On 9 Feb 98 at 16:50, Mnr AM de Lange wrote:
> I want to stress again that "meaning" is not something
> immutable/invariable. If it were the case, then the subject hermeneutics
> would never have existed.
Just an additional thought. First, the SUBJECT could very well exist
without that particular word. It could be called hermanism, or fred, or
anything, or a more descriptive but clumsier phrase.
In my entire life on this planet I recall ONE person who used the term
hermeneutics outside of an academic setting. Sadly, she was shunned from
her work group for a number of reasons, one being that she completely
lacked the ability to communicate with those around her and share her
knowledge (which was substantial) in a way that could be heard. It was
very sad. She was a very unhappy human being as a result of what amounted
to a communication disability coupled with arrogance.
...and it was exceedingly damaging to the organization.
I learned very early on (being a former academic type), that I had to
increase my use of different varieties of expression. I can speak street
talk (not pretty); I can speak in academese, using a wide range of real
words that nobody outside of academe understands, or I can speak
"workplace" in a number of varieties.
I have to. I make my living helping people learn. I can't afford the
luxury of inventing words or using real words that will interfere with
learning, and put food on the table.
Above all, communication is audience specific. I wish executives would
learn that their language, and slogans, etc is NOT the accepted language
of their own workplaces.
Watching staff snicker behind their hands when the CEO addresses them is
not a nice thing to see.
Robert Bacal, Inst.For Cooperative Communication, rbacal@escape.ca
Visit our Resource Centre for articles on mgmt.,training,communication, and defusing hostility
at http://www.escape.ca/~rbacal (204) 888-9290
*Site Last Updated On Jan 24, 1998*
--"Robert Bacal" <rbacal@escape.ca>
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