Communication vs. Dialogue — 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.

Dialogue (sometimes spelled dialog in American English) is a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people, and a literary and theatrical form that depicts such an exchange. As a philosophical or didactic device, it is chiefly associated in the West with the Socratic dialogue as developed by Plato, but antecedents are also found in other traditions including Indian literature.

The act of communicating; transmission.

A conversation between two or more people.

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

A discussion of positions or beliefs, especially between groups to resolve a disagreement.

Interpersonal rapport.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative.

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

The lines or passages in a script that are intended to be spoken.

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

A literary work written in the form of a conversation

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

(Music) A composition or passage for two or more parts, suggestive of conversational interplay.

Something communicated; a message.

To express as or in a dialogue

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

To engage in a dialogue.

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

A conversation or other form of discourse between two or more individuals.

Communications The technology employed in transmitting messages.

(authorship) In a dramatic or literary presentation, the verbal parts of the script or text; the verbalizations of the actors or characters.

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

(philosophy) A literary form, where the presentation resembles a conversation.

An opening or connecting passage between two structures.

(computing) A dialogue box.

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

To discuss or negotiate so that all parties can reach an understanding.

The act or fact of communicating anything; transmission.

(transitive) To put into dialogue form.

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

(obsolete) To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize.

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

A conversation between two or more persons; particularly, a formal conservation in theatrical performances or in scholastic exercises.

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

A written composition in which two or more persons are represented as conversing or reasoning on some topic; as, the Dialogues of Plato.

An instance of information transfer; a conversation or discourse.

To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize.

A passageway or opening between two locations; connection.

To express as in dialogue.

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

A conversation between two persons

(obsolete) Association; company.

The lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction

Participation in Holy Communion.

A literary composition in the form of a conversation between two people;

(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".

A discussion intended to produce an agreement;

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;