Linguistic barriers

Linguistic barriers

Also called semantic barriers, these can block ones‟ ability to listen. These are:

(i) Use of difficult words and jargons
Some speakers have an affected style of talking – they use difficult words and slang to impress rather than convey the message. Speakers must gift parcel their speech to the level of understanding of the listeners.

(ii) Speakers‟ manners and style
Much of the time, speakers‟ manners, appearance and body language are important. Politicians can, sometimes, stoop low and talk narrow, petty issues for winning local sympathy and perhaps votes but a rational listener may block his speech as hallow and worthless. He may block the message completely.

(iii) Use of words with double meaning and mispronounced words
Some speakers have a poor way of pronouncing with a heavy bias of the regional spoken language. This may come in the way of catching the words and phrases correctly.

(iv) The lag time in speech
Some speakers speak very slowly. They take so much time to complete a sentence that listeners find it very difficult to slow down their thought process. They get too much of spare time when their mind flies away to other issues. Keeping focus is a lot more difficult in such cases.

(v) Different frame of mind
If the speaker‟s background and area of specialization is widely different, it may come in the way of understanding the terms and phrases used in the speech. The same words may have a different meaning in listeners‟ framework; consequently, there may be a gap in the understanding the message received.