This post is my attempt to write out my pronunciation of a few Thai words in English.
I begin with my present understanding of the meaning of each. Each meaning is followed by my idea of its (phonetic) pronunciation.
a medium(like the one who helps you to communicate with your dead uncle Slim)
* khon song
house, home
* ban (a bit like a New England barn)
elephant
* Cha-ang
water
* nam (as in Viet nam)
Showing posts with label meaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meaning. Show all posts
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Friday, January 27, 2012
Notes Related to Practicing Dialogue in a Group
We can understand another's opinion. We can understand each other's opinions.
The question I ask may be latent in our group as a whole. The question another asks may be implicit to the group. Other persons may pick it up and carry it along. This question sharing may lead the group to productive thinking together. All may more nearly participate in one thought. No one need agree.
As we practice dialogue in our group, certain sensitivities are developed. We begin to sense the ways we tend to respond. We begin to attend more to whole persons, and less through the unconscious scree of our own memories. That does not mean that we think less, but rather that we attend more.
As we practice, we begin to create a truer sense of the meaning of our communication. We learn to better know what a particular opinion means to another. We are interested in meaning. We better see the meaning flowing in and through our dialogue.
We learn to be more sensitive to the fact that we tend to defend our own opinions automatically. We become more realistically sensitive to the movement and nuances of our talk.
When our group is large enough we begin to touch more large cultural assumptions. A larger group usually offers more opportunity for a kind of relationship which involves whole cultures.
We must be part of our group long enough to get to know one another well enough to to trust each other appropriately. We need to know each other well enough to establish a relationship of sharing.
For us, Our practice is mainly a question of culture. Our group forms a microcosm of society. We are uncovering cultural assumptions to look at and to understand.
An essential feature of our dialogue is that it is able to reveal assumptions. We may form a good group, but we know that it is the process which counts and we attend to it. We don't form a group which lasts forever, but rather one that lasts long enough to make a difference.
It may be valuable to keep the dialogue going for as long as a year or two. It is very important to sustain its regularity. It must be sustained to bring out the problems that lead to the bringing out deep assumptions of the persons participating.
In sustaining the group, it is well to keep in mind that it is not always going to be entertaining nor is it always going to be seen as doing something useful. We dialogue because we feel it is necessary to do so.
It is necessary to share meaning. To sustain a way of life, a government, a society, a culture we must share meaning. To be a 'we' to be an 'us' we must share meaning.
Our society works when we have a common culture. A culture entails shared meanings. We share meaning, significance, purpose, values because we believe that it is necessary to do so in order to be.
The question I ask may be latent in our group as a whole. The question another asks may be implicit to the group. Other persons may pick it up and carry it along. This question sharing may lead the group to productive thinking together. All may more nearly participate in one thought. No one need agree.
As we practice dialogue in our group, certain sensitivities are developed. We begin to sense the ways we tend to respond. We begin to attend more to whole persons, and less through the unconscious scree of our own memories. That does not mean that we think less, but rather that we attend more.
As we practice, we begin to create a truer sense of the meaning of our communication. We learn to better know what a particular opinion means to another. We are interested in meaning. We better see the meaning flowing in and through our dialogue.
We learn to be more sensitive to the fact that we tend to defend our own opinions automatically. We become more realistically sensitive to the movement and nuances of our talk.
When our group is large enough we begin to touch more large cultural assumptions. A larger group usually offers more opportunity for a kind of relationship which involves whole cultures.
We must be part of our group long enough to get to know one another well enough to to trust each other appropriately. We need to know each other well enough to establish a relationship of sharing.
For us, Our practice is mainly a question of culture. Our group forms a microcosm of society. We are uncovering cultural assumptions to look at and to understand.
An essential feature of our dialogue is that it is able to reveal assumptions. We may form a good group, but we know that it is the process which counts and we attend to it. We don't form a group which lasts forever, but rather one that lasts long enough to make a difference.
It may be valuable to keep the dialogue going for as long as a year or two. It is very important to sustain its regularity. It must be sustained to bring out the problems that lead to the bringing out deep assumptions of the persons participating.
In sustaining the group, it is well to keep in mind that it is not always going to be entertaining nor is it always going to be seen as doing something useful. We dialogue because we feel it is necessary to do so.
It is necessary to share meaning. To sustain a way of life, a government, a society, a culture we must share meaning. To be a 'we' to be an 'us' we must share meaning.
Our society works when we have a common culture. A culture entails shared meanings. We share meaning, significance, purpose, values because we believe that it is necessary to do so in order to be.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dialogue is Important
What are you willing to say about dialogue or about communication in general? Are you willing to suggest definitions for either? Below are thoughts which come to my mind as I consider dialogue today. Questions are thoughts too aren't they?
Shared meaning is the cement that holds society together. Consider meanings. What is the meaning of meaning? What is the meaning of society? What is the state of our mutual understanding of meaning?
Do we agree on what holds meaning for us? How do we share meaning? What are the better ways of sharing meaning? What is the nature of our society?
Have you ever seen members of a group become frustrated as they try to share meaning? Does sharing meaning frighten you? Are you afraid that your assumptions may be revealed and challenged? Others are. They seek a leader or a protector. They may just walk away.
What if a group is so democratic that it has no leader? If the group is very democratic there may be a great deal of equality felt among its members. I seem to be less fearful among those who respect me as an equal. What is the source of equality?
Talk, communication, dialogue seems a principle way of sharing meaning. Democracy seems to be a step toward open speech.
I think that the practice of dialogue skills can support democracy and the sharing of meaning. I believe that I am still willing to accept some frustration in my life in order to support the sharing of meaning through dialogue. There is a reason for dialogue. It is what helps us to to be an us. It is important.
We benefit by keeping in mind how important dialogue is. If we don't, we begin to think and say: What's the point? This is too much trouble, Let's give it up. It's not getting us anywhere.
Dialogue is as important as important as earning money. Without a healthy society money loses its value. Shared meaning holds society together. Dialogue is an effective way to share meaning.
Dialogue is important.
Shared meaning is the cement that holds society together. Consider meanings. What is the meaning of meaning? What is the meaning of society? What is the state of our mutual understanding of meaning?
Do we agree on what holds meaning for us? How do we share meaning? What are the better ways of sharing meaning? What is the nature of our society?
Have you ever seen members of a group become frustrated as they try to share meaning? Does sharing meaning frighten you? Are you afraid that your assumptions may be revealed and challenged? Others are. They seek a leader or a protector. They may just walk away.
What if a group is so democratic that it has no leader? If the group is very democratic there may be a great deal of equality felt among its members. I seem to be less fearful among those who respect me as an equal. What is the source of equality?
Talk, communication, dialogue seems a principle way of sharing meaning. Democracy seems to be a step toward open speech.
I think that the practice of dialogue skills can support democracy and the sharing of meaning. I believe that I am still willing to accept some frustration in my life in order to support the sharing of meaning through dialogue. There is a reason for dialogue. It is what helps us to to be an us. It is important.
We benefit by keeping in mind how important dialogue is. If we don't, we begin to think and say: What's the point? This is too much trouble, Let's give it up. It's not getting us anywhere.
Dialogue is as important as important as earning money. Without a healthy society money loses its value. Shared meaning holds society together. Dialogue is an effective way to share meaning.
Dialogue is important.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Limitations of Language
Can I misunderstand a word? Misuse it? What is the result of that misunderstanding? What is the result of that misuse.
Is it possible for a man to figure out a reality using a word which refers to that which isn't?
Can words get a woman into a great deal of trouble in the privacy of her own mind?
Calling a given word a symbol for a particular definition helps me to be aware of the limitations of language.
Being aware of the limitations of language helps protect me from building parts of my life around the meaning of a word or sentence which masks or veils my best interpretation of my real life experience,
Is it possible for a man to figure out a reality using a word which refers to that which isn't?
Can words get a woman into a great deal of trouble in the privacy of her own mind?
Calling a given word a symbol for a particular definition helps me to be aware of the limitations of language.
Being aware of the limitations of language helps protect me from building parts of my life around the meaning of a word or sentence which masks or veils my best interpretation of my real life experience,
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Science Fundamentals
You are beginning to get the fundamentals when you:
~ consider how science is done;
~ grasp a distinction between scientific fact and theory;
~ appreciate the workings of scientific methods;
~ have checked out examples of scientific method at work;
~ define even the common words involved;
~ make sure that you know what words like 'evidence' and 'observation' mean in this case;
~ take time to trace the path from discovery to hypothesis to further research and revision;
~ get a feel for the process.
Then begin to ask questions about the evidence and move on to greater adventure.
~ consider how science is done;
~ grasp a distinction between scientific fact and theory;
~ appreciate the workings of scientific methods;
~ have checked out examples of scientific method at work;
~ define even the common words involved;
~ make sure that you know what words like 'evidence' and 'observation' mean in this case;
~ take time to trace the path from discovery to hypothesis to further research and revision;
~ get a feel for the process.
Then begin to ask questions about the evidence and move on to greater adventure.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Survival Talk
The following is part of my ongoing effort to encourage more satisfying and productive talk.
For me, much of the best talk is about meaning. When I here certain others speak of meaningful talk they often use the word 'coherence.' I'm not always sure what they mean by 'coherence.' To cohere seems to stick together. Stickiness doesn't necessarily lead to satisfaction and productivity, does it? Well, I do often find that meaning that holds together more satisfying than meaning that falls apart. Can it be that is all they mean? I wonder what Merriam and other dictionary people have to say.
Well, stick together seems to be the main deal. My old blue dictionary also adds that cohere means to to become united in principles, relationships, or interests. Unity has frequently turned out to be productive. Talk that led to unity and relationships based on principles and common interests would be okay with me. The same dictionary adds that to be coherent is to be logically or aesthetically consistent. So, they may think that talk that is reasonable, is not ugly, and and is not contradictory is likely to be more productive and satisfying. Seems good, but how likely is it? You probably have some skills that make good talk more likely.
I does seem to me that meaningful and coherent' go together. In satisfying and productive talk we need not begin by accepting or rejecting that 'meaning' and 'coherence' go together. We do't ave to end with that acceptance either. However it may be interesting to discover what te guy who says that is talking about.
For me, much of the best talk is about meaning. When I here certain others speak of meaningful talk they often use the word 'coherence.' I'm not always sure what they mean by 'coherence.' To cohere seems to stick together. Stickiness doesn't necessarily lead to satisfaction and productivity, does it? Well, I do often find that meaning that holds together more satisfying than meaning that falls apart. Can it be that is all they mean? I wonder what Merriam and other dictionary people have to say.
Well, stick together seems to be the main deal. My old blue dictionary also adds that cohere means to to become united in principles, relationships, or interests. Unity has frequently turned out to be productive. Talk that led to unity and relationships based on principles and common interests would be okay with me. The same dictionary adds that to be coherent is to be logically or aesthetically consistent. So, they may think that talk that is reasonable, is not ugly, and and is not contradictory is likely to be more productive and satisfying. Seems good, but how likely is it? You probably have some skills that make good talk more likely.
I does seem to me that meaningful and coherent' go together. In satisfying and productive talk we need not begin by accepting or rejecting that 'meaning' and 'coherence' go together. We do't ave to end with that acceptance either. However it may be interesting to discover what te guy who says that is talking about.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
An Approach to Assumptions Related to Society
Consider assumptions.
In trying to understand the other man's point of view I have found it useful to take into account my own assumptions as well as his. Often a pertinent assumption is unknown to me. Yes, it happens. The unknown assumption may be mine or his. An assumption may be locked in a part of the mind not easily accessed.
There are probably assumptions in his mind that have never entered mine.
We humans form societies. Often we do so unconsciously. However, there may come a time we will want to form a society consciously. A society is our way of working and living together. A society uses rules, laws, institutions, etc. Rules, laws, institutions are based on assumptions we hold. We may get or assume the rules etc. by thinking and agreeing that we are going to have them, and then we do it. Backing up our thinking, agreeing and doing is culture. Culture is shared meaning, shared assumptions. Much of that sharing is done through communication. Talk is an important form of communication. You have noticed that some persons seem better at talk than others. There are levels of communication skill. There is a set of communications skills that some have called dialogue. It turns out that these dialogue skills are particularly useful for bringing assumptions to light.
As a dramatic example, let's say that a diverse set of people desire to set up a government. I order to do so they will find it useful to agree to a common meaning for the kind of government they want. They are likel to need to agree on what a good government is or on what is the right sort of government for them. Different cultures will produce different governments. If they don't agree they will have a political struggle. If their politics don't work, they may have a civil war.
Disagreeable may arise do to their ignorance of each others assumptions. Dialogue that brings assumptions to light could prevent bloodshed.
Society is based on shared meanings. Shared meanings constitute the culture. Culture may be built or strengthen with education and communication. There is a wide choice of education and communication methods and styles. Not all of the are of equal effectiveness. To make a good and effective society we must learn to share coherent meaning well enough.
Today our larger society seems to have an incoherent meanings. Too often, what the other man is saying seems impossible to understand. This lack of understanding, it seems to me, is worth talking about.
Important talk, difficult talk, may be made easier by using dialogue skills that help us better understand each others assumptions.
In trying to understand the other man's point of view I have found it useful to take into account my own assumptions as well as his. Often a pertinent assumption is unknown to me. Yes, it happens. The unknown assumption may be mine or his. An assumption may be locked in a part of the mind not easily accessed.
There are probably assumptions in his mind that have never entered mine.
We humans form societies. Often we do so unconsciously. However, there may come a time we will want to form a society consciously. A society is our way of working and living together. A society uses rules, laws, institutions, etc. Rules, laws, institutions are based on assumptions we hold. We may get or assume the rules etc. by thinking and agreeing that we are going to have them, and then we do it. Backing up our thinking, agreeing and doing is culture. Culture is shared meaning, shared assumptions. Much of that sharing is done through communication. Talk is an important form of communication. You have noticed that some persons seem better at talk than others. There are levels of communication skill. There is a set of communications skills that some have called dialogue. It turns out that these dialogue skills are particularly useful for bringing assumptions to light.
As a dramatic example, let's say that a diverse set of people desire to set up a government. I order to do so they will find it useful to agree to a common meaning for the kind of government they want. They are likel to need to agree on what a good government is or on what is the right sort of government for them. Different cultures will produce different governments. If they don't agree they will have a political struggle. If their politics don't work, they may have a civil war.
Disagreeable may arise do to their ignorance of each others assumptions. Dialogue that brings assumptions to light could prevent bloodshed.
Society is based on shared meanings. Shared meanings constitute the culture. Culture may be built or strengthen with education and communication. There is a wide choice of education and communication methods and styles. Not all of the are of equal effectiveness. To make a good and effective society we must learn to share coherent meaning well enough.
Today our larger society seems to have an incoherent meanings. Too often, what the other man is saying seems impossible to understand. This lack of understanding, it seems to me, is worth talking about.
Important talk, difficult talk, may be made easier by using dialogue skills that help us better understand each others assumptions.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Meditation Related to Thoughtful Talk
Our Our language is natural to us. It activates meaning in each of us. We describe that meaning.
We know that context contributes to meaning. Context is our understanding of our experience. Meaning depends upon our interpretation of our experience. We can talk about context, meaning, experience.
Meaning moving in my mind is influenced by my experience and upon my interpretation of that experience. I am pleased to make some of m experience purposeful. My purposeful experience may include attempts, tries, conscious interpretations. I am othen aware of my doing. I may consider the nature of my doing.
We may tend to experience a "thing" as a kind of unchanging object when we know that it is really a snap-shot of a process in action. We consider how we understand a process.
We know that context contributes to meaning. Context is our understanding of our experience. Meaning depends upon our interpretation of our experience. We can talk about context, meaning, experience.
Meaning moving in my mind is influenced by my experience and upon my interpretation of that experience. I am pleased to make some of m experience purposeful. My purposeful experience may include attempts, tries, conscious interpretations. I am othen aware of my doing. I may consider the nature of my doing.
We may tend to experience a "thing" as a kind of unchanging object when we know that it is really a snap-shot of a process in action. We consider how we understand a process.
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