When a communicative event takes place, certain assumptions can be made. Firstly, there is a reason for communicating (orally or in a written way). In a communicative exchange, there are two basic kinds of speech roles: that of giving and that of demanding. The thing given or demanded may be something linguistic such as information or an opinion, or it may be something non-linguistic, some type of goods or services. The speaker or writer selects the appropriate or necessary items from his/her language store to express that purpose. As for the listener or reader, it can be assumed s/he is interested in the speaker’s communicative purpose and is able to process a varied selection of language. Moreover, in order for communication to be effective, the message has to be perceived and have the same meaning for the receiver than for the issuer.
Taking all the previous aspects into account we can point out which the features of communication are:
- It is a form of social interaction, and it is normally acquired and used in such an interaction.
- It always has a purpose, which is to communicate.
- It involves a high degree of unpredictability and creativity, and therefore successful communication should involve a reduction of uncertainty on behalf of the participants.
- It involves verbal and non-verbal language, such as gestures and body language.