Plain language

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?

Be like Muslims

Bill Cosby was quoted to have said:

I am a Christian. But Muslims are misunderstood. Intentionally misunderstood. We should all be more like them. They make sense, especially with their children. There is no other group like Muslims, who put so much effort into teaching children the right things:

* They don't smoke
* They don't drink alcohol
* They protect their women
* They command respect

What do you think of this statement?  Would you agree with him?

Is Cosby an expert in such matters for this statement to be taken as a fact?

Why do you think Muslims are "intentionally misunderstood"?  Or are they just misunderstood, howbeit unintentionally?  Or perhaps understood correctly?

Is this a plot to draw people to consider converting to Islam?

Do you think Muslims behave well?  Do they really not smoke, not drink alcohol, protect their women and command respect as what Cosby said?  Are these really virtues?  Do they teach their children these things?

Do these characteristics represent all Muslims? Or just some of them?  Do non-Muslims uphold such values also?

I am not saying that Cosby is wrong.  I am just surprised to see  that a web page puts such emphasis on what he said.  I am not sure if Muslims are really misunderstood or that Cosby's description is right.  I think that Christians should respect Muslims, and vice-versa ... but we should believe and serve the One True God and not be taken in by words of respect that may turn out to be deceptive.

What do you think?

Not translatable

Can you think of anything you wish to express that anybody else would not be able to pick up exactly what you mean?

If it is an emotion, then empathy goes a long way in understanding another.

In language, most words translate across to other languages, although there are many exceptions to this rule.  Some languages have words that other languages do not.  Some have words to express tenses, whereas others express tenses as prefixes, suffixes, or not at all.

Huffington Post listed 11 words that do not translate, but I know a few more to add to the list.  I also know that languages change over time, and it is impossible to keep a current list of words in all languages.

Are there other things that do not translate well?

Have you wondered how the words spoken by politicians in democratic countries are often represented more negatively than what the politicians probably mean?

Are there words that capture what people think of Miley Cyrus' raunchy act?

Can guys really understand what girls feel?  (I'm sure they can, most of the time - they are equally human, after all, but maybe girls may have some emotions guys do not understand.)

What of cross-cultural miscommunications?  Things your spouse may not understand because he/she was raised up differently?

What else?

What do you think?