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Yesterday I confessed that the word ‘proactive’ triggers an emotional response in me quite different from its dictionary meaning. Since words are one of our principle communication tools , when a word gets a ‘reputation’ or ‘goes off the reservation’ so to speak, it loses value big time. It is like an unguided missile.
Words only mean what we think they mean
Since words mean something only in the brain of the listener or reader, my negative reaction to a word in no way reflects the impression that is has on others. Yesterday Karen responded very reasonably in a comment that while she could clearly see that I get my panties in a bunch over proactive, she finds it very helpful in describing how she keeps her life on track. I had to agree with her. Just because I can’t stand a word doesn’t make it useless for others – unless they are trying to communicate with me- and , of course there is the problem for all of us.
Words can take up with the wrong crowd
Proactive, the word, has kept bad company in my world and I don’t trust it. In Karen’s world, proactive has been a model citizen. This just shows how unreliable words are for communication tools. They develop meaning and nuance for individuals that goes far beyond the dictionary meaning. Words take on a life of their own.
Words are a problem
This creates a real problem for writers. Words are our tools in making thoughts concrete and the principle means for translating thoughts from our brains to other people’s brains. But even though we try to pin down the meaning of words by creating dictionaries, words are squirmy, devious things that shape-shift and metamorphose in front of our eyes and behind our backs. The clear idea that I have when I say proactive is quite different from the equally clear idea that forms in Karen’s mind.
Words are out of our control
Musing over this problem only points out the terrible peril for writers as they try to put their thoughts into words. Clear as we might be in getting the words to line up with our thoughts, we are powerless to control the interpretation of those words by the person reading them.
Karen will use the word proactive to represent all the positive qualities she recognizes for the word. I will hear the word and rather than understanding those positive qualities, I will see manipulation and trickery. It is a terrible burden for a writer because it is hard enough to assemble the right words to convey your thoughts. It becomes much more difficult when you realize that you must also understand how the reader will interpret those words in his own mind.
Agreed there; have a similar issue with the word ‘fine’. In some cases it’s meant as being ok, or even good weather or whatever, usually when I (or those close to me) use it it means something much less pleasant.
Everything’s subjective really, makes you wonder how people understand each other at all.
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Heather,
You make a really good point. I think our usual communications don’t work very well and we truly work blind in our relationships because of it.
I totally get you Ralph. Don’t get me to thinking so deep though.. I have enough problems with this shiz.. LOL Reminds me of an article I wrote recently sharing about ‘The Sum of All Parts’ does anyone really know. Heather made it simple though using ‘fine’ perfect Heather, that’s why I love your comments.
Very thought provoking Ralph.
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Ralph,
An interest thought, I’ve not yet read your post of the previous day; however I take your point about how certain words are the ‘language of evil’ to one person while they are ‘sweet music’ to others. I guess it’s one of those things that makes read so colourful and exciting; dealing with the message and the words chosen to deliver the message.
Thank you for sharing.
Regards
Paul
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Lee,
I agree. Life is complicated enough without having to think too. Heather does make good comments also.
Paul,
You raise a good point. The difficulty and risk of communication is exciting both as a reader and a writer. If every word was an exact representation of something, there would be no magic.
Might be slightly off topic this one but the problem I have with words (apart from reading them in the first place) is that it can be difficult to give them tone.. do you see what I mean?
Say something by voice and it can sound and be taken completely differently to how it would be read
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That is an excellent point James. Spoken words add entirely different levels of complexity to just understanding the meaning. I was only thinking about writing but, of course, these days you are so into speaking. I’m always playing catchup.