DATUK SERI (DR.) ENG WEI CHUN – ART OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is not limited to humans, animals also have their own ways of communicating. However, compared to humans, their communication is obviously simpler and more straightforward. Human civilization itself began with the ability to communicate, and this has continued to evolve over time. Although animals understand communication, but their expression have limit. Only pets tend to show a higher level of “communication ability” in their interactions with humans. As time passes, human evolution and communication methods have also evolved along with changes in society and the times.
If you have pay attention to the different regions, such as the East and the West, you will notice that the way people speak, their choice of words, and language itself are different. Taking China as an example, from the Zhou or Shang dynasty, China has been promoting culture and religion. Initially, Classical Chinese was used, and later it turns into Vernacular Chinese, and transforming into modern slang. This is the evolution of communication.
The topic of today’s is the art of communication. From my observation, the evolution of communication in Asia over the past 200 years has been remarkably fast. Two hundred years ago, written communication was primarily in Classical Chinese, however nearly 100 years ago, with the efforts of cultural figures like Lu Xun and Xu Zhimo, Vernacular Chinese began to gain popularity and eventually became the dominant written language. Fifty years ago, many overseas Chinese youths began to be exposed to an education that combined both Chinese and Western influences, which led to the development of a sense of humor. Today, communication often takes a simple, slang-driven approach. The changes of the times have made less refined language increasingly common and widespread.
As times progress, many people’s communication skills getting weaker. This is due to the combined effect of social and technological progress, which has simplified communication methods more and more. Today, the way humans communicate seems to have regressed, with unclear expressions and inaccurate emotional transmission, often leading to misunderstandings or even conflicts. Language is a powerful tool because different ways of communication can easily capture another person’s feelings—be it joy, anger, sorrow, grief, or pain. If you can master and use language accurately, it enables the other person to better understand and accept what you are expressing. It can also help you attract more supporters and make things go more smoothly, which is a kind of blessing.
The reason why fewer people seem to have good fortune and why things often do not go smoothly is mostly due to the poor communication skills and a lack of understanding of the art of communication. Furthermore, perhaps it is because of human evolution and the fast-paced lifestyle of modern society, which has eroded people’s patience and, in turn, affected how they communicate. Many people find it difficult to engage in deep conversations or truly understand one another.
The importance of language and communication cannot be overlooked in schools, parliaments, politics, business, and families. To become an outstanding leader, knowledge of communication is essential. The art of communication not only enhances professional competence, strengthens teamwork, and fosters career development, but it also has a profound impact on an individual’s emotional life. Effective communication can deepen mutual understanding and trust, strengthening interpersonal relationships. In the family, good communication can effectively ease conflicts and promote understanding and support among family members.
The way people interact with each other is essentially an art of mutual understanding and respect. The differences in each person’s thought process also determine their style of communication. Once we master the art of communication, we can more easily understand the true intentions behind someone’s words. As Guiguzi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, said: “The mouth is the gateway to the heart.” The mouth is just a tool to convey the inner self， all language originates from the heart. Therefore, the art of communication is crucial—not only can it break down barriers between people and turn enemies into friends, but it can also change a person’s life.
Communication is not just about the transmission of information， it is also an exchange of emotions. We need to choose the most appropriate words based on different situations, demonstrating a sincere attitude. Sincerity does not mean freely expressing all our emotions, but have to adjusting our way of expressing ourselves according to the group of people and situation, considering the background and needs of the other person, thereby improving the effectiveness of communication.
Communication is both an art and a skill in our daily life. To master the art of communication more effectively, we should focus on improving our communication skills. Reading books, observing others’ communication styles, and practicing are all effective ways to enhance ourselves. In summary, by fully mastering the art of communication, we not only better understand others, but we are also better understood, which helps us achieve the desired results in various fields.
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