[Oldtimer]

How many people here have taken a class called 'Technical Communication'? I remember when I took the class I was startled when the young pretty lady informed me that I had a "personal" style of writing that could actually be badly misinterpreted.
For instance:
If you write, "What do you know about Chemistry?" you might have meant what level of instruction or experience does somebody have.

But what may be perceived is this type of thought, "You really don't know anything and are ridiculous." - Not your intent. Then add to that many people really will mean such things to your intended reader - confirming their suspicion at this time.
That would be considered "Aggressive Voice". If your reader online were to have been asked this repeatedly, they could become either irritated or emotionally hurt.


It would be much gentler to simply say, " Do you really like Chemistry? Have you studied it and enjoyed it? Because I want to know how much explanation we can share without causing us discomfort" And deliver a much more "Passive Voice". You can probably think of another few ways to say that too.  

The thing is this new online world makes us act like we are speaking to our secretary in written notes constantly. Who would want to hurt their secretaries' feeling {or our online friends'}?

Here's a link to a description of one book and an online class.
http://www.io.com/~hcexres/tcm1603/acchtml/intro.html#about

 Your English instructor/Professor will probably be able to help you learn more about it also. But if not, an online course could help you save face and even your job sometime.

If you suspect you may have been guilty of this, cheer up. Everyone has made those mistakes at some time too.

We are but people.
Andy

[Mitch]

I agree. I often find myself trying to figure out the intent of others from their word choice. I've been on the net talking to newbs for so long, its almost second nature now.

[Borek]

Add to that that for many of us English is a second language, so most of the subtleties are lost.

Smileys are a very important part of the communication process, as they replace body language. Original question  "What do you know about Chemistry?" asked in personal communication will be rarely misinterpreted, as body language will make the message clear. Thus using smileys you reduce chances you will be misunderstood.

[Oldtimer]

I'v read posts from european people online at other forums though, and when they hassle each other the power of their words is diminished by humour. The flavor of the dialogue is more lite than a direct challenge. You can't help but laugh a little at their almost Parental manner. Occasionally a Swede will be really angry though and they just can boil you in their short and concise insultive style. If a reply is given, they'll likely laugh it off and move on - prefering to "test the waters" boldly instead of muckaround.

When we first surfed around the use of emoticons was really overdone. I know I don't have alot of faith in their qualities because their application still requires some supporting dialogue. We older people aren't as descriptive in generallities as the youth still in HS. We have been hurried in our daily activities and are sometimes exhausted. A whole row of laughing heads can add nothing informative at times.

I've had great conversations with people that I thought were much older than their true age. I think it's because they are used to having more time to finish their statements. Also, women are traditionally more social and add plenty of flavor and substance in humous/noncombative overtones.

Overall online communication is fine, but International citizens probably notice an occassional "cultural" impropiety{?} that we aren't aware of. Our very words are sometimes an incomplete decription to them, but totally sufficent to us.

I still think that in my everyday life in direct relations with people, that my communication is probably less than perfect. And the level of heated argument in the Medical World on health topics of effects can be indicative of confusion in the terminolgy. I have always been curious why we share so many words with totally different meanings. Plasma for instance. It doesn't end there either by any means, we know that. So much so that they insist on naming their own drugs with techniques unrelated to UIPAC convention.

Have a good Sunday.

[Mitch]

So much so that they insist on naming their own drugs with techniques unrelated to {IUPAC} convention.

Good, it makes our Chemical Structures page (link to your left) a lot more interesting.

[Oldtimer]

That looks like a lot of typing{the Chemical Structures page}, did your hands cramp up?

I was looking for a good list of Greek direvatives, found one for Latin. http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romevd/html/derivt.html

 There's also Germane and maybe Hebrew to consider.

I don't know that IUPAC has any problems with it, but I'm only fluent in English. I was told I would have to take three years of German to major in Chemistry at one point in time.

I'd bet that mixing it up that way could illuminate a few flaws in our prefered methodologies in many areas of nomenclature. Communications is another Major after all. :laughing1:

Good little article of the problems in todays educational system involving our perceived critical thinking.
http://www.totse.com/en/ego/self_improvement/afieldguidetoc174154.html