It's English... But I don't "Get It."

I think I am more a giver than receiver in this regard.



Especially when with people who don't "get" my humour.

I do get your humor, Deb, it's your English I sometimes don't get...

Huh? Eh?

You mean like when I duct tape women's mouths shut who are in my trunk? I know they're screaming in English, but I don't get it.

Yes, Slappy, a little more effort and you'll get it...

Re: It's English... But I don't "Get It."

Your problem is the Gibberish closely resembles English.

Yeah, this goes both ways for me. Sometimes I struggle to get my point across and I know it sounds like gibberish. And sometimes someone tries to explain something and I just can't follow -- as if each word they speak stands alone without context or meaning. They might as well be reading the dictionary.

However, this Gibberish is plainly understandable..

Uh, NO, that is NOT what I mean Slappy. Let her go NOW! (Wait, how did you get a woman in your trunk?)

Of course I expect Francis to get everything. He's all ear.

I get your humour, Bunny. I don't know if that is any relief to you, but I'm hoping it will help stave off any future provocations.

Sometimes I think the posts are supposed to be complete thoughts, but somewhere in the translation from brain to fingertips a few words were deleted. Or, a thought occurs and the poster responds as if we are suppose to know what that thought was even though they never told us.

I must admit that sometimes I don't understand what I just said.
And I'm really glad if I get that explained by someone else.

I am much quicker, sharper and blacker in real life.



But...I had one of those experiences yesterday, when I was asking a question in regard to "our" protocol in a particular situation.


As far as I could tell the person was telling me do x in case of y except she was also telling me to do z in case of y. The two were mutually contradictory.



I could hear the words all right, they just made no sense.

I can think of some cases involving protocol where that could be quite disasterous.

I love when the person is saying stuff with such confidence. In person, their face and body indicate they know exactly what they are talking about. Sometimes that comes through online, as well.

Meanwhile, my face is saying "What the ...?"

I've been noticing this (as a third party) a lot lately in one of my classes. It's a Gender and Communication class-- all about feminist ideas, sociology, philosophical theories, etc...so some of the concepts are kind of nebulous, and it seems like at least one time per class a student brings up a point, goes on about it at length, and the words just don't seem to make any sense. (not just to me, I mean the professor isn't getting them either.)

I understand how that happens-- if I try to express an idea that's at all complicated in a classroom setting, it always seems to come out a lot more muddled than it sounded in my head-- but I've been thinking about it lately from the professor's point of view... Imagine trying to figure out how to let someone know that they just flat aren't making sense to you, in front of a room full of spectators, without making them feel like complete idiots, and without letting the class get off topic! This teacher seems to have a whole set of responses to it, all carefully crafted to blame the misunderstanding on himself, get them to stop trying to explain it, and get the discussion back on track ...It's an art form!

When I'm editing, I often encounter sentences, paragraphs, and more that are in English but are not comprehensible. Based on context, I try to figure out the intended meaning and rewrite. Then I ask the author if the rewrite is right.

After years of dealing with this problem, I've come to the conclusion that this vagueness is a result of fuzzy thinking or discomfort with the subject matter. First-time authors are notorious for vagueness. Gag. What the hell is this person talking about.

In conversation, I think this problem is also a result of fuzzy thinking. It also happens when the person speaking does not have strong language skills.

Sometimes it's just a matter of vernacular, regional differences in wording and nuance, or age differences in the use of language.

For the most part, I think that people who speak and are not readily understood have a problem with thinking, not speaking. People who understand what these people are talking about make inferences based on context or familiarity with the speaker.

Just my opinion.

Does that mean I'm not the only one who speaks gibberish?

the crux of this matter involves inducing and reducing the agreed-upon irregularities in such a way as to abolish (or at least communicate as such) the theories put forth.

to do this would be a common mistake.

for all things -- meaningless or otherwise -- taken into account as gospel, unless of course one factors in the political and socio-economic implications.

everyone knows this to be undeniable...

Huh?

Yes, as RP clearly demonstrates above..

Do you think we should start a support group?

No, as we are the stronger and most influential group...