Communication is an act of transmitting information, knowledge, or message from one person, group of persons, or place to another. For communication, it is essential to have at least two parties involved, sender and receiver. There are different modes through which communication can take place. Oral and face to face communication are the major ones.
Oral Communication vs Face to Face Communication
The main difference between oral and face to face communication is that the former only requires listening and talking skills. On the other hand, face to face communication requires seeing or watching skills and listening and speaking skills. Along with the other differences, the two types of communications also have a few similarities between them.
Oral Communication is a type of communication in which the two parties- the sender and the receiver, transmit or exchange the message with their voice. It is a style of expression in which spoken words are used. It comprises speeches, radio, telephonic, video, and face to face conversations.
Face to Face Communication is a type of communication in which two parties- sender and receiver, transmit or exchange the message with their voice, expressions, and gestures. It is a part of oral communication. Face to face communication is believed to be more helpful in building rapport and connections.
Comparison Table Between Oral Communication and Face to Face Communication
| Parameters of Comparison | Oral Communication | Face to Face Communication |
| Organs | Communication is conducted through voice. For which only ears and mouth are the vital body parts. | Communication is achieved through voice and gestures. For which ears, mouth, eyes, and hands are the essential body parts. |
| Skills | Oral Communication requires hearing, listening, and talking skills. | Face to Face communication involves hearing, listening, speaking, seeing, and acting skills. There are some exceptions. |
| Equipment | To have oral communication, the two parties need to be in front of each other or connected through telephone, radio, or the internet. | For having face to face communication, the two parties need to be in front of each other, physically or virtually. |
| Observation | Observations can be made from the tone, volume, pitch, and clarity of the speaker. | Observations can be made from tone, volume, pitch, clarity, facial expressions, and physical movements of the speaker. |
| Disability | Oral communication is used by people who have disabled eyesight. | Face to Face Communication is helpful for people who have disabled speaking or hearing. |
What is Oral Communication?
Oral Communication, also known as verbal communication, is a type of communication in which the transmission of information occurs with voice. It is necessary to carry out various communications, like telephonic conversations, speeches, radios, face to face communication, and communication with the help of the internet.
Oral communication requires the ability to speak and the ability to hear, which is why only the ears and mouth and the two organs are involved in this communication mode. It requires hearing skills- to receive (hear) the delivered message, listening skills to understand (pay attention) to the information being transferred, and talking skills to provide specific directions.
This communication mode requires the two parties to have a telephone, radio, speaker, or face to face interaction, physically or virtually. In the case of Oral Communication, various observations can be made from the following factors:
1. Tone- confidence, strength, depth
2. Volume- high, medium, or low
3. Pitch– high, low, or medium and clarity of the speaker.
There exist some people who cannot see or write, for whom carrying out face to face or written communication is improbable. Such people choose oral communication as their primary mode of communication.
What is Face to Face Communication?
Face to Face Communication is a type of communication in which the transmission of information occurs with voice, facial expressions, and physical movements. It is a part of oral or verbal communication. Face to Face Communication requires the ability to speak, hear, see, act and, in some cases, move. This is why several organs are involved in this communication mode, such as ears, mouth, eyes, face, hands, and legs. Along with hearing, listening, and talking skills, it requires watching- to observe and acting skills- to make gestures.
This communication mode requires the two parties to be face to face physically or virtually, i.e., over the internet, on video calls. In the case of Face to Face communication, observations can be drawn from the speaker’s tone, volume, pitch, and clarity and their facial expressions- happy, sad, nervous, stressed, anger or tensed. Besides that, physical movements like hand and leg movements, play with fingers and hair, or tapping one’s feet.
Some people cannot speak or hear for whom carrying out oral communication is not possible. Such people choose face to face communication by using sign language as their primary mode of communication.
Main Differences Between Oral Communication and Face to Face Communication
- In the process of Oral Communication, the body parts involved are- ears and mouth. While in Face to Face Communication, the ears, mouth, eyes, hands, and legs are vital body parts.
- Oral Communication requires only hearing, listening, and talking skills. But, Face to Face Communication also requires seeing and acting skills. In the case of dumb or deaf people listening and speaking skills are not necessary.
- To have oral communication, a telephone, radio, mike, or face to face interaction physically or virtually are essential requirements. Whereas, in the face to face communication, only being face to face physically or virtually is a crucial requirement.
- In oral communication, observation can be made based on the speaker’s tone, volume, pitch, and clarity. However, in a face to face communication, based on tone, volume, pitch, clarity, facial expressions, and physical movements of the speaker.
- Oral Communication is used by people who cannot see. On the contrary, face to face communication is used by people who cannot hear or speak.
Conclusion
Face to Face Communication is a part of oral or verbal communication, and so there are many similarities between the two. It is said that face to face communication is more impactful in drawing conclusions or building a rapport. Both types of communication can be impactful with correct words, knowledge of the subject, and a clear vision of what needs to be imparted or conveyed.
One should always be careful while communicating with another person or group of persons. Because “Words once said can be regretted, not recalled; forgiven, but not forgotten.”
References
- https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/psychology-facpubs/41/
- https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110879032.181/html