Our language is filled with all sorts
of hidden uses and double meanings that, for the new learner, might
be a “tad” difficult to understand at first... I mean,
what exactly does “tad” mean... and, for that matter,
how far actually is “yonder?”
Years ago, I remember one of my
colleagues asking to explain the difference to someone learning the
English language, the difference between, to, too, and
two... in a sentence, so that the person easily
understands which to, two, or too is
being used. It is possible, but not readily available from an easy
point-of-view.
And, while we put adjectives (for the
most part) in front of nouns, verbs, and other adjectives, other
languages put them behind which only serves to confuse the issues.
And then, what about using the right or appropriate or correct (but
according to whom) verb tense when we speak... because, even when we
use the incorrect tense our meaning is still conveyed to the
listener... so, what is really wrong with that?
Even the well educated, in some
instances, have trouble using these two words correctly: effect
and affect... without having to think a little. And, good
and well is often used incorrectly as well... but, that seems
to be less obvious.
But, one of the most important aspects
of any language, especially English, I would think is punctuation;
although, very little importance other than in formal writing has
been given to it... yet, punctuation can be a very powerful tool...
For example... punctuate this
sentence: A woman
with her man is nothing.
- Most males would punctuate it this way: A woman, without her man, is nothing.
- Most females would punctuate it this way: A woman, without her, man is nothing.
We must also take into consideration,
tone of the voice, and whether or not eye contact is being made by
one or both parties when conversations are taking place... as they
too conveys an impression as well as an underlying meaning of the
words, phrases, or sentences being used.
It is commonplace, for example, for a
politician to be shaking your hand while making a comment to you
while looking at another person or the next person in line...
perhaps, to be formulating a comment that he wants or needs to make
to that person... or, trying to anticipate what that person may be
thinking that they want to say to the politician. All-in-all, that
type of behavior associated with appropriate use of the English
language conveys insincerity and distrust... yet, it is oftentimes
used.
So, how does all of this relate to my
topic title you may be wondering because hearing is not really
speaking the English language now is it?
Well, that is true, but we all know
that hearing MUST take place in order for appropriate communications
to take place... and, we all know too that appropriate
communications in almost every set of circumstances does not always
take place in this country and when using the English language...
So, what might be the problem?
The language or us?
Husbands and wives do not often really
listen to what the other is saying after the first few months of
marriage and it gets worse the longer they remain married.
Those who attend church services on a
regular basis, do not always listen to what the minister or clergymen
are trying to convey to the audience and the more often they attend
the worse it becomes.
Those who must communicate at work to
subordinates (including all industries, military, and services)
oftentimes do not really say what they mean to say nor do they convey
it the way they need to convey it and those listening typically only
hear what they want to hear or what their mental paradigm does not
filter out for them.
When we invaded Iran years ago, the
first American casualty was a result of “Friendly Fire,”
which took place because of bad communications between two people.
Can you imagine how the person felt who had to explain that one to
the family of the deceased?
For me this is fascinating... because
it shows me and should the rest of the world, just how difficult
language and communications can be... and yet, language and
communications are so often taken for granted in the business world
as well as in everyday life.
Some of my examples, granted, are in
the extreme but presented that way to make my point... and, I do
realize that they are not always applicable nor do they always fit
the reader's perspectives, experiences, or point-of-views... still,
they are nonetheless fairly accurate when applying the idea in a
generalized way.
Still, it is interesting (at least for
me) because what prompted this article was the fact that when I woke
up today and walking into the kitchen for coffee, music was blasting
out of the Bose Wave Machine as if we had front row seats at an
Eagles Concert... I glared in the direction of my wife who was
looking at something on her iPad and when we made eye contact, she
turned down the NOISE and said:
I was seeing if the song I liked had
made it to number 1 this week...
Well, my first
thought was that she was seeing nothing... she was listening to
determine... but, having learned from previous and rather painful
experiences, I fortunately said nothing but simply proceeded quite
innocently and carefully over to the coffee machine to insert a
pod... I am allowed only decaf coffee pods these days, but I am
still allowed to spoonfuls of Cappuccino Mix...
I sat down on the
couch about the same time that this RAP song started playing and I
said:
Ya know, I think RAP music is the
best music that was every invented by Americans... (pausing as if
to be thinking I was...) including JAZZ...
If looks could kill, I would not be
writing this article right now nor would I be smiling to myself
wondering what the hell I had just gotten into...
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