Careless Language

Careless language creates hassles

How easy it is to misuse words and get into trouble. The editor of the Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization is in the midst of such trouble right now. George Kurian has spent the better part of three years labouring at a four-volume work that may very well never see the light of day because some of the words he's chosen to include have raised the hackles of others involved in the project. Never mind that nearly 400 contributors have written some 1,300 articles that suit all the requirements. "Triumphalist" language, particularly in the introduction, has raised suspicions, and now the integrity of the entire undertaking is under review.

The particulars of Kurian's case have in many respects ceased to be the issue. Reputations are on the line. The vaunted reliability of a publishing house is being called into question and members of an editorial board are suddenly keen to justify the inclusion of their names on the committee. Kurian gives no credence to the complaint and has many arguments to make about rights and process. If anything, he's ratcheting up the rhetoric. A solution seems distant. Words fly, but understanding fades.

This situation illustrates a common problem. True dialogue, what Regent College professor Craig M. Gay calls "a posture of genuine conversation," is hard to come by. Consider, for example, the words used in the public exchange about abortion. Pro-life or pro-choice? Anti-choice or pro-abortion? Too often people stake a stand on a bumper-sticker description of themselves and a cavalier dismissal of their opponent's point of view. Dueling monologues stifle careful debate. Rarely do they pause to consider the common ground, the concern all share for the wellbeing of women and children. A dialogue of the deaf ensues and zeal--not commonweal--carries the day.

Gay understands something of both the value and danger of words. He knows we cannot live without them, yet he's mightily disturbed by the way we often use them. His new book--Dialogue, Catalogue and Monologue--begins with a description of some aspects of the problem. "We've become used to the fact that many of the words that reach our eyes and ears are full of deceptive subtleties and half-truths," the "spin" employed by politicians, preachers, advertisers, media producers, lawyers, university professors and others who end up using words "mendaciously and manipulatively."

He also deplores the plethora of "foolish words that fail to shed light on our circumstances," the background "chatter" of "empty words not really intended to communicate anything at all but spoken either to titillate and entertain or simply to fill what vacant time and space there may happen to be." According to Gay, "such chatter is not always deceitful. It is often well intended and sincere, but it fails to disclose the truth of things. These foolish words are, like the advice of Job's friends, 'without knowledge'--obscuring and not illuminating our situations."

Words can be hurtful as well. "Words can obscure the truth of things. They can drive us away from each other, and they can prevent us from knowing and becoming ourselves. Indeed, words can crush our spirits more efficiently and effectively than perhaps any other single agency."

But despite the dangers, words are necessary. "Words are at the essence of our existence; the quality of the words we hear and speak all but determines the quality of our lives. Indeed, the One who said that heaven and earth would pass away but that His words would not also said: 'I tell you that [you] will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned' (Mt 12:36–37).

"If we are to be acquitted or condemned on the basis of our words, this is only because we are to be judged as responsible human persons, and responsible human existence hinges to a very large degree on the words that we speak," writes Gay.

Genuine dialogue means being careful with our words. It means working with our listeners long enough to ensure that what we are saying is what they are hearing. And vice versa. Truly effective communicators must first be careful listeners.

Personal Opinion:

The above article describes how careless language can create problems. Your careless words can anytime put you in trouble. One should be capable of communicating his message in the way he intended to in order to avoid misinterpretations. Person should always be very specific in communicating his message, he should not use such word which could be misunderstood by the receiver and the receiver in turn take any legal action against you for the same.

Question:

What can be the consequences of careless language? What steps can be taken to avoid careless language? 

Reference:

ChristianWeek | Careless language creates hassles. (n.d.). ChristianWeek. Retrieved from http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=396&cat=record

Verbal Abuse in the Workplace. (n.d.). Buzzle. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/verbal-abuse-in-the-workplace.html