Developing "Active Listening" Skills II



II. Because Language Is Inherently Inexact

Would you stop at a roadside comfort station that advertised

EAT HERE AND GET GAS

The same word has different meanings to different people:

On a scale of 0 to 100, how often does something occur when it occurs . . . ?

normally, generally, usually, typically, probably, frequently, rarely, possibly

G E N E R A L L Y

P O S S I B L Y
0------|-------------------------------|----------------------------|------------100%
Low Frequency Mid-Range High Frequency

20% of Less Approximately 50% 80% or More
Rarely Normally, Typically, & Usually Frequently & Probably




Be certain to ask the questioning attorney for his definition of these adverbs, or supply your own
(e.g., typically means 50% or more of the time).

Speech is full of colloquial expressions or regional expressions.

We frequently "infer" what we "think" others said.