The purpose of communication is to share information, ideas or meaning. Sometimes, this process of sharing gets interrupted or compromised due to various parameters existing in the communication environment. And this interference, called as barriers, ultimately prevents or at least adversely affects the sending and receiving of messages successfully.

In that context, a communication barrier is anything that prevents people from sending, receiving and understanding the messages people use to convey their information, ideas and thoughts.

Why and How Barriers Occur
Barriers to communication take place differently depending on the given context such as the communication environment. In general, these barriers may take place as per the following:

• Use of jargon: if over-complicated, unfamiliar and/or technical terms are used
• Emotional blockade and taboo: if a person finds it difficult or prohibited to express a particular type or set of emotions
• Lack of motivation: lack or attention, interest, distractions, or irrelevance to the receiver
• Differences in perspectives: differences in perception and viewpoint
• Physical disabilities: physical obstacles or limitations like hearing problems, speech difficulties etc.
• Physical barriers to non-verbal communication: if a person cannot read the non-verbal cues (e.g. not being able to see the non-verbal cues, gestures, posture and general body language because of being blind or having blurred vision)
• Language differences: differences and/or the difficulty in understanding each other's language or accent etc.
• Early bias: expectations and prejudices which may lead to false assumptions or stereotyping ultimately jumping to incorrect conclusions
• Cultural differences: varied norms and values of social interaction among different cultures and different social settings