The physical context of communication refers to each of the tangible and perceptible elements through the senses that surround the speakers at the moment of engaging in a communicative fact. These elements directly affect both the sender and the recipient, facilitating or complicating the flow of the message.
The word context has its origin in Latin, it comes from the word contextus, which means “union of several elements”. So, it can be said that the physical context of communication is the union of the different elements present when two interlocutors communicate.
The physical context of communication is one of the four contexts that make up the communicative fact. Along with this, we can get to the semantic context, referring to the meanings of words and their correlations; the situational, subject to circumstances; and the cultural, subject to customs.
For senders and receivers – in the continuous exchange that involves the transmission of a message – all factors present in this communicative space are important . The common ways that interlocutors use in this area to convey the message are oral and non-oral.
Remember that it is not just interlocutors who issue ideas within the physical context of communication. In the context, there are communicative components that, although they are static, do not stop sending their messages.
These components are incidental elements, typical of the place, such as: traffic signs, signs and billboards in open areas; and billboards, photos, posters and signs indoors.
Characteristics of Physical Context of Communication
1-Dynamism
When talking about the “dynamism” of the context, reference is made to the series of data that the interlocutors of the space around them constantly perceive when communicating.
Although it seems that the physical context is immobile, the elements that compose it transmit information perceived by the interlocutors.
In turn, these data series are assimilated according to the individuals’ personal context, which corresponds to their education, schooling, social status and other aspects.
So, when we see a communicative act between two or more people, there is not only an exchange between them, but between them and this contextual entity that, for these moments, contains them. There is a movement, a constant flow of information.
2-May contain noise
It is called “noise” in the field of communication for everything that generates inconvenience at the moment when two people exchange messages. It does not refer only to the familiar concept associated with the «annoying sound», but to everything that truncates, complicates or dirty the message, preventing it from fulfilling its function.
The contextual noise in its physical section implies many aspects of a subjective nature. Imagine a neutral environment: white walls, two chairs and a table, all arranged for communication to flow. However, one of the interlocutors is distracted by light colors, because the walls of his house have the same tone and effect on him.
Something as superficial as this can change the context and bring with it the dreaded “noise”. If there’s anything clear that comes out of this section, it’s that, as much as you want, there will never be 100 percent communication without such stimuli.
3-can be modified
The physical context can be easily changed. It is possible to intervene so that its components act as catalysts in the communicative event and avoid as much noise as possible.
It can be visually modified by means of paints, frames, banners, curtains; You can also change their textures and shapes (to generate comfortable sensations when rubbing) with rugs, pillows, hands, cups.
The context can also be modified profoundly, including sounds of nature or classical music. Everything mentioned above refers to obtaining passivity and calm in the senses, which would theoretically give rise to perfect communicative conditions.
This conditioning technique is used by large companies in their warehouses and facilities to indirectly convince customers to buy.
The colors, music and location of products on shelves all contain a clear message within the physical context to convince customers to invest in your products.
The same goes for schools and universities. Wall colors respond to learning studies, prevent the student from straying and provide a better study environment.
4-It is subject to main elements
There are two basic types of physical contexts: the open, outdoors; and closed internal buildings.
Regardless of where the communicative act takes place, whether in an open or closed place, both are subject to elements that escape the interlocutors’ hands and the context itself. We can call them “super-incidents”.
When these occurrences can generate a noise that diminishes the message or, on the contrary, cancels it completely.
For example, you can go to an address in a park, with the sky clear and the birds singing, all attentive to the event, and out of nowhere, a storm appears. Everyone runs away automatically.
Another example could be being in a closed room, with a projector, air conditioning, microphone and everything organized when, suddenly, the power goes out.
Examples of Physical Context of Communication
Example 1
“The trade unionist was on the platform, in the workers’ square, issuing a statement to the workers who were present there. The day was clear. People passed and watched. There was a car accident in the upper corner of the square, which caused cars to honk and many citizens ran in terror. However, nothing prevented the statement from being made. The determined workers approached the administrator to hear better. ”
Remember that “context” means “grouping of elements”. In this case, the clear elements were the good weather, the people passing by, the stage and all the signs, fountains, benches and statues that can be in a square.
The noise was caused by the collision of cars, there was a “loud” noise – the redundancy is valid – and another related to the commotion that was generated between people, commotion generated by movement and that could lose, for a moment, the attention of you. listen. “
Example 2
“Luis was giving his workshop in the classroom. The light was too dim to enjoy the images from the overhead projector. The young man spoke through a microphone that allowed him to hear clearly.
Everyone paid attention, except José, who was playing with his cell phone. While this bothered Luis a little, the exhibitor decided to continue without regard. The exhibition was a complete success. ”
The context consists of: classroom, chairs and tables, microphone, dim light, projector and other elements of the classroom.
The noise was caused by José, who, enjoying the game, broke the communicative bond.
