An M.I.T. linguistic professor was lecturing his class.
“In English,” he said, “a double negative forms a positive. However, in some languages, such as Russian, a double negative remains a negative. But there isn’t a single language, not one, in which a double positive can express a negative.”
A voice from the back of the room piped up, “Yeah, right.”
How about that “tone”?
If you read the little joke above, the text alone can’t inscribe a specific vocal tone… but I imagine native-speaking English readers (specifically from North America), will be able to put the “tone” into the last two words.
It’s not just what you say that matters…
It matters how you speak. Your tone-of-voice matters when communicating. You may be communicating with complete correctness and truth, but your tone might not convey respect.
To encourage, respect must come first.
Just a thought…
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Hey Lori, I’ve been very encouraged by your posts on communication, thank you!
You’ve hit it ‘dead on’ with the respect thing. I KNOW when respect is not in the cards of the conversation … I think we all do. It’s not something you can fake.
You’re right, Robyn – can’t fake respect. I think we all (spouses included) have a radar, a niggling tingle, that indicates a lack of respect. Thanks for your insight and kind words!
Great point about the use of tone Lori! I appreciate this reminder that it’s not just what we say, but it’s how we say it.
Thanks Ann!
Ah, now if only we can get our teenagers to understand that! Just kidding, actually, my teen is pretty amazing and rarely has these kinds of outbursts. My husband, well, sometimes his best intentions don’t come across as well as he’d like and we have to stop to talk about that. Luckily, he’s willing to learn.
Well, you caught me, Nicole!
Sometimes I write these posts because they come awfully close to home. Unfortunately, *I’m* the one with the “tone” problem in our house…
Oh, and the rolling-of-the-eye issue too!
(cough-cough-clearing-of-the-throat and sheepish look)
I think that’s why most of us do what we do. Because we have something to learn. And we share what we most need to learn because it’s the best way we learn!
You are excused!