I know that “Speaking between the lines” is not how that phrase goes. It’s actually “Reading between the lines.” But in order to find hidden meaning, someone has to “put” it there in the first place. And one of those someones is me …
Yup, sometimes I communicate so much more than the vocabulary conveys. It’s contained in the many nuances I use when I’m speaking. To illustrate what I mean I’ve collected a few examples:
Instead of saying …
The weight of the cushions stacked on top of the baskets caused some of them to break.
I said …
Someone threw cushions on top of the baskets and ruined them.
Because I thought …
… whoever did this had been inexcusably careless and I wanted to throw something in return – even if it’s just shade.
Instead of saying …
When I first learned Spanish, I made the funniest mistakes.
I said …
When I began my studies at the University in Madrid my Spanish wasn’t that good and I made the funniest mistakes.
Because I thought …
… people would think more highly of me if they knew I attended university and lived in a foreign country.
Instead of saying …
We need two more pencils for the meeting.
I said …
The purchasing department forgot to order pencils, so we don’t have enough.
Because I thought …
… a mistake was made, and I wanted to make sure everybody knew it wasn’t me.
Instead of saying …
When you get a chance, could you send me the usernames associated with these passwords?
I said …
It’s wonderful that you gave me all these passwords, but without the corresponding usernames they’re pretty much useless, ha-ha.
Because I thought …
… making fun of someone was called for since I wasn’t given all the information I needed.
Instead of saying …
Be careful. The dishes are still dirty. The dishwasher did not run last night.
I said …
Don’t use those dishes. You didn’t turn on the dishwasher last night, so everything is still dirty.
Because I thought …
… it is important for the other person to know they forgot to do something so they can do better next time.
Fascinating, isn’t it?
Brigitte K. Schneider
aka Ms. Explicitly Inexplicit
Copyright © 2023, Brigitte K. Schneider. If you wish to quote text from this article contact the author by leaving a comment.
