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People are always sending messages. Take a look at one of the ways to get a message across ...

In the dark of the night on the 14th April, 1912 the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg. As the ship sank, it sent out a distress signal using Morse code. The code, sent by radio, consisted of long and short sound pulses that appear on paper as dots and dashes. The Titanic's message was immediately received, but unfortunately it took hours for a rescue boat to reach the sinking ship. Still, the efficiency of Morse code undoubtedly saved many lives on that fateful day. In Morse code, each letter of the alphabet and numbers are represented by the pattern of short and long pulses. Whether sent by sound, light or symbols on paper,Morse code even today is a quick and effective way to send a message.

This type of communication ...

• can be heard.
• was used on a memorable occasion.
• mimics oral communication.
• has symbols that can be used in two ways.
• sends a signal from an elevated place.
• is inherited through a family tradition.
• is still considered a fast and reliable form of communication.
• requires a talented sender.
• has different ways of transmission.
• sends a message created on the ground.
• cannot be read by some people.
• is not only used to send messages.
• changes meaning depending on the time and place it is sent.

High above the Rocky Mountains, puffs of smoke from a fire rise up in the air formingspirals, circles, lines and patterns. The fire belongs to a Native American tribe. However, it is not intended for warmth or cooking, but rather to communicate a message to other tribe members. Indians used smoke signals created in a 'fire bowl' to send a variety of messages. These were large saucer-shaped vessels that were dug into the soil at high altitudes, making the smoke signal clearly visible over long distances. The signals created were commonly used to alert allies of approaching danger, or to call fellow tribesmen to a meeting. Each tribe had their own signalling system to keep their messages private from their enemies.

This type of communication ...

• can be heard.
• was used on a memorable occasion.
• mimics oral communication.
• has symbols that can be used in two ways.
• sends a signal from an elevated place.
• is inherited through a family tradition.
• is still considered a fast and reliable form of communication.
• requires a talented sender.
• has different ways of transmission.
• sends a message created on the ground.
• cannot be read by some people.
• is not only used to send messages.
• changes meaning depending on the time and place it is sent.

A lone boat is spotted in a harbour by a large ship. Two coloured flags with shapes on them are flying high above the boat. Upon seeing the flags, the captain of the ship immediately knows a man has fallen overboard and sends help. Flags like these are called maritime flags and are used for communication at sea. There is a flag representing each letter of the alphabet and the numbers. Ships can use the flags to spell out words or combine the two to create a specific message. The meaning of the message is determined by where and when the message is sent.

This type of communication ...

• can be heard.
• was used on a memorable occasion.
• mimics oral communication.
• has symbols that can be used in two ways.
• sends a signal from an elevated place.
• is inherited through a family tradition.
• is still considered a fast and reliable form of communication.
• requires a talented sender.
• has different ways of transmission.
• sends a message created on the ground.
• cannot be read by some people.
• is not only used to send messages.
• changes meaning depending on the time and place it is sent.

The sound of tribal drumming booms across the African plains. Many miles away, a villager is listening intently to the beat. He drums enthusiastically in response. This drumming is the most elaborate form of primitive communication. Due to the fact that the language used by some Nigerian tribes is tonal (each syllable of a word contains either a high, middle or low pitch), drumming can be used to imitate the spoken word. Using this method, complex messages can be sent and understood by villages up to 30km away! Since drums are considered to be a symbol of power in West Africa, only the most skilled drummers are employed for this role. This esteemed ability is often passed down from father to son, and earns the musician great respect among the tribal community. Of course, drumming is also an integral part of African culture, and besides communication, plays animportant role in ceremonies and celebrations.

This type of communication ...

• can be heard.
• was used on a memorable occasion.
• mimics oral communication.
• has symbols that can be used in two ways.
• sends a signal from an elevated place.
• is inherited through a family tradition.
• is still considered a fast and reliable form of communication.
• requires a talented sender.
• has different ways of transmission.
• sends a message created on the ground.
• cannot be read by some people.
• is not only used to send messages.
• changes meaning depending on the time and place it is sent.