The Noise of Words: When Communication Loses Its Meaning

By Parambrahma Tripathy

Ramesh sat in front of his television, watching yet another political debate. The speakers were loud, their words sharp, their gestures dramatic. Each one spoke relentlessly, barely pausing to breathe, let alone listen. Hours later, when the debate ended, Ramesh realized he had not absorbed a single substantial idea. There had been plenty of communication—fiery speeches, clever slogans, cutting remarks—but no understanding. No connection. Just noise.

Conversations have turned transactional 

This is the paradox of our times. We live in an age where communication has never been easier, yet true understanding feels more distant than ever. Social media, news channels, advertisements, and even personal conversations are often reduced to one-sided transmissions—someone speaks, someone else hears, but very little is truly absorbed. The essence of meaningful interaction—mutual understanding—gets lost in the sheer volume of words.

In India, where traditions once emphasised deep listening—shravan as a sacred practice—today’s conversations have turned transactional. The digital era, with its instant messaging and viral content, rewards speed over depth. Politicians tweet rather than debate. News anchors shout rather than discuss. Friends exchange forwards rather than thoughts. Communication has become a performance, a race to be heard rather than a bridge to connect.

This shift is especially clear in Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), a field meant to bring positive change in society. Earlier, effective SBCC relied on dialogue—villagers gathering to discuss health practices, community leaders engaging in conversations about sanitation, or radio shows encouraging listener responses. Today, however, much of SBCC is reduced to catchy slogans, flashy advertisements, and influencer endorsements. A well-meaning campaign on vaccination may flood social media with posters, but if the message does not address the fears or cultural beliefs of the people, it remains just noise.

The problem is not just with public campaigns; it runs deeper. Traditional Indian communication was always two-way—a guru-shishya dialogue, a panchayat debate, even the bargaining at a local bazaar required active listening and adjustment. Today, digital platforms encourage monologues. A YouTube video allows comments, but how many creators really engage with them? A politician’s Instagram post invites likes, but does it invite real discussion?

More communication, less understanding!

Even in personal relationships, communication has turned shallow. WhatsApp groups buzz with endless forwards, but how many families sit together to discuss real issues? Young couples argue over text messages, where tone is lost and misunderstandings grow. The more we communicate, the less we seem to understand each other.

When words are spoken without the intent of understanding, consequences follow. Think about public health. During the pandemic, misinformation spread faster than facts because people shared without verifying. Authorities issued orders, but without addressing people’s doubts, compliance remained low. The same applies to social issues—campaigns against gender violence or caste discrimination often fail because they preach rather than listen.

In politics, the divide grows wider when leaders speak only to their own supporters. A speech meant to rally one group often offends another simply because there is no effort to understand opposing views. The result? A society that talks more but resolves less.

Communication works when...

Is there a way back? Maybe. The solution is not in speaking less, but in listening more. Real communication—whether in SBCC, politics, or personal life—needs patience. Before speaking, we must ask: Will this be understood, or just heard?

Grassroots efforts still show how it’s done. A health worker in Odisha doesn’t just hand out pamphlets on malaria prevention; she sits with villagers, listens to their concerns about mosquito nets, and adjusts her message. A teacher in Maharashtra doesn’t just lecture students on hygiene; she lets them speak about their habits and then guides them. These may seem like small examples, but they prove that communication works when understanding comes first.

Even in the digital world, some people stand out by creating real conversations—podcast hosts who let guests speak without interruption, writers who reply to readers’ questions, activists who engage with critics instead of ignoring them. The problem is not technology; it’s how we use it.

In the Mahabharata, when Draupadi asks a question in the royal court, it is not her words alone that matter, but whether anyone truly listens. The silence of the elders speaks louder than her pleas—because speaking without listening is meaningless.

Today, we face the same challenge. Every forwarded message, every quick reply, every speech made without caring for the listener adds to the noise. But those who pause, who listen before they speak, who want not just to be heard but to understand—they are the ones who truly connect.

Next time we speak, we should ask ourselves: Are we adding sense to the conversation, or just more sound? Because in the end, what matters is not how much we say, but how well we understand. 
 

Parambrahma Tripathy is an author and Communication for Development professional with over 18 years of experience. He has worked with organizations like BBC Media Action, Landesa, The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, IPE Global, and Coceptual Media. He has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Laadli Media and Gender Sensitivity Award in 2022 and 2023, Best Lyricist of the Year in 2022, Dr. Radhanath Rath Fellowship for Journalism, Kalinga Literary Youth Award, Timepass Bestseller Award, Srujan India Youth Award, Utkal Sahitya Samaj Felicitation and Odia Yuva Stambha Samman(2023)

(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)