Communication Problems

Posted on August 5, 2007
Filed Under Journal |

Communicating successfully has always been a real big problem for me. In early years, the issue was always about trying to convey what I wanted to say - I had a lot of difficulty with that. Then later it became more about finding myself being constantly misunderstood. I had - and still do find communicating easier with writing but even then there are a number of communication problems. So over the years I have slowly learnt to refine the content of my writing, and it is very much an ongoing process. Now-a-days my main issue is with mis-interpretation, and I suspect that a lot of people have this same problem. The problem of mis-interpretation, shows up in my writing when readers tend to latch onto one particular word or sentence. The same happens in speech when people target one particular word or phrase.

How many times have you seen the general message of a largish article or post ignored, whilst a person zeroes in on a particular word or sentence? Fine if they are asking for elaboration, but most often that isn’t the case. Instead the reader lifts the individual word or sentence out of the article, and thus the word or sentence loses its context. This same issue derails so many conversations.

We all tend to attach specific meanings to certain words and phrases, and these meanings tend to be personal. Quite often such meanings are reinforced by emotional attachments. For example, a certain word triggers a specific memory, and then the emotions associated with that memory are overlain upon the current discussion. It’s obvious where the communication problems come in. Maybe your crazy old uncle discussed, “dog breeding” a lot. Perhaps it was a heated subject for him and he always went on and on about it, creating all sorts of drama. Now, years later - every time the same subject is mentioned it triggers those old memories - those emotions have become associated with the word. And those emotions effect your interpretation of the discussion at hand.

Communication Difficulties

Now this doesn’t just happen on an individual level, it is also somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, the words “9/11″, “Muslim”, “God”, “Islamic”, “Patriot”, “Terrorist”, all tend to provoke reactions within people. Interestingly people tend to react in much the same way as each other towards such words. Words that are used as sound-bites to influence a societies response to specific subjects. Those responses are mostly automatic and tend to happen without much conscious thought.

In many cases people don’t know how to react to the word “spirituality” - “Oh, so a treehugger!” is a common response. Is language then, merely about taking a word and then associating it with another word that holds personal meaning? But what if that “personal meaning” is different to the speakers / writers personal meaning?

Personally I believe language is a lot deeper than that - and much of its modern every-day cultural use is somewhat of a degradation. That the modern usage of language is a lazy way in which to interpret things, lazy because it requires very little in the way of conscious thought and instead relies upon a hazy collection of loosely associated memories and emotions.

Communication Help

As a person learning effective ways to communicate (both written and spoken) this presents a massive challenge. I have learnt that sentence structure is paramount, because it greatly affects interpretation - and in fact is one of the things that can over come the above problems. However sentence structure doesn’t necessarily transcend the cultural barrier into foreign languages.

In any case - I have also learnt that “less is more”. Convoluted sentences and wording are certainly a thing to avoid, and clean, concise and fun writing is certainly an aspiration. Any tips and suggestions are most welcome…

Comments

2 Responses to “Communication Problems”

Angela on August 17th, 2007 6:32 am

My husband calls this phenomenon having an ‘already always.’ People have certain programmed responses which are difficult to overcome. The CIA calls it a ’slide response.’

It can be difficult to write and express oneself without displeasing someone or another. In life I believe by actions, setting a good example, is better than talk in many cases. In writing I suppose being aware of semantic assumptions can help but again - can’t please all the people all the time! you’re words are quite fathomable to me, by the way.
-Angela
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Marcus on August 17th, 2007 2:16 pm

I like that term “already always”
It is interesting that you mention the CIA reference to this. It’s something that both the media and governments (not forgetting employers) regularly take advantage of.

Glad you can understand my words - sometimes I think I end up on the paranoid end of the stick regarding my communication!
I wonder if anyone has ever came up with a writing style that is universally understood? Or perhaps language doesn’t allow for that?
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