How can we reduce our words, speak/write to communicate more clearly and more concisely?
In this day when people try to get to the point quickly, skim read through texts and do not pay attention well, it does pay off to present one's point well by getting to the point clearly.
The Plain English Foundation helps people do this in English. They also collect a series of "worst words", where people try to hide or dress up what they say so to seem more intelligent or less offensive.
This year, the Foundation nominated the phrase "conscious uncoupling" to be the worst. This expression was used to mean "divorce" by Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was deemed that such a way of dressing up the truth may be suitable for the speaker, but not really with the clarity that the public is wishing to hear.
Some other examples of such "double speak" is the phrase "rapid disassembly" that was used to mean "exploding airbags", or "pavement failure" to mean "pothole".
What do you think? Do such euphemisms help communication, or do they make the comunication process worse? From whose point of view? Why do people dress up what they wish to say in riddles? Do people try to hide their intentions behind their words?
How will God be pleased with the way we handle ouor words? How can we do it well?
Couple's 'Uncoupling' Ceremony Releases Them From Marriage, Without Getting Divorced http://news.yahoo.com/couples-uncoupling-ceremony-releases-them-marriage-without-getting-183900966--abc-news-topstories.html?utm_content=buffer1988f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
ReplyDeleteBut let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
ReplyDeleteLanguages in 2014: consciously uncoupling the spin http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-31/james-worst-words-of-2014/5994446
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