Apr 222010
It’s not what you say but the way that you say it. I just came across this short video that illustrates the point rather nicely (along with multiple meanings of ‘whatever’).
Here the issue was predominantly pronunciation – or intonation to be specific. I think it’s a nice illustration of how meaning is not just conveyed with words. So much more is involved.
That example is so very true! Even email, tweets, forums and blog comments can fall victim to misunderstandings… Thanks Vicki–you find the greatest topics!
A warm and fuzzy, happy blog birthday, Vicki 🙂
Oh, and this has happened to me many times.
I don’t know why, but it reminds me of this old joke.
delete the whole comment if you don’t like it Vicki.
An old man decided his old wife was getting hard of hearing.
So he called her doctor to make an appointment to have her hearing checked.
The Doctor said he could see her in two weeks, and meanwhile there’s a simple, informal test the husband could do to give the doctor some idea of the dimensions of the problem.
“Here’s what you do. Start about 40 feet away from her, and speak in
a normal conversational tone and see if she hears you. If not, go to 30
feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.”
So that evening she’s in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he’s in the
living room, and he says to himself,
“I’m about 40 feet away, let’s see what happens.”
“Honey, what’s for supper?” No response.
So he moves to the other end of the room, about 30 feet away.
“Honey, what’s for supper?” No response.
So he moves into the dining room, about 20 feet away.
“Honey, what’s for supper?” No response.
On to the kitchen door, only 10 feet away.
“Honey, what’s for supper?”. No response.
So he walks right up behind her.
“Honey, what’s for supper?”
“For the FIFTH time, CHICKEN!!!!”
Happy 1st Blog birthday, Vicki!! Congratulations! There’s no looking back now. Blogging is definitely life-changing. Glad to know you in the blogging sorority.
Holly Anne and Janet,
Thank you so much for the kind words and birthday greetings!
Blogging has been a terrific learning experience for me and the very best thing has been the folks I’ve met and new friends I’ve found. Look forward to spending the next year in your very good company.
Chris – what’s amazing is that although I have a lousy memory for jokes and normally just don’t tell them, the only one that I do sometimes tell is that one! Ha! How did you know I’d like that?
er, because you’re female? 🙂
… or maybe Chris knows that your husband`s slightly deaf? ;P