Sense of Interpretations

“The mind is like palm oil, when it lies still we heat it up.” – Akan proverb

When our conventional explanation for concepts and events are put under scrutiny, there are very few of them that would withstand the test of understanding. More often than not, we assume because we use a word, we really understand what it means. If you sampled peoples’ views and understanding of words and concepts like love, wisdom, smartness, ethics, integrity, among others, you would marvel at how diverse and unrelated the explanations you would receive are. We are so used to hearing them, we assume we really understand them.

This is not the case for only a small group of individuals: this is the reality for all of us. We are quick to offer explanations without really asking ourselves if we even understand the words we are using, much less the issue at stake. Let us use the scenario of an individual who offers a working solution to a problem, even though he/she does not necessarily know what to do about it. Do we label that individual as wise, intelligent, smart or what? What words do we use to describe an individual who goes the extra mile to do what is right? Is he/she ethical, morally upright, law-abiding, honourable or what?

The way we use words in our explanations and justifications of concepts and events make them look elusive. More often than not, we choose words based on how we feel. It is as if we have the liberty to use any word or words to describe whatever we want. The end product of such an attitude is miscommunication. And the fact that there is a lot of miscommunication around us should tell us that we are misinterpreting most of the words we use. Unfortunately, the greater numbers among us do not really care.

For the record, we simply cannot use words as and when we feel like using them. Language is contextual and words are explicit. What we need to understand when choosing words is that our emotions and reality are not mutual exclusive. Our emotions seem to come largely from nurturing our childish aspirations, and reality largely from accepting life as it hands us its ups and downs. At any point in time, we have to choose one, and the one we choose affects the manner of our communication. Most words chosen with emotions go wrong because of the ‘lost in translation’ meanings they carry.

To use words that depict reality means pruning away all the debris attached to one's perception about concepts and events, and leaving only the important stuff. We should remember that much of what is in our emotions is also much of what is in reality. The difference is that what is in our emotions is mixed together with a lot of random aspirational junk.

Communicating can be quite challenging on its own. It becomes even more frustrating when the words of peoples’ explanation of concepts and events are interpreted more or less intuitively than spoken. Most often, we assume that because we know and use the same words we actually know what is being conveyed. Sometimes we even reveal meanings that the speaker had never thought of. We take for granted the semantic space in which we operate when interpreting the words others use.

There is beauty in the words people choose to interpret concepts. What is interesting is the assumptions with which others choose to understand what has been conveyed. More often than not, we scarcely probe beneath the surface to see the underlying emotions and concerns contained in the spoken words. We think we know where they are coming from. What we overlook is that fact that most individuals want their words to pass off like free-thinkers mesmerising crowds. They are so caught up in their world that they are more likely to choose ambiguous words in their presentations. When you fail to seek clarification, you do yourself a great disservice and more harm to our humanity.

Many of us fear probing the surface will drag out the conversations, especially if they are boring. What we do not realise is that a failure to dig deeper actually degenerates into perceptual conflicts. A quick lesson in history will reveal that assumptions create disconnections and distraction. As the cycles get repeated, they increase the potential for conflict, and this affects our relationships and ultimately our well-being. What makes it scarier is the thought that if one can easily be misrepresented in the present, how much more will we be misrepresented in the future.

What we need to understand is that as long as we live, we have been entrusted with a responsibility to protect and manage the meanings of language handed down to us. In a special way, the protection and management of language is intimately linked to the well-being of society. It is not only related to the universality of our humanity, but also to our common good with a view to the holistic development of every individual. Stop making assumptions and seek clarifications -- always.

By:kodwo Brumpon

Comments, suggestions and requests should be sent to the author at [email protected]