Did they mean what you thought you heard?

Nick,

I have often said that someone who learned English, can write and speak it well, will not necessarily understand someone else.  For instance we have many idiomatic expressions that when translated make no sense whatsoever.  The same goes for all languages.  Idioms and colloquialism emerge from lifestyle and perspectives.  For instance in Russian when you talk about a tiny amount usually of a greed person, the expression the amount is equal to the tears the cat shed...My father-in-law used to say of something useless as socks on a rooster!  He learned that during his childhood in Cleveland...

Before, we go to France, I arm myself with a few Paris-Match and read to understand what idioms I need to learn...LOL A

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 - What a great and interesting post! Also, you're a lucky man to have the best of many worlds and Trudy is a wonderful better half. I bet you compliment each other in many great and positive ways. 

Something that always intrigued me is body language. It speaks VOLUMES that often the communicator doesn't even seem to know. Yet others see it and feel it too!

I sometimes stumble with our language and the with it.

Just do not follow it well

Nick,having been born in Hungary, lived in Austria, then Connecticut, from there to New York, then to Georgia.... anyway the list goes on and on I have learned that English is not one language just as German is not one language.... they consist of Regional differences and add to that country differences.... as far as I am concerned not only do  I speak  three languages but  but out of the three two of them I understand at least 20 different variations of it:))Endre

p.s.: can't speak it but understand most of it:))

We deal with lots of people from varying cultures which makes communication a bit more challenging.

That video certainly demonstrates how two people can totally interpret something differently! We do have to remember that other people might know different languages, or have different experiences, that could lead to misunderstandings. We need to remember that our understanding might not be the only one.

I can totally relate, Nick, on a personal level. My husband, also is Dutch and he perfected his English in British colonies in Africa back in the 1950's. He uses expressions that leave me gob-smacked (as the Brits would say). Sometimes I ask him if we are speaking the same language!

Nick, communication is so important in all facets of life and you're right. Just because we're speaking the same language doesn't mean we understand each other. It can be even harder on email and often times I'll pick up the phone to talk to a client because I want to make sure I understand what they're asking or expressing. 

Good morning Nick. This is so true and so insightful. We don't all listen and even when we really do we bring our experiences with us.

Nick, this should have been *featured*. So many great points that it would bring up lots of conversations with each one made! It would make for a good seminar. Or group talk, or therapy!

I've seen conversations misconstrued so often. It can be related to any number of things. I learned in my continuing study of human behavior that along with all of the other signals of how people perceive, we can add those who are more audial in their way of listening, and then there are those who are more visual. You can tell sometimes by the words they use. "I hear what you're saying". (An audial learner). "I see your point". (A visual learner). My husband can remember whole lines from watching movies. I am a visual. If I see someone's name, say on a name tag or I write it down, it's committed to memory much more easily.

Hello Nick - a very interesting post.  The differences in communication/ understanding goes beyond language as you note. Now off to see the video.

Expect this post will sport a star soon, Nick. What we have here is a failure to communicate is more than a recognizable line from a move, it's a problem. It happens for many reasons, a failure to listen well, cultural and geographic differences, and just different styles of communication. Careful listening and observing reactions can sure help avoid misunderstandings - hence to the need to see one another in person, and not via a device. :) 

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543  We need to be sure people understand us. I deal with people all the time and try to talk slow and watch their hand gestures. The most important thing is to listen to them. Very interesting post 

Hello Nick,  Learn more about you and Trudy from you blog.  With me being Pennsylvania Dutch and my wife being from Denver, she fines some of my saying funny.

Good morning Nick - this is such a great post and should be featured.  Mis communication is the number one problem in all business situations.  We need to check for feedback on what we say and verify that we that we have the same understanding about what the other person meant.

I always like to take a sec to process what I hear with all my interactions. A great post!