Fluency is defined as the ability to speak or write a particular (usually foreign) language easily and accurately. I would like to propose, that the definition needs to include the ability to think in that language. We have all noticed people who speak a language in a manner that gives away the fact that the language is not native to them. We can almost see them think in their mother-tongue and then hear the gears turn in their head as they translate their thoughts into the second language before they speak; usually with a lack of fluency.
Epiphany for the day: The same is true for tact. If we think in brutally honest terms, as people who take pride in calling a spade a spade are wont to do, and then translate our thoughts into more tactful words, our attempt at being tactful will be obviously contrived.
If we wish to learn to be tactful, it is important that we change our habit to think more politely.
2 comments:
Heard this 20 years ago..and has taken me as much time to come close to acquiring some degree of mastery over it 'when you are brutally honest, you are being more brutal than honest. '
And no..dont think we need to think more politely..it is impossible to change our innate way of thinking. We just need to congisant of framing it well. What verbal and non-verbal messages we are giving when we talk. Read this awesome book called crucial conversations.
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