The Language Perfectionist: A Failure to Communicate?

by Don Hauptman (05/31/2008)

Some people express skepticism about "proper English" and the legitimacy of any language rules. An objection I often hear is: "What does it matter as long as the other person understands what you mean?"

The answer is that bad usage often fails to communicate, resulting in ambiguity, confusion, or lack of clarity. Consider this true story:

One day, while shopping in an art supply store, I overheard a young woman talking to an employee.

"I want to paint on material," she said.

"What kind of material?" asked the salesman.

The woman was flustered and flummoxed. "You know," she sputtered. "Material!"

I decided to come to the rescue and resolve this misunderstanding. "Excuse me," I interjected. "What I believe the young lady wants to do is paint on fabric."

The customer was visibly relieved. Yes, she acknowledged, that’s what she meant. Finally, her message had been communicated. But wouldn’t it have been better if she had used the right word?

Here are some helpful tips to improve your written and oral communication skills:

  • The goal of writing is to communicate effectively and express ideas with clarity, precision, and coherence. In certain kinds of writing, such as advertising copy, power and persuasiveness can hinge on the choice of the right word.
  • Common sense is always helpful. If something is ambiguous or confusing, it should be revised. Skilled editing and multiple rewrites are sometimes required.
  • Keep your reader in mind. In some types of writing, you can be informal, even slangy. Other situations call for more formality. If you encounter a situation where a word or phrase is "wrong" but the "right" way sounds too stodgy, look for a third alternative. You can almost always find a compromise solution.
  • Read widely, especially good writing. In addition, numerous books, courses, and websites can help you build your vocabulary and write with greater clarity, eloquence, and power.
  • Have a good reference at hand. In a previous ETR column, I recommended three excellent usage guides. Be aware of the most common misuses and how to avoid them.

The proper use of language can’t be dismissed as a quirky obsession of pedants or snobs. It has practical consequences. A series of articles in The Wall Street Journal reported that poor language and speech habits can damage an executive’s career prospects. So does it matter? Yes, it does.

[Ed Note: For more than three decades, Don Hauptman was a direct-response copywriter. He is author of the wordplay books Cruel and Unusual Puns and Acronymania, and is now writing a new book that also blends language and humor.

One of the best ways to improve your speaking is by understanding more about the words you choose. The bigger your vocabulary, the easier it is to choose the most appropriate word for any situation. With ETR's Words to the Wise CD Library, you can add 120 new words to your personal lexicon. Learn more here.]

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