Context: The Neglected Element in Communication

  •   Mon, Jun 16 2025
  •   By Divya

June 16, 2025

Communication is an exchange of words, thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions between ourselves and others. For any communication to be complete, it requires a few elements, namely: sender, message, mode, receiver, and feedback. These major elements are discussed in books, schools, and colleges, but there is one more hidden element—some authors have mentioned it in their works and given it equal importance and weight. That element is Context or Background.

While we are communicating with our own selves—I am referring to self-talk, which is the most important and major portion of what we speak—it is also context that comes into the picture. Our mood or state of mind plays a key role in deciding the thoughts and actions of our life.

The happiness and sadness in our lives depend on the state of mind we are in during those moments. Sometimes, we are in the midst of hundreds, but if we are upset about something, we feel lonely and depressed. We don't enjoy anything. On the other hand, if we are happy within, even when alone, we still enjoy our own company and cherish the beauty around us.

In management, the definition of quality is sublimed by the statement: Quality is just a state of mind.

If you are happy and satisfied within, you will see positivity and goodness in everything. Similarly, if you are sad or unsatisfied within, you will find faults—even though something is good in reality. All these are instances of Context.

When we communicate with people, this Context plays a major role in deciding the future of relationships. Nowadays, people are rushing through communication so much that they are listening to each other only to reply, rather than to understand. Face-to-face communication doesn’t involve as much concern regarding context, as there is direct contact between people. But context becomes crucial in telephonic conversations, online interviews, emails, questionnaires, and so on. Here, the sender of a message may be conveying something based on his perspective, but the recipient may not receive it in the same context.

A major reason behind miscommunication is also the context of the people involved. That’s why people often ask, “Are we on the same page?”—this refers to Context.

So whenever there is a misunderstanding or mismatch of thoughts, it’s a problem with the Context, and nothing else. Perspectives, experiences, and pre-existing knowledge form part of context. When two people discuss an issue or matter, both parties must ensure that they are talking from the same background or perspective. Context is like salt—its presence or role is only noticed when it is unbalanced in food. When food is balanced properly with salt, nobody will say the food is delicious because the amount of salt is perfect. But when the salt is either too much or too little, the blame for spoiling the taste of the food is placed on the salt.

In the same way, the importance or role of Context is realized only when a gap arises in communication—when there is a difference in people’s understanding. But when communication goes smoothly, context doesn’t bother anyone.

For instance, one person may see a number as 6, while another sees it as 9. It’s not the fault of either person—they simply never tried to look at the number from both sides.
Here, the image gives clarity to this example: we can see that both are absolutely correct from their respective viewpoints.

To remove this contextual barrier in communication, we need to analyze the matter or see things from both sides, and then give feedback or an opinion.

How do we understand that it is a problem of context?

The answer is simple. When communication is two-way, one person finishes speaking, and the other is waiting in the wings to reply or give feedback. When the other person gives feedback, you will understand whether the message was received as intended. If the reply or feedback is not in accordance with what was said or expected, it’s clear from the outset that the person either did not understand what you conveyed, or is not on the same page.

So from now on, after reading this article of mine, I hope people will give importance to Context as well—because its presence is felt only when there is misunderstanding or a mismatch of thoughts between the communicators.

 

 
By Divya
Divya is a resident of Salikeri in Brahmavara working as a guest lecturer in Goliangadi Pre-university College. She has completed her M Com with KSET in 2023 . She is passionate about teaching, training and writing articles to inspire youths and society.
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