Reading & Writing Posts

[Larry124]

Excerpted from Parade Magazine, authored by Marilin von Savant:

“Educators define four categories of vocabulary. Our reading vocabulary is the largest by far, followed by our listening vocabulary. Then comes our speaking vocabulary, which is much smaller, and finally our writing vocabulary, which is smaller still.”

For example: “To read, one need only recognize the word and comprehend its meaning in context. To speak, one must recall the particular word without prompting and insert it instantly into the appropriate context. That’s much more difficult.”

So we read posts with our largest vocabulary, but write posts with our smallest.

Now I know why I often respond with few sentence and short sentences. And post in my own version of a conversational style. And even then revise before I post.

And, why it's an easy temptation to “read between the lines”, or to read into a post more than is there.
There may be more, or less, than intended. But only the author can know what it is.

Just to say (to use an idiom) that we should “cut each other some slack” and perhaps delay or forgo a reply if we’ve read ourselves into a temper.


Sideways to the topic: “Whisky-speak” begins with a wonderful and witty (at least to the speaker) energetic outpouring and excess of vocabulary. And eventually sinks into sentences of few and short words. Including perhaps rude words. Exclamations. Or to a semi-private vocabulary that only the slurry speaker understands. Been there, done that.

[Larry124]

Reply from my Whisky vocabulary: Huh? (Alternate: Wha?)

[robthehiker]

And, why it's an easy temptation to “read between the lines”, or to read into a post more than is there.
There may be more, or less, than intended. But only the author can know what it is.

Just to say (to use an idiom) that we should “cut each other some slack” and perhaps delay or forgo a reply if we’ve read ourselves into a temper.

Well put Larry. I've written quite a few posts more than I've actually posted because I've caught myself thinking "did he/she really mean that or am I taking something out of context?". If I'm not sure then I don't post.

[Larry124]

Robthehiker -
From one Samurai to another, and to take up the Kilted Samurai theme from another post…
And to go off topic on my own topic.

As I (pretend to) understand it, in Zen you progress from Beginner’s Mind through intermediate stages to Master/Teacher.

And then ideally back (up) to Beginner’s Mind.
That purest of Minds which does not distract itself with duality (good kilt/bad kilt).

Before I knew about kilts, a kilt was just a kilt.
As I learn, a kilt is more than just a kilt.
If I become enlightened, a kilt will again be just a kilt.

[SteveB]

I find it amazing the number of times I have read through an entire thread to find that a good many posts did not comprehend the original post or forgot it by the time they posted. At the other end of the spectrum, are the posts that are obviously oblivious to many of the posts between the original and theirs...almost like they replied to the original post without reading anything on the thread.
My next bone to pick is about replies to posts without checking the profile you are posting to. Whenever there is a new thread started, and it takes into the character of the thread originator, it is helpful to check the public profile. Here some of us list our hobbies and occupations. This is also useful in tailoring a reply to welcome a new member to our forum. A little personal consideration can help with making communication even more meaningful.
:END Rant:
Sainte

[Beertigger]

Reply from my Whisky vocabulary: Huh? (Alternate: Wha?)

Better: Whuh?

; )

[Splinty]

Comic Tommy Tiernan had an amusing bit about context and the deterioration of vocabulary based on the state the speaker was in... I'd have to dig it up but it has something to do with his friend saying something horrifying on a flight home to Dublin from London. Worth looking for on YouTube since I'm not sure his comedy is family friendly enough to link to.