Today is European day of languages and I guess we all have in on one or another way experienced the importance of our words.
Words matters as we make ourself understood for others but also words are the reason for a lot of misunderstanding and even the tools for lies and harm.
Just your mother languages is so important that you have hard to survive without being able to communicate. Lucky are we to live in a world where we can write words down and even the sign language is more common and known.
Language is also your way to success or fall. Just in my nursing job I have to watch my language very carefully, not only in the way how I speak to people, what to tell them, also what I write down to report or when I write to the doctors, as I am not allowed to diagnose, but to give the doctor a clear wink. But I also have to watch my words for potential lawsuits.
These days I work many times with nurses and other staff from other countries and so language has become more then important as I have to remind myself to speak clear, easy and slow as possible.
I lived in Sweden and also worked there and so I learned swedish and could therefor work quite well and understand my patients, colleagues and had a good connection to the doctors and many times by phone, which is in a foreign language all but easy.
Language is also culture. The more we speak, the more words we use the more we will understand our own culture and those of others. That's why reading is so important.
Even when you believe you know enough, be sure that one truth is always out there- you'll never know enough! You'll learn that when you start to feel ambition to become more then you are just in the moment, when you want more out of life and when you realize that you have the ability to be better and bigger. At least when you become a leader of a crowd you will quickly understand, that your words not only matters, those words you tell are the communication and image you send out and this will give to people the impression if you are right for your position or not. Never underestimate the need of other people to hear your words and to be listened and get answered even if the answer sounds similar. And never believe it is not such a big thing to put a talking a week later without need will do no harm.
Remember language is also the reason for gossip and preconceptions. They will possibly believe you are not earnest with your project. Or worse that you don't take them seriously.
In my job I have to talk a lot to my people and also to relative of our patients as again and again can get the impression of wrong understanding or better said; they may understood it right first, but remember then all wrong or part of it, so I have to make a correction. I also try then to get an answer which shows me if they understood or not. This does not make sure that they will still remember the right understanding next time we meet. Especially when you work with your staff, make sure to talk and talk and talk about similar things as many listen just the moment and then forget. That's why many staff members believe they did not get the mention of a project or change or they should have been asked, or they believe you did things without informing them. Many bosses forget that or are unaware of that problem and the challenge that means.
That's why I try to make team meetings as often as possible and try to put in as much as I can, but not to much, as people can get tired. Also I make sure to take up stuff which is not so nice and put the truth as possible on the table. Your people will more likely believe in you and be with you.
And then let's not forget to keep in mind, when you work with people from another country to get to know how they use to communicate. It makes a big difference and that is something we almost forget.
And if you want to work in another country- please read all the books and ask your friends in the countries how people use to be and communicate. It will spare you a lot of bad luck and more important will keep you people friendly and helpful. The mistakes are so easy to make, even if we are quite international these days.
But don't be afraid, it is not all hard work. Get to know a new language and also therefore the culture is a lot of fun and amusement. The joy you will be able to achieve is worth all the learning and awaken nights. For me it is also very interesting how much it helps me to understand other countries, if I can read the press, understand the TV and News and cinemas and books. I also get another view on my own country and our habits and image we have and what we believe we are in your eyes.
And even my friends in other countries help me to understand the world, myself and a lot of whys, hows and so on.
I am heard of hearing and so happy to have hearing aids and feel a little helpless and out of this world, like when I am not part of it, when they are not functional. I am also very grateful to have met people who shows understanding but also take me the way I am and yes with a little help of humor it all got me far and will bring me further. Misunderstanding is therefor something I really know for sure.
In that way... we have a lot to think about the potential of our languages and can be happy that we speak and so lets use positive words and try to avoid negative talking. If our future has to become better, then it depends of the use of strong and positive words.
Happy european language day and I hope I could make myself understood.
LOVE & LIGHT
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