Figures in the garden, perhaps (6)

I believe the answer is:

gnomes

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'figures' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for gnomes that I've seen before include "Ornamental garden dwarfs" , "Garden dwarfs from Zurich?" , "Legendary dwarfs" , "Snog me (anag)" , "Legendary little men, in the garden perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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