In telecommunications

A back-channel (also reverse channel, return channel or upstream channel

Upstream (networking)

In computer networking, upstream refers to the direction in which data can be transferred from the client to the server . This differs greatly from downstream not only in theory and usage, but also in that upstream speeds are usually at a premium...

) is typically a low-speed, or less-than-optimal, transmission channel in the opposite direction to the main channel.

In IT Security

The method a malicious program uses to secretly communicate to command and control servers from a compromised computer. Typically this communication is used by malware

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...

 to request instructions, upload data and download other modules of code to be used by the compromised computer.

In diplomacy

A back channel in the language of diplomacy

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...

 is an unofficial channel of communication

Communication

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...

 between states

Sovereign state

A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...

 or other political entities, used to supplement official channels, often for the purposes of discussing highly sensitive policy issues.

In linguistics

In Linguistics, backchannels are listener responses that can be both verbal and non-verbal in nature.

The term backchannel was designed to imply that there are two channels of communication operating simultaneously during a conversation. The predominant channel is that of the speaker who directs primary speech flow. The secondary channel of communication (or backchannel) is that of the listener which functions to provide continuers or assessments, defining a listener's comprehension and/or interest.

Due to research development in recent years, backchannel responses have been expanded to include sentence completions, requests for clarification, brief statements, and non-verbal responses and now fall into three categories: non-lexical, phrasal, and substantive.

1. A non-lexical backchannel is a vocalized sound that has little or no referential meaning but still verbalizes the listener's attention. In English, sounds like "uh-huh" and "hmm" serve this role.
2. Phrasal backchannels most commonly assess or acknowledge a speakers communication with simple words or phrases (for example, "Really?" or "Wow!" in English)
3. Substantive backchannels consist of more substantial turn taking by the listener and usually manifest as asking for clarification or repetitions.

Backchannel communication is present in all cultures and languages though frequency and use may vary. Confusion and/or distraction can occur during an intercultural

Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication is a form of global communication. It is used to describe the wide range of communication problems that naturally appear within an organization made up of individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. Intercultural communication is...

 encounter if participants from both parties are unfamiliar or unaccustomed to the backchannel norms of the opposing communicator.

In business

In business

Business

A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...

, back-channeling is an organizational practice that involves bypassing recognized or official communication processes, usually by sharing information anonymously up the reporting structure at least two levels, bypassing the chain of command

Chain of Command

Chain of Command may refer to:* Chain of command, in a military context, the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed* "Chain of Command" , the fifth episode of the first season of Beast Wars...

 in order to create vulnerability at the level(s) skipped. It is a means by which lower-level members can manipulate perceived power differentials with a superior through a more senior accommodating manager in the organization.

In medicine

In medicine

Medicine

Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....

, back-channeling is much the same as in the business application which involves "inappropriate organizational practice" as it comprises the disparate exchange of data on a patient in utilizing their medical records. The Veterans Administration

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...

 may do less back-channeling than other medical systems because they openly admit to "flagging" problem patients in their computer system, and they strive to give disclosure and apologies for medical mistakes. On the whole, any back-channeling efforts in medicine are usually done as the result of risk management

Risk management

Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...

 practices.

In public speaking

In public speaking

Public speaking

Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...

, back-channeling is the practice of electronically passing notes among some or all of the audience/students during the lecture. This practice may be sanctioned as useful for speakers who are attempting to dynamically modify their presentations based on immediate feedback from the audience. It may be unsanctioned and discouraged as distracting for the presenter. Meebo

Meebo

Meebo is a social platform connecting users with their friends across the web. It began in 2005 as a browser based instant messaging program which supported multiple IM services, including Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, ICQ, MySpaceIM, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, CafeMom and...

 and Twitter

Twitter

Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...

are among the common back channeling devices.

External links

• (Linguistics) Back-Channel Facts website