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Two words
research and more research. That is how you find the perfect word to fit the perfect article. I hate research.
posted by
8-ball
on September 23, 2006 at 6:25 AM
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Julia, interesting post!
I think it is wonderful that we can say so many things in so many different ways. It does lead to frustration, but this is inevitable in any communication, I feel. In most situations, this means very little, as you simply elaborate and then move on. Some of my greatest moments are times when I see words from a different angle, and it completely changes the meaning. For example, my professor once seperated out the word "understanding" into it's two components: standing under. She argued this meant we must be submissive in order to comprehend something, and I think my mouth literally dropped open when she said it, because it was such a radical change for me!
posted by
Artifact
on September 22, 2006 at 9:51 PM
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There are a lot of words that describe something in another language,
but we don't have that same word in English. It is some times frustrating when I can't find words in English, so I switch to another language, but then no one understands. It's a lonely feeling.
posted by
bandanafish
on September 22, 2006 at 9:02 PM
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Actually, I had neither of those two options in my mind.
But don't mind me....my mind is in the gutter.
posted by
Afzal_Sunny7
on September 22, 2006 at 6:16 PM
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Julia.,
When you throw in the prepositions, it adds a whole other set of meaings (adding "up" to "beat" makes "beat up" ). I'm amazed when I look in the dictionary that it's the shortest, most common words that have the most meanings. It makes for a good Scrabble game!! I hope you're feeling better.
posted by
Blanche.
on September 22, 2006 at 6:11 PM
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Julia
i doubt that they are as nuanced and complex as ours. You're absolutely right, its a wonder we ever hear correctly. Guess thats why the story changes so much with each person told. Hope you are feeling better
posted by
MysticGmekeepr
on September 22, 2006 at 4:46 PM
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This one will get you thinking. Good post, Julia.
posted by
MaggieMae
on September 22, 2006 at 3:54 PM
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This can lead to misunderstanding of the writer's message
if a reader doesn't fully grasp the language or take the time to absorb the context. One of the most frustrating things about writing I feel - your words and meaning misunderstood!
Great, clear post Julia...:)
posted by
Katray2
on September 22, 2006 at 3:44 PM
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Hot post!
posted by
A-and-B
on September 22, 2006 at 3:38 PM
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English is a complex language. If you take people from different parts of the United States you will hear 10 different ways to say a sentence that has the same meaning, possibly can distinguish what region of the U.S. you are from. Its amazing, I love it!
posted by
charice
on September 22, 2006 at 3:35 PM
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Julia
I've heard that it is this hallmark alone that is responsible for the great difficulty in learning English.
posted by
avant-garde
on September 22, 2006 at 1:58 PM
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Julia
I think that may be part of why people misinterpret some of what others say or write. Everyone isn't as good at semantics as others.
posted by
RAME
on September 22, 2006 at 1:03 PM
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Very interesting....
...and often it's the complexities of the language that allow us to be creative in our writing. I often wonder how many ways a writer can convey one meaning..but they (we) often do!
posted by
ginnieb
on September 22, 2006 at 1:03 PM
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so true
also what baffles me is the "hip" words from each generation. different language slang is hard enough to follow. if i said "youns" would you know what state i live in?
posted by
ladychardonnay
on September 22, 2006 at 12:34 PM
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It is so easy to be misunderstood
especially with the written word. When writing one has to be extremely precise. At least in a face to face conversation one can view the facial expresions of the speaker and this gives a clue to what their words are really meaning
posted by
Tanga
on September 22, 2006 at 12:15 PM
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