Code Model Of Linguistic Communication

The Code Model of Linguistic Communication-(Coding and decoding)
From Aristotle through to modern semiotics, all theories of communication are based on a single model which is called a code model. According to the code model, communication is achieved by encoding and decoding messages .
The Figure 1.1.4 that represents the Shannon and Wearer model shows how communication can be achieved by the use of a code. Figure 1.1.4: Shannon Weaver model

The code model assumes that communication is a linear process in which a message starts at an information source and is then converted into a signal or a code. This signal then travels to the recipient, who uses his/her decoding mechanism to extract the information in the signal. The information is

According to this concept as explained by Mathukutty Monippally in his book ‘Business communication Strategies’ (1st ed. New Delhi: Tata Mcgraw-Hill, 2001. Print), in any attempt of communication of any complexity, the message sent is never the same as the message reconstructed. Symbols received are not quite the same as the symbols displayed. The greater the common ground of experience, ideas and attitudes between the two parties, the higher the chances of more successful communication. Figure 1.1.5 gives a graphical representation of the inferential model of communication.

Figure 1.1.5: Inferential model of communication
The original message is not a perfect circle. This indicates that the message intended to be sent is not a well-defined one. Often the message emerges during the tentative efforts at communicating. It is only with messages consisting largely of neutral information that the message can be well defined or the meaning clear. Where there is feelings and attitudes involved, the message becomes vague and

Loss of Symbol: This happens when the receiver perceives fewer symbols than those displayed by the sender
2. Distortion of Symbols: This is when symbols undergo change or suffer distortion by the time they are perceived.
3. Creation of new Symbols: This is a curious situation when the receiver perceives symbols that were never displayed by the sender.
While the success of communication in the code model is through proper coding and decoding of messages, the success of communication in inferential model is based on the evidence provided. For example, when Mary intends to inform peter of the fact that she has a sore throat, all she has to do is let him hear her hoarse voice , thus , providing him with salient and conclusive evidence that she has a sore throat , here Mary‘s intention can be fulfilled whether or not peter is aware of it . He could realize that she has a sore throat without also realizing that she intends him to realize that she has one.
It can be concluded that for messages that are neutral with respect to information, a code model of communication can prove to be effective, but when messages have feelings, attitudes and expectations involved, which largely the case in human communication, we have to apply the inferential model of