You may have observed that when speaking with another individual, you read them not only by what they say, but how they say it, what their eyes are doing during the verbal exchange, and how their body is positioned as they speak. Body language and tone are as vital to clear communication as is word choice.
Over the years, methods of communication have morphed from face-to-face into a long list. We can write letters, talk over the phone, send instant messages, exchange emails or use videophones. We can send texts and pictures through cyberspace at lightning speed. We can even use paintings and sculptures to communicate. But when it comes to a one-on-one conversation, beware: without hearing one's voice or seeing their eyes, correct usage of language is vital for understanding.
Today, it seems, the majority of communication has shifted towards emails, text messages and online communities like Facebook. These are some of the most dangerous areas for communication to exist because it's too easy to become sloppy with our writing. It's easy to begin abbreviating, using fewer words and skipping punctuation. It's faster. It appears to be more precise. But in reality, it has made us lazy and caused more miscommunication than the speed is worth. Let me give you just a couple small examples.
I might type to someone (email, Facebook, text message or other):
"I'll meet you after work."
The other person might respond:
"Oh ok."
What does that response really mean? Does it mean, "Oh! Ok." Or does it mean, "Oh... ok." ?
The first option would indicate surprise and evoke a pleasant feeling, all because of a little exclamation point. The second would indicate hesitation and lack of enthusiasm, all because of a little ellipsis. Now, had we been standing face to face, I would have seen a facial expression. I would have seen eyes and shoulders to automatically know which emotion was being felt. Even if the conversation had happened over the phone, there would have been tone and voice inflection.
Here's another one.
I might type:
"I got the promotion I wanted."
The response might be:
"Great"
Hmm... are they excited or jealous or just plain don't care? This one's a little trickier because an exclamation point would immediately solve the question. "Great!" probably means they're excited for me. A simple period or no punctuation results in wondering if perhaps they wanted that promotion instead of me or maybe they're just distracted. If they're not all that excited, but they genuinely feel good for me, they could respond with, "Great. So proud of you." How easy is that? Or are their thumbs too tired? Again, if face-to-face there would be no question as to how they felt about my news.
I could make a whole list of examples, but here's my point: adding punctuation and/or taking the time to add a few extra words can and will result in much more efficient communication. In our culture, we have grown rushed and/or lazy. We are too busy to communicate properly, or we're just plain lazy and don't want to bother. Let the other person figure it out. They know us, right? They should understand what we're saying. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. Fights can start over the absence of a comma...and I'm not kidding.
Communicating through type/text is something that needs to be taken more seriously. The world needs to cease laziness and ignorance, and begin paying attention to proper grammar and punctuation. Maybe in school it didn't seem to make sense, and perhaps it even seemed silly. But it's now being proven that a lack of knowledge, or the refusal to use that knowledge, results in miscommunication over and over and over again. Why continue?
Use punctuation - if you don't have a good grasp on punctuation, learn. Add the necessary words. Take ten seconds more and avoid the stress of miscommunication. We all have the time for that.
No comments:
Post a Comment