AS a writer, I’ve had to continuously enhance and improve my writing skills. I’ve done this not only for myself but for the readers I write for. From improving my grammar, increasing my vocabulary and even learning the different writing styles and techniques, I’ve tried to improve on a bit of everything over the past few years. However, I recently realised that I’ve done all of this without understanding that there’s a time and place as to when I have to use a said technique or even a specific word. This may sound confusing at first, but hear me out. As a writer, or anyone who uses communication or words; I had to learn how to connect with my audience. I’m writing this column piece so that others who are interested in pursuing similar career choices or paths will be able to understand why this is important.

Your methods of communication are ineffective when the receiver does not understand the message. This is a basic concept many seem to stray from. I’ve seen many young writers, volunteers and even social media managers use an extensive vocabulary to execute their work. However, the audience they serve simply do not understand their messages, ideals, perspectives—no matter how simple it is because of the language they chose to use. I’ve seen these people explaining simple concepts and ideas to their audiences with “fancy” words and sentences. In fact, nothing’s wrong with being knowledgeable about words and communication methods that are vast and extensive. The problem lies when your ego gets in the way of when and how to use them. To be fair, many of us allow ourselves to think that we ought to “impress” and/or “outshine” others. I’d personally call this a barrier of communication and language.

As such, when we’re in gatherings or we have a public platform, these fancy words and communication styles are used. I’d like you all to ask yourself these questions; Why do you use certain words in certain conversations or settings? Is there any intention to use such words? If yes, what is that intention? Many of your answers will probably be along the lines of wanting to be articulate. However, I’d like for you to ask yourself these questions as follow-ups: will your audience understand your message through your articulations? Do you care if they understand your message is correctly conveyed? Or, is the articulation more important? These questions will be able to answer whether or not your intentions and methods to communicate are effective, or not. When you work in the realm of communication, you always try not to insult the intelligence of your audience, but at the same time you must not try to belittle them by using language they can’t understand.

If people feel intimidated by your tone, they simply won’t be interested in what you have to say. You might not intend to scare or intimidate them, but if your focus is solely on high IQ articulations, then your actions may say otherwise towards them. In Guyanese terms, it’s better to get on the grass-root levels of people and communication. I always root for intellectual advancement and we should be able to use what we’ve learned—it’s a must! However, at the end of the day, if your line of work and people’s well-being depends on the information you’re trying to rely on, you must be able to learn how to adapt to their capacities of understanding and work with them at a level that is nurturing to them. Otherwise, you’ll be doing the title you hold a disservice by choosing ego over compassion. This should be a life skill for those in helping professions or positions.