Post by Chips on Oct 17, 2012 12:30:28 GMT 9.5
Beware of using words that wound Max Fatchen
The Advertiser
September 28, 20129:30PM
DESPITE all the modern-day technology, humans are the first word processors. We must be wary of words that wound.
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HAVE you been speaking out of turn lately or saying too much? It seems every electronic device is loaded with talk.
People like to speak their minds so why not have your say - but how free are you to say it?
After all, the great Frenchman Voltaire said he might disapprove of what a person said but would defend to death the person's right to say it.
We are aware, or should be, of the wonderful words in our language, which has culled wonderful words from other languages.
People can be lazy about language, preferring some hackneyed four-letter word when there are plenty of others more colourful and graphic.
Words can uplift or give hurt. So do we say what we mean or mean what we say? Do we resort to meaningless monosyllables?
Mind you, I haven't come across many people to whom I can apply the old-fashioned term tongue-tied.
I have some outspoken young women friends to whom I listen with great respect.
I have listened in my long life to my very articulate beloved and let her have her say - usually in the right - so I often was a noiseless nodder in agreement. She was a teacher and words were at her command.
One of the daunting expressions in my career has been "I want a word with you", which has led to a number of them, often in admonishment.
On the other hand, "Can I have a word?" has a hint of entreaty about it.
There is the case where one is confronted by "What have you got to say for yourself?"
I have dredged around in my clumsy mind looking for excuses but they have never been there when I wanted them.
But answering back, particularly in my younger days, was not always a wise course or even discourse.
Certainly friends and relatives commenting on my conduct in disapproval had said "Words fail us" but only rarely, of course.
There is the other comment: "We are lost for words."
But I can't stand around waiting for them to find some.
There are always impatient people who say they can't get a word in edgeways, but it all depends on the kind of word it is or what kind of edge it has.
I am now a retired guest speaker to everyone's relief but I always dreaded the person who rose to introduce me with a few words.
I have sat through some very long introductions in which the person fitted in a couple of stories I had intended to use myself.
When I have at last risen to my feet it has just been my luck that they decided to serve the sweets.
How could I give total attention to my diction and speech content when someone was consuming trifle at my elbow?
In other cases I have shortened my speech before the ice cream melted.
There was muted cheering at the end because many people still had their mouths full.
Mind you, I have learnt a bit watching parliamentary Question Time, one thing being an interjection is not something you have to prevent the flu.
Just one more saying to the wise. Watch your language.
Be wary of words that wound.
And don't forget, despite all the technology, we were the first word processors.
The Advertiser
September 28, 20129:30PM
DESPITE all the modern-day technology, humans are the first word processors. We must be wary of words that wound.
----------
HAVE you been speaking out of turn lately or saying too much? It seems every electronic device is loaded with talk.
People like to speak their minds so why not have your say - but how free are you to say it?
After all, the great Frenchman Voltaire said he might disapprove of what a person said but would defend to death the person's right to say it.
We are aware, or should be, of the wonderful words in our language, which has culled wonderful words from other languages.
People can be lazy about language, preferring some hackneyed four-letter word when there are plenty of others more colourful and graphic.
Words can uplift or give hurt. So do we say what we mean or mean what we say? Do we resort to meaningless monosyllables?
Mind you, I haven't come across many people to whom I can apply the old-fashioned term tongue-tied.
I have some outspoken young women friends to whom I listen with great respect.
I have listened in my long life to my very articulate beloved and let her have her say - usually in the right - so I often was a noiseless nodder in agreement. She was a teacher and words were at her command.
One of the daunting expressions in my career has been "I want a word with you", which has led to a number of them, often in admonishment.
On the other hand, "Can I have a word?" has a hint of entreaty about it.
There is the case where one is confronted by "What have you got to say for yourself?"
I have dredged around in my clumsy mind looking for excuses but they have never been there when I wanted them.
But answering back, particularly in my younger days, was not always a wise course or even discourse.
Certainly friends and relatives commenting on my conduct in disapproval had said "Words fail us" but only rarely, of course.
There is the other comment: "We are lost for words."
But I can't stand around waiting for them to find some.
There are always impatient people who say they can't get a word in edgeways, but it all depends on the kind of word it is or what kind of edge it has.
I am now a retired guest speaker to everyone's relief but I always dreaded the person who rose to introduce me with a few words.
I have sat through some very long introductions in which the person fitted in a couple of stories I had intended to use myself.
When I have at last risen to my feet it has just been my luck that they decided to serve the sweets.
How could I give total attention to my diction and speech content when someone was consuming trifle at my elbow?
In other cases I have shortened my speech before the ice cream melted.
There was muted cheering at the end because many people still had their mouths full.
Mind you, I have learnt a bit watching parliamentary Question Time, one thing being an interjection is not something you have to prevent the flu.
Just one more saying to the wise. Watch your language.
Be wary of words that wound.
And don't forget, despite all the technology, we were the first word processors.