Look at the title, that's what I'm thinking about.
While I was mowing the lawn on Sunday I began to think about this (Mowing the lawn is my philosophical equivalent to some people's showers: it's my thinking spot) . There are words and phrases that only hold their meaning within the context of a language and are lost in translation if ever they attempt the linguistic leap. That is tragic; to be lost in translation. To be floating around as the flotsam and jetsam of dialects, languages, times and verses, trapped in the adverbs and conjugations that come from translation. I feel so limited in my language. I was thinking about songs, and how so much of what is said in lyrics is said in rhyme, and how in another language the words that would rhyme are totally different, so that what can be expressed is going to be completely new to a foreign ear. "Me" is not going to always rhyme with "be" "see" or even "tree". I am not used to the words "Dog" and "closet" rhyming, but in another language it's possible that they could, and could be put together. It just blows my concepts of creation wide open. I feel ignorant and small.
I struggle so relentlessly within the confines of my own tongue; how can I begin to fathom the intricacies of another language? I remember reading that the well educated American knows and uses only a fraction of the English language: something like 10,000 words out of 500,000. Words are wonders to me; I guess I should be introduced to the words in my neighborhood before I leave to meet those of another tongue entirely.
4 comments:
Hi. I find myself needing to dumb down my language constantly because people cant comprehend my English. Also, about that last post...I've spent the better part of 10 years trying to absolve myself of rhetoric while holding on to that which is good about myself, post-religious-cult. Somehow I don't see much difference between that and college philosophies. Now, I have simplified it as much as possible and I say: "The light is this way, the darkness is over there. Follow the light." If I can't figure it out from that, I'm not going to figure it out. :)
That's another problem with language: because it is used to communicate, the words used must be understood by the listener or it is useless. I've had too many people tell me to "use other words" because they didn't know the definition of whatever I had said; some words are not so ubiquitious as to be comprehended by the general public, and those are ususally the most articulated choices. So not only do I limit my vocabulary, the world around me limits it. But should I dumb down my expression for the sake of those receiving it?
Communication has two parts:
transmitter and receiver.
When you have an idea to express, then you are the transmitter.
When you are trying to understand someone else's idea, you are the receiver.
(It's not completely that black and white--part of being a good transmitter is understanding the receiver and vice versa--but you know what I mean).
To answer your question about whether or not you should "dumb down your expression for the sake of those receiving it?" I'd say it depends on how much you care if the person gets what you're saying. However, the term "dumb down" is rather judgmental in nature, starting from a point that 'explaining'='dumbing down.' Perhaps view it as "message adjustment."
On a related note, it's rather paternalistic of one to assume someone else will not understand certain words. As a deference to others' intellect, just be yourself and use whichever words you like. Then, if they don't get it, you can explain.
You're definitely allowed--and I would encourage you to have--personal standards. Not only in grooming and hygiene, but in vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling as well. However, if you have to slip to get your message across, that seems OK.
As long as you know you slipped.
Regarding personal standards, I forgot to also mention them in the fields of sport (such as polo, golf and badminton), academics (knowledge of the Classics and physical sciences). Oh, and chivalry with a focus on etiquette and a strive towards being a dapper gent or faire lady.
You can read more of Emilie's pretentious ideas regarding the quality of life in next week's Saturday Evening Post.
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