Communication and Communication Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to communication and communication disorders.

Communication

Any act involving the exchange of information related to a person’s needs, wants, perceptions, knowledge, or feelings.

Encoding

Message formulation in communication.

Decoding

Message interpretation in communication.

Verbal Communication

The message is transmitted via words and language, can be formal or informal.

Oral Communication

Spoken words used in verbal communication.

Written Communication

Written text used to convey messages.

Non-verbal Communication

Transmitting messages without the use of words.

Paralanguage

Tone of voice, loudness, and inflection used in non-verbal communication.

Proxemics

The use of space in communicative interactions.

Communication Disorder

An impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or systems of verbal, nonverbal, and graphic symbols.

Acquired Communication Disorder

An impairment caused by a medical condition later in life, with typically normal function prior to onset.

Cultural Competency

The ability to interact effectively with individuals from different cultures.

Language Barriers

Obstacles in effective communication caused by differences in language.

Interpreter

A person trained to convey spoken or signed communications from one language to another.

Translator

A person trained to translate written text from one language to another.

Dialects

Regional varieties of a particular language that influence vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Accent

The manner of pronunciation of a language specific to a geographical region.