Information vs. Communication: The Essential Difference

Etymology of "Information": the action of putting data into a format.

To unravel the fundamental confusion between informing and communicating, it is crucial to analyze the origin of the words.

The term "information" describes, in its morphology, the action of "putting into a format".

This concept refers to the act of structuring and encapsulating data within a specific code or format for subsequent delivery.

It is, in essence, encrypted data, the mere transmission of a packet of content from one point to another.

The perfect example is the technical process that occurs in a telephone call, where the sound is converted into an electrical signal for transmission.

Information is thus a technical, one-sided process focused on the fidelity of transmission, not on mutual understanding or agreement.

Etymology of "Communication": the action of creating something in common.

In contrast, the meaning of the word "communication" reveals a completely different purpose.

Its etymological root refers to "action relating to commonality".

To communicate is not simply to send data, but to build a shared understanding, to forge a "community" of meaning that belongs to all the interlocutors involved in the exchange.

While information is a transfer, communication is a joint creation.

It is the moment when a connection is established and a ground of mutual understanding is generated that did not exist before, a space that belongs to those who participate in the dialogue.

Information as a resource, not as a synonym for communication

Understanding their definitions, it is clear that information is not synonymous with communication, but rather functions as a resource within it.

A great deal of information can be transmitted without there being a hint of real communication.

An instruction manual, for example, is full of information, but if the reader does not understand it or cannot apply it, there has been no communication.

Data, facts and figures are the tools we use to try to build that common understanding, but simply presenting them does not guarantee success.

Confusing the resource (information) with the process (communication) is one of the most common and limiting errors in developing effective interaction.

Practical examples to differentiate between informing and communicating

To illustrate the difference, let's consider two scenarios.

An airport public address system announcing "Flight 238 to Rome has been cancelled" is informing.

It broadcasts a formatted piece of information, a one-sided transmission to a mass audience. There is no dialogue, no creation of shared meaning.

Now, imagine two passengers who, after hearing the announcement, look at each other and start talking: one expresses his frustration, the other shares that he knows an alternative route by train and together they check schedules on their mobiles to find a solution.

In that moment, they have gone from receiving information to communicating. They are negotiating, sharing emotions and creating a common solution, an outcome that did not exist before their interaction.

Summary

Etymologically, the term "information" describes the action of "putting data into a format". It is a technical, one-sided process focused on fidelity of transmission, not on mutual understanding or agreement.

In contrast, "communication" refers to "action relating to commonality". It is not simply sending data, but building a shared understanding, forging a "community" of meaning that belongs to all interlocutors involved.

Information is a resource, not a synonym for communication. The announcement of a cancelled flight is information. When two passengers talk and seek a solution together, they are communicating, creating an outcome that did not exist.