allan2
Gone Fishing
"We tend to focus too much on what our own meanings are, and not enough on how they will be decoded by our readers (and listeners)."
Too true. But I'm finding out (well, I knew this, but forgot) that misunderstandings can occur even if you state things clearly with good spelling. How people "decode" what you say seems to have a lot to do with what their thoughts are coming into the discussion, what perceptions or conceptions (or misconceptions) they have about you, etc. Especially here, where we don't really KNOW each other.
I'm not sure how to combat this--I'm sure I've misconstrued people's meanings and intentions here, and I know people have misconstrued mine. But that just shows that words can't convey all the essence of meaning there is.
"The communication of ideas is a complex enough process as it is, to further complicate it with avoidable errors, don't you think?"
Well, if it's not an ambiguous mispelling (i.e. the word misspelt can be reasonably deduced from context), this isn't so much of a problem. As for an unconscious hint of stupidity, I guess I've learned never to underestimate ANYONE--because that can be a tactical error....
Too true. But I'm finding out (well, I knew this, but forgot) that misunderstandings can occur even if you state things clearly with good spelling. How people "decode" what you say seems to have a lot to do with what their thoughts are coming into the discussion, what perceptions or conceptions (or misconceptions) they have about you, etc. Especially here, where we don't really KNOW each other.
I'm not sure how to combat this--I'm sure I've misconstrued people's meanings and intentions here, and I know people have misconstrued mine. But that just shows that words can't convey all the essence of meaning there is.
"The communication of ideas is a complex enough process as it is, to further complicate it with avoidable errors, don't you think?"
Well, if it's not an ambiguous mispelling (i.e. the word misspelt can be reasonably deduced from context), this isn't so much of a problem. As for an unconscious hint of stupidity, I guess I've learned never to underestimate ANYONE--because that can be a tactical error....