"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning."
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
CONSIDER: What kind of differences exist between reading something and hearing it read aloud? Do words have more power when spoken than when written? Is it easier to misinterpret the spoken or the written word, and why do you think so?
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I believe that without a voice behind the words, the paper means nothing but letters that are written on it. Reading something creates a picture in your head from your imagination and understanding, but when the same thing is heard aloud, the words take upon a deeper meaning. They follow the emotions in the speakers voice, creating clarity and depth within the words. I think that written words, even though they look clear, cause a wider margin for misinterpretation than spoken words. Once something is set on paper, the one reading assumes the writer's intentions for writing, rather than actually knowing why it was written. When you say something out loud, it is clear to the one listening about your intentions for the word, and you also can show your true feelings. I think that the quote is very accurate, and even though something may look clear and straight forward on paper, speaking the words show a more accurate interpretation of the words.
ReplyDeleteI believe the difference between reading something and actually hearing it is that hearing it gives it more meaning. With having something on paper, you can't really express the feelings you have behind those words. With saying it, your body language and expressions can tell exactly how you feel and what you mean. So, I think saying something out loud has more power that just simply writing on paper. Sometimes it seems easier to write things on paper than having to say how you feel out loud because of the awkward feeling you get being face to face. But, it's usually better to say how you feel in person. I also believe it's easier to misinterpret the written words because when you write something down one way and give it to someone else, they might not think of it the same way you did. They could take it a whole lot different than the original meaning of the words.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting question. The actual fact that I said Ms. Anelou's statement mentally and verbally shows how I was and am compelled to test out this theory before I give an answer. I, for one, can say I never read verbally, at least not when needed or appointed to do so. For me it makes no sense to do so privately, especially when i'm having quiet time. I assume since I do everything in my head and I was told throughout my reading years to do so "silently" (a.k.a in my head), this has now become a habit of norm circumstances. I am also able to process words five times better mentally than verbally on regular bases. This is, of course, going for me and my best method(s), not all of the human race.
Now, the question about interpretation(s)...
I do not believe that any one way of giving words is fool-proof of misinterpretation. People, even with similar cultures and teachings, have different ways of understanding information and going about processing its meaning(s). Take for example this phrase: You're stupid. A kid/tween/young adult may use it when speaking to a friend or someone they are comfortable with when they (the friend) say something funny or if they have a slow reaction towards a delimma. What if a teacher/adult walks by and just hears that phrase? What if it was in a note? One thing I can almost guarantee is that the excluded party will have a different interpretation than those who are actually included.
As for the power of words written or spoken, I would assume it depended on how and who said/wrote it and the individual. For me, the Gettysburg Address may have at a time been a deep and emotional poem, but as a child born four generations after President Lincoln, I have absolutely no soft-spot for the poem, so reading it is not my favorite chore. I guess on that part, you could say I prefer verbal responses, but to be honest, unless it is a play, a song, or anything meant to be played out, it needs to be written.
And I will read it mentally and still feel at least a little less confused than if I did so verbally...
I believe that words come alive when they are spoken aloud, and written words are easy to misinterpret. Like MB143 said, hearing the words spoken aloud gives it more meaning. When the words are written on paper, it is lifeless, but when it is spoken aloud, there is so much more emotion and meaning behind the words. For example, a script is just a bunch of words, but the actors speak it to make the story come alive.
ReplyDeleteAlso, words that are not spoken can be misinterpreted. For example, many arguments started and friendships ended from misinterpreted text messages. In conclusion, words have more power when spoken and written words can be misinterpreted.
from Jeremy:
ReplyDeleteWhat i think is that their is not that much meaning in words when they're written down, then them being in a letter or anything. However the human voice has the ability to inspire, motivate you. You can get a different meaning from words when there spoken then you writing them. So it is better to tell a human things in words to show the meaning you have about it then you writing them down.
On this quote, i am half in half. While reading, if the person has enough imagery and voice behind it already, i don't think that hearing the person's voice would be necessary. Now if something was meant for us to read without hearing the voice in it to begin with, then that piece of writing must be very vague with little emotion behind it. As writers, we should always try to create something so deep and even sometimes relatable, that the human voice behind it is not really necessary. When writing, we have the unique ability to hide behind words and manipulate them in different ways that we can't gain through talking. At the same time when talking, we have an extraordinary abilities that might not be specified when writing something. To say that I agree with this quote completly would make me unsure of the true meaning behind writing if not all of it can be expressed though a human voice. But to say that i am halfway is proof that some things just can't be expressed like others.
ReplyDeleteI believe this quote is right because people won't feel the emotions they get when hearing someone if they read by written word.People have the power to encourage anybody with word and paper gives people idea to think about.It's easier to misinterpret spoken words because you can express as much as you want than written word.
ReplyDeletefrom poohbear:
ReplyDeleteThe difference between hearing something and reading something is like when you read you have to read it clearly but when yoou hear it you already know what it is. Words have more power spoken when you speak beacuse you couldnt know what your doing and saying. But when you write it you can read over it and see what you said that was bad. It's easier to misinteroect the spoken because it way better to speak than to write something sometimes. But when you write something bad you can always see and rewrite it. It changes your mistake. I liked how Maya Angelou wrote that quote. Its really true in eveyday life. But i think speaking something is better than writing something.
from Boxman Jr.:
ReplyDeleteWords spoken have a different effect than words written. When you read something your mind creates an image and lets you see the meaning in your view. When words are spoken the speakers emotions and thoughts are poured into each word letting you understand the meaning on a deeper meaning with more clarity and purpose than what you thought.
Spoken words can have more power because people can use more emphasis and put more meaning behind their words while speaking something. Kind of like when sending a text message, the person receiving the message can interpret the message differently than you were trying to say. You could've easily meant one thing and they thought another. Words have so many meanings behind them and you can use your own way of using them, by doing that you add style and personal meaning to them.
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