sentences where the work ‘value’ is used: (a) What is the value of this ring? (b) I value our friendship. (c) What is the value of learning computer skills? You will find that the ‘value’ gives different meaning in different contexts. Wrong perception leads to communication problems.

(iii) Faulty translations: Sometimes the communications originally drafted in one language (e.g., English) need to be translated to the language understandable to workers (e.g., Hindi). If the translator is not proficient with both the languages, mistakes may creep in causing different meanings to the communication.

(iv) Unclarified assumptions: Some communications may have certain assumptions which are subject to different interpretations. For example, a boss may instruct his subordinate, “Take care of our guest”. Boss may mean that  subordinate should take care of transport, food, accommodation of the guest until he leaves the place. The subordinate may interpret that guest should be taken to hotel with care. Actually, the guest suffers due to these unclarified assumptions.

(v) Technical jargon: It is usually found that specialists use technical jargon while explaining to persons who are not specialists in the concerned field. Therefore, they may not understand the actual meaning of many such words.

(vi) Body language and gesture decoding: Every movement of body communicates some meaning. The body movement and gestures of communicator matters so much in conveying the message. If there is no match between what is said and what is expressed in body movements, communications may be wrongly perceived.