the context of words

[luxdivon]

This is one of those topics that will most likely go on into infinity. Are the context of words important? Is how we say them, the facial gestures we use to speak, our body language, or implied tone & tone of voice, does this in fact impart some kind of meaning? or are just the literal words one speaks to be taken at face value. Of course I would be one to say that context is important. Almost more important than the actual words themselves. Others however disagree, and say that what I might think is potentially just a fabrication in my head. That it may mean that, it may mean something totally different. It is entirely and essentially subjective. So how do we analyze the subjective into something that makes sense. I instantaneously react to facial expressions, tone of voice, the words chosen, and interpret them in what they "seem" to be saying. I believe it is real, but then again it is also not real because there is room for error, for interpretation for misunderstanding. I also would say that so much of the back & forth of everyone has so much to do with context, rather than the actual words themselves. What do we do with this? How do we understand it better? How do we integrate it into our world for better good. ?

[david]

Many religions suggest that a simple Word created All that IS. And to your point, "I interpret them in what they "seem" to be saying. I believe it is real" and poof - you contributed to the Co-Creation of All that IS. Back to religions, they also suggest that limitting speech to the needful creates more harmony.

[Johnny-Angel]

I agree, but the experience is only useful if we are paying attention...

great advice lane!

[lane]

we just have to do the best we can. But not to worry, experience is what we get when something doesn't turn out as planned.

[Johnny-Angel]

words do have meaning! and most of the time these words have a fixed definition, that is usually what I go by. however that word can change depending on how you use it, the intent. I think it's important to be aware of such things like body language and the tone, because these have meaning aswell. communication can be a tricky thing. specially over the internet. things like sarcasm just confuse things, and are very hard to read, most of the time, I would say, people use sarcasm to hide the truth, some may say they use sarcasm to express the truth... but then why not just say the truth to begin with...

[luxdivon]

but how are we to know we are understanding something correctly? how are we to know that someone is correctly understanding us? It is a topic that I think about on almost a daily basis, as it is so much of our world : speech and the context it is in. But depending on the place I am required to adjust. At work for instance, if I would like to keep my job, then it is imperative that I say things politely. I don't always say what I mean, and mean what I say there. And albeit I agree it is in so many ways a lie, it is a lie that is accepted in todays world. Now in my daily life, some of that carries over because I speak that way ALL DAY LONG. So that saying exactly what we mean, does not even really come naturally. This is of course my own situation. Everyone else has theirs as well, and how words & context fit into their world/life. I do find it interesting that you say how much it matters how you say things. And these 'special words' what kind of words are these? And what do we think about the people reacting to the way we say things? whose responsibility is it? if the way we say things is angering people is it the speaker or the listeners responsibility to take that into account? or both? Anger is not bad, and anger should not be vilified, but when is anger appropriate and when is it not? I feel there is some line there, otherwise everyone being angry all the time, just doesn't seem to be the beacon of light we're all looking for. And if there's anger more often than not, then it has to be the anger inside of us that's eating at us, infecting our entire world does it not? I seem to be going on forever. I have tons of more thoughts, but i guess i'll stop here. Just in advance, I would like to state, that everything i have said here is not directed at you, or at anyone. I am not trying to "say" anything deeper by adding this comment. I learned long ago, it is of no use to try to persuade someone to be different than how they are. They are merely questions I ponder and enjoy discussing.

[lane]

This is a fundamental element in writing. What we say has no meaning, it only matters how we say it. There are many special words that can give away our hand. Some people aren't aware of them, and don't understand the reactions of others to what they say. It is important to say what you mean, and mean what you say. Especially with metaphors, figurative speech, sarcasm, satire, euphemisms, symbolism, and anything else our words really mean.