I was thinking this morning about how I use different
versions of English depending on who I’m talking to (or even ‘to whom I’m
speaking,’ if you prefer.) I often adjust the words and phrases I use in order
to accord with what I perceive to be their normal linguistic idioms. Is this
because I want to belong, or because I want to be more readily understood? I
don’t know. (It does occur to me, though, that if I’d put this much effort into
learning foreign languages, I’d be a clever bloke by now.) I even do it on this
blog, but that has more to do with what time of day it is and what mood I’m in.
And talking of this blog, Google stats tells me I’ve had a
record number of page views this month. I find it hard to understand why people
read this blog at all, and the fact that they’re doing so in increasing numbers
is a complete mystery. Maybe it’s the same as the reason why people used to be
fascinated by freak shows in circuses. No comments, please.
I broke the back and side off another tooth last night, and
now it’s scratching my tongue. I do wish something uplifting would happen for a
change.
2 comments:
Very interesting. I was just considering the same behavior in myself the other day. We wear masks/filters/facades, I think, and they're designed to meet harmoniously with those people we're interacting with.
Many of mine are just versions of myself, often because I don't feel totally at ease with whomever I'm interacting.
I think... it's just a thing we do. It's tough being a living creature -- too complex sometimes.
I think it's fairly rare for any of us to be totally at ease with anybody. We usually keep some bits of ourselves veiled, even with those we're close to.
I had a manager once who was just the same with everybody, and she always seemed at ease with everybody. I think that was mainly what made her a living legend with those who knew her.
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