[Sort of a log] All Things Communication (previously titled: the language called communication)
Posted: 2018-11-05, 14:10
First things first : I started this thread before I rationally learned how to always use brevity instead of non-necessary verbosity. Wasn't able to do it in a purely intuitive way before.
Even before that event, there was a number of brevity posts.
The Brevity Only part starts here:
https://forum.unilang.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56140&p=1126045#p1126040
I think that even the very verbose posts do contain some useful information, too. But you have been warned .
Also, this log is in "no more output without input" mode now.
Now this thread just might turn out to be one of my most beloved ones.
(Before replying, it could be a good decision to fully read this first post to know what exactly this is all about.)
The topic is conversation, or more specifically:
- reading between the lines
- avoiding misunderstandings and prematurely jumping into conclusions
- patterns of behavior
And it isn't really related to knowing how to say something in Spanish or French for example.
Instead, this is about how languages in general are used to convey certain meanings.
(Now why did I choose this subforum and not another one?
Because I am currently learning more about a language that I already know to some extent, but there still is room for improvement. And that one simply is called communication. Not kidding.)
By whom is this log being written?
By someone who is, at the time writing, half of a geek with some social abilities that he still needs to improve.
What about the contributions of other users?
This log isn't meant to be a monologue at all. On the contrary. While I am not actively asking (as in "please help me finding more mosaic stones that belong to the bigger picture of communication"), I do appreciate finding every single of those stones that really fit in.
What could be an example of something that wouldn't be helpful?
There also is something that would be against the purpose of this thread. An example would be to tell me that, "it simply is plainly wrong to drink tea with/without sugar".
I do have many points of view that agree with those of the vast majority and with what is called "the mainstream". And I do have others, too, that differ. I do not automatically call something right just because the majority says so, but I also don't automatically call it wrong just for the purpose of differing from them either.
So if somebody told me that "it simply is inappropriate to drink tea with/without sugar, period" after I would post something related to Tea Drinking Communication, this wouldn't be the most helpful approach.
On the other hand, if you told me that it is considered wrong by the majority of the inhabitants of a certain country, or even worldwide (in case there is something like "the majority's worldview view on drinking tea with/without sugar"), then this definitely can be one of those mosaic stones I am looking for.
The same also applies to other subjects, and even to things like, "what about starting a conversation about the pros and cons of black tea vs. green tea with someone you don't even know yet?". If you told me something like, "this simply is a no-no and there is nothing left to say", then this wouldn't really be helpful. But if you told me that this and that is the majority's view, then this, again, definitely can be one of those (many) mosaic stones I am looking for.
What exactly do I plan to post in this thread?
Two things:
- Observations of mine, or things I read, about these three topics (reading between the lines, avoiding misunderstandings and premature conclusions, patterns of behavior).
- Direct questions to you all reading it about these topics.
But again, I am not asking in the way of "please, can you help me?". This thread is meant to be something that is of mutual benefit.
Even before that event, there was a number of brevity posts.
The Brevity Only part starts here:
https://forum.unilang.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56140&p=1126045#p1126040
I think that even the very verbose posts do contain some useful information, too. But you have been warned .
Also, this log is in "no more output without input" mode now.
Now this thread just might turn out to be one of my most beloved ones.
(Before replying, it could be a good decision to fully read this first post to know what exactly this is all about.)
The topic is conversation, or more specifically:
- reading between the lines
- avoiding misunderstandings and prematurely jumping into conclusions
- patterns of behavior
And it isn't really related to knowing how to say something in Spanish or French for example.
Instead, this is about how languages in general are used to convey certain meanings.
(Now why did I choose this subforum and not another one?
Because I am currently learning more about a language that I already know to some extent, but there still is room for improvement. And that one simply is called communication. Not kidding.)
By whom is this log being written?
By someone who is, at the time writing, half of a geek with some social abilities that he still needs to improve.
What about the contributions of other users?
This log isn't meant to be a monologue at all. On the contrary. While I am not actively asking (as in "please help me finding more mosaic stones that belong to the bigger picture of communication"), I do appreciate finding every single of those stones that really fit in.
What could be an example of something that wouldn't be helpful?
There also is something that would be against the purpose of this thread. An example would be to tell me that, "it simply is plainly wrong to drink tea with/without sugar".
I do have many points of view that agree with those of the vast majority and with what is called "the mainstream". And I do have others, too, that differ. I do not automatically call something right just because the majority says so, but I also don't automatically call it wrong just for the purpose of differing from them either.
So if somebody told me that "it simply is inappropriate to drink tea with/without sugar, period" after I would post something related to Tea Drinking Communication, this wouldn't be the most helpful approach.
On the other hand, if you told me that it is considered wrong by the majority of the inhabitants of a certain country, or even worldwide (in case there is something like "the majority's worldview view on drinking tea with/without sugar"), then this definitely can be one of those mosaic stones I am looking for.
The same also applies to other subjects, and even to things like, "what about starting a conversation about the pros and cons of black tea vs. green tea with someone you don't even know yet?". If you told me something like, "this simply is a no-no and there is nothing left to say", then this wouldn't really be helpful. But if you told me that this and that is the majority's view, then this, again, definitely can be one of those (many) mosaic stones I am looking for.
What exactly do I plan to post in this thread?
Two things:
- Observations of mine, or things I read, about these three topics (reading between the lines, avoiding misunderstandings and premature conclusions, patterns of behavior).
- Direct questions to you all reading it about these topics.
But again, I am not asking in the way of "please, can you help me?". This thread is meant to be something that is of mutual benefit.