What’s the suitable word?

There’s always a proper word to express a situation. Sometimes the proper word isn’t suitable, depending on the context or on the person who is dealing with it. In order to choose a word wisely one has to master both the context and the vocabulary within it. Words once chosen, said or written, send a message, not necessarily the same intended by the speaker or by the author, but a meaning heard or read that echoes throughout someone else’s mind. Comprehension is a two-way road and there has been a lot of misunderstanding so far mainly due to misinterpretation or the lack of willingness to try to see through different lenses instead of applying only what one knows about the topic. The context is as important as the words chosen. Communication is a powerful tool in this sense.

Before the digital world and social media, words used to be not in the shadow, but not as bright as they are today; so as the ability of choosing carefully the words to express an opinion. A really interesting exercise is to tell a group of people a story and ask them to choose a single word that best describes their understanding of it. The list of words would be as diverse as the minds in the group. And by assuming that all of them are being sincere and not manipulated by other person’s view on the subject, it’s possible to reach a conclusion. A conclusion based on the different meanings the same story has to each and all of them. At this moment the ability of listening carefully to what is being expressed is the real sense of communication.

Words carry meanings.

The meaning depends on you.

The meaning depends on me.

The meaning depends on us.

Words have to make sense.

Words have to be meaningful.

Otherwise wouldn’t be a tool.

A powerful tool that makes us fool.

A powerful tool that makes us useful.

Words are the only tool

Which enables us not to be dull.

by Ale Madia