Frailties of the written word

     Written text can be an amazing thing. When crafted well it can take us to places we've never been... evoke great emotion...completely captivate us.  However, even the most gifted wordsmith  cannot completely control the interpretation of his words. Each reader takes from text differently, based on what experience, belief or predjudice they bring to the table.  Which is why two readers can have very different experiences with the same piece of text.  No matter how talented the writer, there is always room for interpretation.

     Unfortunately this can make the written word a very flawed method of communication. Especially for those of us who are not especially gifted with the medium.  Readers cannot hear the inflection or tone of voice of the writer. Cannot see their facial expressions. As a result things may be read into a text that never existed in the mind or heart of the writer. Inaccurate assumptions can be made and offences taken that were never intended.  What seems obvious to one reader...completely unseen by another. 

     So we must be cautious when using text to communicate. Cautious that the text we use is not overly sarcastic, or vague...unless we are certain that the reader knows us well enough to understand our intent, or give us the benefit of the doubt and ask for clarification if they are uncertain. As readers we need to remember that we cannot make hasty assumptions about what we read. We need to be slow to take offence, and willing to extend the benefit of the doubt until we can ask and learn whether our assumptions are accurate. If we don't we run the risk of damaging, or even ending, relationships for reasons that exist only in our own hearts and minds and not those of the writer.