Communication is in essence the exchange of information between systems.

Human beings are incredibly complex adaptive systems and as such manifest an intricate and complex array of both gross and subtle communications.

Our most obvious communications occur through the use of language which is an artefact of the mind, and thus is entirely dependent on the condition of the minds between which it flows.

The words we use are actually symbols which refer to a meaning that we have assigned them and as such are entirely arbitrary and subject to the interpretation of each individual which encounters them. It is only due to consensus among the practitioners of a given language (set of symbols) as to the agreed meaning of these words or terms that they have any significance to us at all.

Problems in communication occur when there is confusion as to what the agreed meaning of a set of terms actually means in the context of the conversation taking place. The same word (symbol) may very well have a variety of possible meanings depending on the context in which it is being used.

In order to communicate effectively we need to take this into account and help each other to clarify the meaning and context of the words we are using, so as to reach a mutual understanding. For more insight into this see this article; link