The author learns that some words she uses may be taken in a completely different light by other readers and how this applies to spoken language as well. She waxes on philosophical about thoughtful posting, and its connection to perception and professional practice.
NursesAnnouncementsArchiveArticle
We all grow up learning colloquial phrases. Most of us carry them as moments in our hearts of those we love, while other words move along with us, creating subtle verbal idiosyncrasies in our lives. The words I grew up with were odd grammatical positioning of "yet", such as "Are they closed, yet?" or discussing a "schnutterhoontz" which I still believe is some bastardized German word that I can't find on Google for "someone who chatters on about nothing in particular". While both of these are more entertaining than not, one word I realized I use in abundance is "little".
Now, one might think this is a pretty harmless word. I thought so too until I came home from my honeymoon to work several years ago. Prior to my wedding my floor crew had thrown me a break room wedding shower. There was food, cake, and all of my glassware for my set. It was awesome, and I loved it. While I was away I sent my floor a thank you card, and went about my business. When I got back I noticed the card was hanging on the pegboard and, to my surprise, the word "little" had been highlighted and underlined. Now the sentence read as follows "Thank you so much for the little shower!" and then I went on about the staff and such. For a long time I was puzzled by why the word little had been picked out, and then it hit me, they were offended.
For me the word little is endearing. It means intimate, secluded, sometimes cute, or comforting. What I realized is for others this word was more dismissive, lackluster, and involved a sense of less importance. One could say I read way too much into this situation, but it lends itself to a greater and larger topic: language is a vital portion of how you portray yourself.
Language and Nursing
I have been an AN member for several years, and I have read, and posted, many a topic. I have seen English as a second language posters get belittled for their lack of structure while ignoring the meaning or request of their post. On the other hand I have seen carefully worded topics about ridiculous expectations applauded. I have seen multi-degree, intelligent posters, degraded for use of a text speak or abbreviation. I have seen people go into tantrums over overly-direct posts, while completely missing the point of those too inundated with fluff words.
All of these examples continue to prove to me that you are perceived on how you write. Like it or not.
In nursing, we often think of our writing as merely "A&OX2, combative, in restraints. HR tachycardic in the 140's at times, currently on amio drip." However our writing is also our verbal language. Words we use in writing are also the words we use when we talk to our patients. While not necessarily our text speak, we use colloquial sayings, we tease patients about being a "schnutterhoontz" or we discuss that "little" party someone threw for us.
I believe posting on forums, in particular AN because of its professional slant, gives us an opportunity to hone our writing, and in turn, our language ability. We have a chance to look at how we are perceived through writing, such as how often we are dismissed by other posters or how often they agree with us? How often do original posters come back with venom over something you posted? Now I am not saying you can't say how you feel, but are there ways to create a more professional and compassionate tone. Would you stand in front of your co-workers or patients and say the same sentence to them if they brought up the same topic? How would they react to this presentation?
Through this article I have had to stop myself three times from using the word "little" out of context, well at least general context.
