You transmit and receive meaning through a communication system that uses tools, such as words, sounds, tones, rhythm, touch, movement and so on. Words are a powerful tool within the system. They are used more consciously than any of the other tools.
This entry is the first in a series of blog entries about word choices, I will focus on two perspectives:
1. How you, as a sender, can use words to send a message that reduces ambiguity
2. How you, as a receiver, can ask the sender questions to eliminate ambiguity triggered by their word choices.
Let’s start with the word, “we.” According to www.wordcount.org, it’s the thirty-third most used word in the English language.
I believe “we” is often used to escape responsibility. For instance, when I hear “We decided to…”, it’s more difficult for me to interpret than when I hear “I decided to…”
Saying “I” makes the meaning explicit. Without a clear context, choosing to say “we” creates ambiguity.
Recievers, when you hear, “We decided to…”, are you certain whether even the speaker was part of making the decision. If you aren’t, ask for clarification. I recommend asking, “I heard the word, ‘we.’ Who does the ‘we’ refer to?” If you. the receiver, are still uncertain about whether the speaker is being referenced, I recommend you ask, “What was your role in making the decision?”
Senders, when you catch yourself about to say “We decided to…,” I suggest testing it’s transmission effectiveness. First, ask yourself whether saying, “I decided to…” is a more effective statement. If it is, no more tests are necessary.
Second, ask yourself whether you are a member of the group being referenced. If the reference includes you, proceed to the next test. Otherwise, you are on shaky ground. What will you say if someone asks you, “What was your role in making the decision?” If you are a spokesperson for an executive or a group of executives, avoid ambiguity and looking clumsy by saying “Joe CEO decided to…” or “The Board of Directors decided to…”
Third, ask yourself whether the meaning is clearer by specifying each member of the group referred to by “we,” for instance, “Jacqueline, Anthony, Josephine and I decided…” If this test seems like too much trouble, what will you say if someone asks you, “I heard the word, ‘we.’ Who does the ‘we’ refer to?”
Despite that “we” is the thirty-third most used word in the English language, it’s a word that creates ambiguity. Receivers, be ready to eliminate ambiguity by asking the recommended questions. Senders, choose your words wisely. Otherwise, hope no one who read this entry is in the room when you speak.
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