In this basic Word Anatomy Course #101, we'll have a look at some of the most common attributes describing people. Some idioms that the most of us take for granted do not necessarily contain the idea that we believe they do. Unveiling their hidden nature may become as a surprise for many of us. Especially, the message of some descriptive words about human behavior and characteristics may change completely when the anatomy of the expression comes under close scrutiny. Nowadays, a growing number of people would like to know what they really are saying, and why are they doing what they do. Perhaps for this reason the course has gained such an unprecedented popularity that the material has already been translated into French, Swedish and German, and the work on the Mandarin language has been recently started.
Introduction and examples
The true nature of a single word is exposed when the actual character string is dissected, fixated, cut, politically dyed and displayed between two transparent video screens. The separated random syllables are then analyzed under a high magnification internet microscope. The consistency of the results is confirmed by making an extensive literature review. An educated individual might see this processing just as unscientific as any cutting of a random rat, but these skeptics will most often be returned back to earth as they come up with the results, and compare them with the real life. Even in professional circles this method is often mixed with "word rooting" although by using this method, the original common meaning is in many cases completely rooted out. Anyway, let's start this course by disassembling the simple word "optimist".
Optimist: Many of us would like to call themselves optimists, but only few dare. Is there a problem with the others seeing optimists naïve, or is it only that the actual word in its written form doesn't tell it all. So, let's start with the basics. If the opt-prefix is related to vision, and we all know what mist is, an optimist, as optical mist, sounds and looks suspicious. Especially an optimistic visionary wouldn't like to have any attributes of compromised vision appended to the context. On the other hand, opt as optional and imist as someone who possibly prefers having (at least or only?) minimal professional safety training doesn't feel good either. So, finally we'll come up with the definition: An optimist is a potentially insecure person with bad vision, and should be considered a liability at work. No wonder that only so few are brave enough to talk about it; they're not sure if it's safe.
Visionary: What about the above mentioned visionaries? They should represent those who are able to see the forest for the trees; discern an overall pattern from a mass of details. However, if you take the word literally, vis as in vis-à-vis, ion as a very small particle and finally aries as a stubborn animal, you'll have a sample of individuals who are all the time hardheadedly facing problems with the details they, according to the supposed definition, avoid seeing, but actually are not able to take into account. Or are these guys just myopic optimists who think they know what is right there under their nose, but never bother to check. Show me a visionary, and I'll show you a real liability.
Articulate: Some people are called more articulate than the others. But when we use the word, is there room for a misunderstanding, or can the adjective be used for even a refined and intentional mocking. As we usually see it, an articulate person speaks fluently and articulates distinctly, and his or her demeanor provides an impression of an educated and reliable character. However, if we dissect and analyze the word into artic that means informal, ul that in HTML language is an "unordered list" and ate, we'll get something very different. In a restaurant, an articulate individual tends to, with no regrets, devour not only the portions he ordered, but also those he didn't order. There is a chance that an articulate person's clear articulation is simply forced by the circumstances; it is hard to speak with your mouth full of food. On the other hand, you need to be, in a twisted way, somewhat polite in order to snatch all the plates from under the noses of your fellow diners.
Perfectionist: An articulate perfectionist would speak in high tones at dinner, and finally clean the next of kin's plate with a piece of bread. Perfectionists can at times be deadly annoying, but I would like to know if any of the good textbooks in Psychiatry have ever gone deep enough into the true essence of a perfectionists mind. Now, if we disassemble the word into per (by means of), fect (make), ion (in web-language short for "I don't"), and ist (having a steadfast belief), we may finally end up with something revealing: Literally, a perfectionist is in a strong belief that by means of his own efforts he's not going to make it. He's a dude who tries to finish all the jobs (if it's building an Interstate or just digging nose) as well as possible, but as a matter of fact is afraid of that the anticipations set on him have been overly optimistic (ho ho, see above), and/or his talent simply doesn't comply with what's required for the task. Whatever he does, he does carefully because he is afraid*. In other words, a perfectionist is an insecure person going through life with faltering steps and scared to death by even potential mistakes. In his case, common sense isn't common at all, unless he'll meet an optimist, who is also afraid, but doesn't see it.
*) BTW, "Afraid" as Afr-Aid refers to the funds being sent to African famine areas and as educational support. One of the recipients is Senegal, and a city named Diarfa ("afraid" reversed).
Tantalizing: Then there are words that in their common implication are pretty accurate. Let's finish this introduction with one. In spoken language "tantalizing" means "things arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable". There are men who dream of faraway but eager Philippine female gymnastic athletes. Our rules apply more accurately if the particular females are especially tanned, or have happened to acquire a liver disease, as tan is yellowish brown, tali is an artistic and athletic girl and zing means enthusiasm and liveliness. These girls can also after the dissection (of the word) be called tantalizing.
Conclusions
So, what's the use for the mutilation of all these well established and nice idioms. As in all fields of life, having sometimes an alternative perspective will help to avoid misjudgments. It could help envision the doings and not doings of the people around even if they themselves didn't realize why they're doing things. This applies especially to the optimists who don't see, and the visionaries who are a liability. Although splitting words may sound a bit unscientific and "out there", the technique is under development, and it's been recognized as one of the most rapidly evolving branches of the Science of Art. Alone last year, our projects received funding from some distinguished sources, and then the OECD. Secondly, this at least is a pretty good try.
A cirrhotic liver usually undergoes dissection in the autopsy.
No comments :
Post a Comment