Tone, Intent - Do Not Try To Interpet From Typed Word

[medic417]

I have noticed and I have even been guilty of jumping to conclusion that a person had a certain "tone" or "intent" with what they had typed. When talking in person one can discern "tone" and often "intent" based on facial expression and the sound of the persons voice. In type there is nothing to draw from. For example:

"You are a great emt."

Is that a complement or was I being sarcastic? No way for you to know unless I add a rolleyes or say it's a complement in my statement.

So I guess the point of this discussion I am starting is can we find ways to improve our online communication skills. Perhaps if you think you detect "tone" in someones typing . You could ask them for clarification.

Also do not be quick to take offense to direct blunt statements. Sugar coating just leads to confusion of the point being made.

So what some ideals you have to help the online communications improve?

 

[abckidsmom]

I try not to read or include sarcasm in my online communication. I'm a sarcastic by nature, and it just doesn't translate.

The smilies that indicate sarcasm can come across looking "mean" to me, so I just take that as I sign that I should just skip it.

 

[JJR512]

This concept, the difficulty of reading tone or attitude in text communication, is something I have been talking about online for years. Personally, I find it very hard to to interpret tone or attitude from pure text. Even in face-to-face communication, when someone is trying to imply something, I have a hard time seeing it, or "reading between the lines".

This is why when I think I detect a tone or attitude in text, I think it must be pretty strong, for me to sense it at all.

The tone or intent of something like "you are a great EMT" might be judged based on the context of other things being said. Even then it might be difficult or impossible.

Text communication can be improved by using the smilies. That's what they're there for.

Watch:

You're a great EMT.
You're a great EMT.

The first one is sarcastic; the second one is probably a genuine sincere statement.

The ultimate solution is for server storage and processing capacity, and bandwidth, to improve to the point that instead of typing a message, a member would make a video recording of what they want to say and post that as the message. Imagine every post being a video recording of people saying what they want to say.

 

[JJR512]

The smilies that indicate sarcasm can come across looking "mean" to me, so I just take that as I sign that I should just skip it.

OK, let's look at my example again:

You're a great EMT.

Does that smilie make the text any more mean than sarcastically telling someone they're a great EMT? In my opinion, they're equally mean.

 

[abckidsmom]

OK, let's look at my example again:

Does that smilie make the text any more mean than sarcastically telling someone they're a great EMT? In my opinion, they're equally mean.

I guess I wasn't clear. I don't *do* sarcasm, in any way if I can avoid it, becuase of how mean it looks, right there in print, recorded for all time in the internet. I completely agree with you that with the rolleyes smiley and even the winking one, sarcasm can be read into the text.

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt before I go getting my dander up about something, which is what I meant by not reading sarcasm into things if I can help it.

 

[Veneficus]

But sometimes I use:

for irony.

Just saying.

 

[usalsfyre]

I guess I wasn't clear. I don't *do* sarcasm, in any way if I can avoid it, becuase of how mean it looks, right there in print, recorded for all time in the internet. I completely agree with you that with the rolleyes smiley and even the winking one, sarcasm can be read into the text.

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt before I go getting my dander up about something, which is what I meant by not reading sarcasm into things if I can help it.

The only thing I'll say here is occasionally the truth sounds mean. Sarcasm can be an effective tool for communicating how poor a particular thought process is. It's mean, but it may make someone think things through better next time. Feelings mean less than effective care at the end of the day.

I unfortunately tend to nuclear on the sarcasm a lot of times as it is my nature as well. My point can get lost in it sometimes. I'm actually less sarcastic when percepting or teaching in real life, as I can judge reaction. On here, that's lost, so at times my brain-keyboard filter is too.

 

[JJR512]

The only thing I'll say hear is occasionally the truth sounds mean. Sar

Yes...but people learn more effectively from the truth than from falsehood.

 

[abckidsmom]

The only thing I'll say hear is occasionally the truth sounds mean. Sar

That's because if you speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but have not Love, you are just a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

 

[usalsfyre]

I really hate tappatalk sometimes...

 

[medic417]

I really hate tappatalk sometimes...

Now is that sarcasm or sincere?

 

[firetender]

Perp or misinterpt?

Text communication can be improved by using the smilies. That's what they're there for.

Watch:

You're a great EMT.
You're a great EMT.

The first one is sarcastic; the second one is probably a genuine sincere statement.

Smilies are just as easily misinterpreted. The smilie above could easily be interpreted as "And I look up to you!" (Of course, that's how I'D choose to take it!)

The second smilie can easily be interpreted as "I'm holding this for a second, but any longer and my face will crack!"



Am I proud of myself or are you an idiot for reading?

:wacko:

It really doesn't matter because I've got hemorrhoids.

:beerchug:

STOP! you're giving me a headache! (This one is especially annoying to me -- can't YOU hear the incessant Clinks?!)

It's all about context and to make matters worse, since 80% of communication is non-verbal...



You didn't know that, did you? It's okay, it surprised me at first, unless, of course, YOU ARE CLUELESS, or am I just pulling your leg?

...It includes ALL of your body language and not just a couple squiggly lines in a circle.

So I say share what's true for you, but be willing to see yourselves through others' eyes (LITERALLY!). Do your best to be direct, AND be willing to be challenged or asked for clarification. Be willing to modify a past statement to reflect more respect for the one who questions you. And ask about someone's intent before you jump the gun.

-_-

I'm sorry; am I BORING you?

And have the patience to work through stuff with each other. And remember...

h34r:

...just because she wears a Burka, it doesn't mean she's a terrorist.

Miscommunication happens everywhere. What's important is what comes after.

:deadhorse:

(This site NOT PETA-approved.)