Write What You Mean
For good or bad, I’m one of those people who interprets words in their most literal definition. Case in point: A friend tells me about her part in a play about the Old South and says, “Everything will be fine as long as we take care of the black dishwasher in the back.” For the life of me, I could not understand what an appliance could possibly have to do with anything.
To my writing colleagues, I pray you’re not afflicted with TWTOL (Translating Words Too Literally) Syndrome. Although TWTOL can date back to childhood (I remember being strapped in the back of the station wagon on the family vacation, and my parents told me to keep my eyes peeled for a Dairy Queen – I started crying at the thought of peeling eyes), I’ve learned to work with it and around it. I even credit TWTOL with some of my professional writing abilities, especially in regard to projects like speeches and internal communications. For instance, there’s no such thing as a free cholesterol screening if the employee has to pay for the results (seems obvious to me, but some CEOs just don’t get it). Then again, I’m the person who goes into all-out panic mode if the Bible says you must wear a purple robe to get into heaven, as in what shade of purple – light purple or dark purple? Should it be floor length or cocktail length, short sleeves or long sleeves? It never ends.
If you also have TWTOL Syndrome, take advantage of your literal perspective on words and weave that into your writing. And above all, have fun with it! My literal sense has provided me countless moments of both laughter and embarrassment. Like the time I saw the sign that said “Watch Batteries Repaired.” Since I needed a new battery, I went in the store. When the clerk took my watch to the back, I called out with genuine disappointment in my voice, ”But I thought I could watch.”
I don’t see a change any time soon. By “see,” I mean “predict,” not “visualize,”
Susan Hart, APR, is an independent Public Relations consultant with 25+ years of experience. Beginning as a journalist, she represents clients in health care, financial, technology and real estate offering professional writing as a primary service. She is accredited by the PRSA.
That’s a pretty funny way to present a rather real truth. I think it’s especially true in a globalized culture. Our lack of clarity may really present a problem for people in a different culture altogether.
Excellent point about lack of clarity. Sometimes you go with the “when in Rome” strategy, and other times, you should stick with your own culture. A friend recently shared with me that her visit to Mexico included a lot of dining out, and she would say something to the waiter when she was ready to order. She thought she was saying “I’m ready”, but what she was really saying was “I’m smart”. Sometimes gestures can be universally translated.
Of course you should interpret words in their most literal definition. As Ayn Rand wrote in Atlas Shrugged: “You ought to discover that words have an exact meaning”. So it is not the reader’s fault if they misinterpret something, but rather the writer’s fault for not writing clearly.
Speaking of clarity, where does the O come from in TWTOL??
Insightful point. Thanks for commenting!
You just described me perfectly!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Thanks!
Another example of TWTOL today. I was researching recipes for gingerbread men, and saw this statement:
Commercial gingerbread cookies are often hard, dark and have a strong taste for children.
So gingerbread cookies are particularly fond of eating children?? My TWTOL never ends! Happy Holidays to all!
Someone has GOT to explain where that O comes from.
Living with a younger brother and a father who both have Aspergers Syndrome, I am frequently dealing with their TWTOL. My brother often describes himself as a computer—whatever you tell them, they will do. Computers have no sense of sarcasm or metaphor. This isn’t to say that Aspys can’t learn sarcasm and metaphor, but it is very much a learned thing.
So it’s interesting to hear about it from someone else, I suppose. I think some of their literal-mindedness has rubbed off on me, though. I hada very similar experience to you—while walking through the mall in Hobart, I saw a sign saying “Watch batteries while you wait.” I burst out laughing, pointed to it, and said to my mother “Who on earth would want to watch batteries? What kind of weird advertising is that?”
I haven’t heard the end of it yet, and I don’t think I will for a while.
There is definitely something to be said for writing exactly what you mean. As the Elements of Style so wisely says: “Be obscure clearly! Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!” Quite often, when people employ a metaphor or age-old phrase, they are unaware of exactly what the words they use mean. In the case of metaphor, there is a danger of getting so caught up in the surreal symbolicness of it all that they will forget the story.
There is a place for metaphor and simile—the world of books would be far poorer without them—but they are the herbs and spices to the meaty goodness of the story.
Interesting insights, Ellyn. Thanks for commenting, and Happy New Year!