samskipti

Samskipti is the Icelandic term for communication, defined as the process by which information, ideas, and feelings are conveyed between senders and receivers. It encompasses spoken and written language, nonverbal cues, signs, symbols, and digital media, and it occurs in interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass contexts. Effective samskipti depends on shared symbols, mutual understanding, feedback, and context, and it can be impaired by noise, ambiguity, or cultural differences.

Etymology: derived from sam- meaning "together" and skipta meaning "to change" or "to exchange," reflecting the idea of mutual exchange of information.

Key concepts: sender, message, channel, receiver, feedback, and context form the basic model; variations include synchronous vs asynchronous communication, and one-way vs reciprocal. Nonverbal communication—including body language, facial expressions, tone of voice—plays a large role alongside language.

Forms and modes: spoken language, writing, signs and symbols, and increasingly digital communication through email, messaging apps, and social media. Types include interpersonal (dyadic), small-group, organizational, and mass communication, as well as intercultural and accessible communication for people with disabilities.

Context and relevance: samskipti shapes relationships, education, work, politics, and culture. Barriers include language differences, jargon, noise, and cultural misunderstandings; improving samskipti involves clarity, feedback, and tailoring to the audience.

See also: communication theory; information theory; intercultural communication; media studies.