Communication vs. Correspondence — What's the Difference?

Communication (from Latin communicare, meaning "to share"or "to be in relation with") is "an apparent answer to the painful divisions between self and other, private and public, and inner thought and outer word." As this definition indicates, communication is difficult to define in a consistent manner, because it is commonly used to refer to a wide range of different behaviors (broadly: "the transfer of information"), or to limit what can be included in the category of communication (for example, requiring a "conscious intent" to persuade). John Peters argues the difficulty of defining communication emerges from the fact that communication is both a universal phenomena (because everyone communicates), and a specific discipline of institutional academic study.One possible definition of communication is the act of developing meaning among entities or groups through the use of sufficiently mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic conventions.

The act, fact, or state of agreeing or conforming

The act of communicating; transmission.

A similarity, connection, or equivalence

The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior.

Communication by the exchange of letters, emails, or other forms of written messages.

Interpersonal rapport.

The messages sent or received.

The art and technique of using words effectively to impart information or ideas.

Mutual communication or discourse:

The field of study concerned with the transmission of information by various means, such as print or broadcasting.

Friendly discussion.

Any of various professions involved with the transmission of information, such as advertising, broadcasting, or journalism.

(uncountable) Reciprocal exchange of civilities, especially conversation between persons by means of letters.

Something communicated; a message.

(uncountable) Newspaper or news stories.

A system, such as mail, telephone, or television, for sending and receiving messages.

Postal or other written communications.

A network of routes for sending messages and transporting troops and supplies.

Congruity or similarity between different things, people, etc:

Communications The technology employed in transmitting messages.

(countable) An agreement of situations or objects with an expected outcome.

(Biology) The transfer of information from one molecule, cell, or organism to another, as by chemical or electrical signals or by behaviors.

A relation.

An opening or connecting passage between two structures.

A similarity between physical and spiritual things e.g. light to wisdom, or warmth to love

A joining or connecting of solid fibrous structures, such as tendons and nerves.

Friendly intercourse; reciprocal exchange of civilities; especially, intercourse between persons by means of letters.

The act or fact of communicating anything; transmission.

The letters which pass between correspondents.

(uncountable) The concept or state of exchanging data or information between entities.

Mutual adaptation, relation, or agreement, of one thing to another; agreement; congruity; fitness; relation.

A message; the essential data transferred in an act of communication.

Communication by the exchange of letters

The body of all data transferred to one or both parties during an act of communication.

Compatibility of observations;

An instance of information transfer; a conversation or discourse.

The relation of correspondence in degree or size or amount

A passageway or opening between two locations; connection.

A function such that for every element of one set there is a unique element of another set

(anatomy) A connection between two tissues, organs, or cavities.

Communication by exchange of letters

(obsolete) Association; company.

(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

Participation in Holy Communion.

Similarity by virtue of correspondence

(rhetoric) A trope by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says "we" instead of "I" or "you".

The act or fact of communicating; as, communication of smallpox; communication of a secret.

Intercourse by words, letters, or messages; interchange of thoughts or opinions, by conference or other means; conference; correspondence.

Association; company.

Means of communicating; means of passing from place to place; a connecting passage; connection.

That which is communicated or imparted; intelligence; news; a verbal or written message.

Participation in the Lord's supper.

A trope, by which a speaker assumes that his hearer is a partner in his sentiments, and says we, instead of I or you.

The activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information;

Something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups

A connection allowing access between persons or places;