One mark of an inexperienced teacher or communicator is assuming that because something has been clearly said, it has been fully digested or learned. There are a surprising number of reasons that something clearly said might not even have been heard. Suppose someone is doing a crossword puzzle or playing a video game. Suppose the intended recipient can't hear well or doesn't understand the language.
Many statements that are heard distinctly are open to multiple interpretations. Even the basic distinction between "yes" and "no" can get muddled. I often hear people say the words "Yeah, no" or "No, yes". Usually the first word is actually an agreement for something just said, as in "yes, I agree, no weapons allowed" or "no, I agree we must not overdo things, yes, three strikes is enough." But if part of the statement is garbled or oddly timed, the meaning can be reversed so that a listener thinks the opposite of what the speaker meant.
Of course, if something complex or a fundamental change is included in a statement, a speaker could get agreement, even quite complete paraphrasing, only to have the agreed-to change forgotten in the next minute. "Don't forget, guys, as we enter the assembly hall, we all keep our caps on." If there is still anyone who habitually removes his hat upon entering a room with others, that hat might be whisked off by habit before there is any conscious recall of the special circumstances and practice this time.
One of the traditional tools for showing that a listener has heard and understood is repetition of the message by the listener, sometimes accompanied by a good paraphrase. The idea is that if the paraphrase was constructed by the listener and the speaker accepts it, that could only happen if the listener did hear and understand the content and the spirit of the message.
In today's world of critical thinking and innovation, it is very possible that a statement is not acceptable to the listener as stated. It may contain ambiguities or contradictions that the listener wants to discuss before agreeing on what has been said.
This whole business requires a balance, though. If I think you haven't heard or you look to me as though you have forgotten, I may repeat myself. Then, you may be offended that I am saying again what you have already heard. Why am I repeating myself? What, do I think you are stupid or forgetful or absentminded?
I deal with this problem several times a day since I do have a hearing problem. I have concluded that it is indeed parts of my brain other than my actual ears. I can often tell that someone, say a store clerk, has spoken to me, but I can't process what was said. Maybe I couldn't even tell what words were spoken. When I can tell what was said, the meaning might not be clear to me. I spend lots of time each day saying,"I'm sorry but I don't know what you said." If the speaker was busy saying several different things rapidly to several different people, some silly but mutually irritating moments may be spend ferreting out what was said and having it said again. Often the repetition will be spoken louder this time but just as rapidly, again leaving me in the dark.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
