To all who do not already know (hur hur) my love language is words (
yuarh, i know!! so low maintenance!). I will talk about love langauges another time folks, thats not the point here.
What this means to say is that I express, and receive, affection, chiefly through words.
This observation has set me thinking alot and often, about the importance of speech in our daily lives.
Have you been given the excuse, or have you made the excuse that "
You / I dont mean it! I just said it only in a fit of [anger / happiness / because I was high / insert emotion as appropriate / weakness ]"
Let me give you an illustration of the importance in our choice of words.
Part of lawyering includes the ability to articulate what's on your mind directly, with minimal fuss, unless of course you intend to not say it clearly.
You can say that is the art of good (simple) english. But you should really see the amount of flak [
not flag, thanks corrine, see my english is not perfect!] we get, I get because of how I should say what I mean to say.
You see - much as I agree that a lot of times, especially in the beginning - after correction and amendments suddenly my draft reads so much clearer. In fact, often times, especially when I read the emails of other lawyers (especially the angmohs) it's amazing - it's like somebody cut open their minds and you can SEE EXACTLY what is the point they are putting across with
extreme clarity. It's almost like a dissection of their minds? Like this picture...
My mental picture when I find somebody highly articulate on paper is always of a brain being cut open and like a projector just beaming out whatever is in that person's mind. But
you my intelligent readers you get what I mean. *flashes classic grin*
Okay, as usual I digress, I was saying that much as I agree that often times drafts can read better after amendments, sometimes, it is not a matter of being clearer in what you are saying, but a matter of style..
You see, we often thank people at the end of a correspondence for whatever we have requested that they do in the letter. Some people say, "it would be appreciated". Lawyers often say, "grateful".
So I have a habit of saying, " [make request].
I would be grateful if you would [do as we requested]".
Simple?
But I get so much flak for not saying, "
I will be grateful".
And I would get scolded like nobody business like I made some cardinal error - the point is I am not wrong! (For those who havent spotted what I am talking about, it's in the tense of the words larh). So one day, when I really couldnt take it any more, I went to do a search to
PROVE that I was correct.
And I am!!!
You see from above that it is grammatically correct to use "would" when we are talking about a
probable event that may happen in the future.
Catchword:
MAYWhich means to say, I am not wrong, *cough cough excuse me* i am CORRECT when I say I "would be grateful if (the person would do as we requested) because at the point I make the request, there is no guarantee that the person will actually go and do as I requested - whether they will do it or not is still PROBABLE.
Hence, I am correct, to say "would be grateful", instead of "will be grateful".
TNEH TNEH NEEEE BOO BOOO!!But no, I am not going to run out and plaster this finding on all doors.
This pendantic exercise apart, lawyering illustrates to me the importance, of
choosing our words carefully.
The Bible talks about how we should let our yes be a yes, and our no be a no. I've seen how cases fall apart because solicitors were less than cautious in saying exactly what they mean to say. A quick perusal of the case law in any jurisdiction would show how people try to pull fast ones over the other by their words, either
i. carelessly phrased; and / or
ii. intentionally ommitted; and / or
iii. intentionally vague. *rolls eyes*
And people
DO know the importance of careful drafting, that's why they employ lawyers to say what they want for them marh.. that's why solicitors are gainfully employed so long people have something to say!
That's for legal obligations. There are some things that are worth more. I think that human hearts are alot more fragile and valuable than legal obligations.
In that same vein, shouldnt we exercise more care and caution in our daily speech than when solicitors are drafting? (yuarh this is an exaggeration but you get my drift).
Come on! This world has enough as it is, if only people would mean what they say, and say what they mean! By that I mean people should also act like what they say - you know, conduct consistent with words?
Also, if people would choose their words and actions more carefully (yes, I have talked about this
elsewhere), I think there would be less pain in this world - is a matter of being considerate and honest, you know?
Mind you, I am not talkin about running out there and wearing all of your heart on your sleeves, shirt and pants and etc.. I do believe in tact and grace you know.. But think about it:(a) When was the last time someone hurt you because they were callous in their speech?
(b) When was the last time you thought you could have saved another person some heartache if you had choosen to put things across another way? (i.e. more heart and tact and grace and truth in the content)
It's not easy, granted. But this world would be a happier place if everyone tried, yes?
ps: this is totally out of point, but does anyone know how to write and post with different colours than that provided in the template? heh.. I am gettin sick of patches and patches of green *grin*
sorry guys, i dont know why this picture turned out so small... 
