The transactional model of communication is a dynamic, ongoing process where communication is viewed as a simultaneous, two-way exchange between participants. Unlike earlier models that see communication as one-way or turn- based, the transactional model emphasizes that all parties involved act as both senders and receivers at the same time, continuously encoding, decoding, and responding to messages in real time

. Key characteristics of the transactional model include:

• Simultaneous communication: Both communicators send and receive messages simultaneously, making communication fluid and continuous

• Mutual responsibility: Both parties share responsibility for the effectiveness of communication

• Contextual influence: Communication is shaped by cultural, social, relational, psychological, and physical contexts, which affect how messages are interpreted

• Feedback loops: Communication involves constant feedback and adjustment, with participants negotiating meaning throughout the interaction

• Inclusion of non-verbal cues: Communication includes verbal and non-verbal signals such as body language, tone, and facial expressions, which are integral to meaning

For example, in a face-to-face conversation or a job interview, both parties continuously send verbal and non-verbal messages and adjust their communication based on each other's responses, illustrating the transactional nature of the process

. Dean Barnlund’s version of the model highlights the multi-layered nature of communication, where meaning is negotiated through simultaneous verbal and non-verbal exchanges within a shared social context

. In summary, the transactional model portrays communication as a complex, reciprocal, and context-dependent process where participants are actively engaged in creating shared social realities through continuous interaction