© 2014, IJARCSMS All Rights Reserved 40 | P age ISSN: 2321-7782 (Online) Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2014 International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies Research Paper Available online at: www.ijarcsms.com Significance of Email Communication in Today’s World Rajani Mevada Department of English and Communication Skills S. M. Patel Institute of Commerce Ahmedabad - India Abstract: Email or Electronic mail is considered as one of the premier uses of Internet. It is a flexible and handy tool of communication via the electronic medium. Its most attractive features are: speed, portability and versatility. Email is a system of global communication in which the user can compose a message in his or her account and send it to person/s possessing email accounts. It is an exchange of information among online service provider users. The message sent can be regenerated at the receiver’s email account within seconds. Over the years, a number of tools of electronic communication such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs etc. have emerged yet email has retained its charm and will continue to do so in the future. Due to its unique features and adaptability, it lends itself to a number of uses. The advancement of technology and the flooding of smart internet enabled phones, in present times, checking, sending and receiving emails is not only restricted to PC or laptops but it can be accessed on the cell-phones also making email communication accessible at all times. Email communication is used in almost all aspects of human interaction. It is used for formal as well as informal communication It is used for interaction in marketing, news, academics, broking etc. alongwith large number of other areas. The present paper focuses on the significance of email and its various uses. Keywords: Email Communication, Electronic communication, Versatility, Adaptability and Advancement of Technology. I. INTRODUCTION Kennedy feels, “Communication is the principal mechanism through which human relations exist. Purposeful and meaningful communication in different forms (e.g. speech and writing) is the key factor that separates human beings from all other species… Communication is such ever present part of our daily lives that even deciding not to communicate is in itself a form of communication (Kennedy 1) 3 . In ancient times, communication was possible by primitive modes like signs, symbols etc. Gradually, more advanced modes of communication emerged and electronic communication began to gain popularity. One such mode is email. It is the abbreviated version of ‘electronic mail’. It has considered as one of the first uses of interne t. Over the passage of time, new modes of communication have been available for internet users; but email has managed to retain its popularity because of its unique features and flexibility. An email is an exchange of information among online service provider users for a variety of purposes. The term has been defined thus, Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ‘email’ as, • n. the system of sending messages by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network. • v. mail or send using email (COD). 1 The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines ‘email’ as, 1. A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network, as between personal computers. 2. A message or messages sent or received by such a system. (Thefreedictionary.com) 2