If we define our language differently, how do we communicate effectively?

Question

I recently asked about the definitions of words to try and find out the limits of current language use. At the macro level, we seem to communicate ok. But at the micro level, where the details do matter, I dont think we do so good. The point of this and my earlier question is to explore if our languages are as limited as they seem. If so, what does this mean for the future of human communication?

Answer 1

Generally, people don't communicate on the micro level, that's what drives grammarians crazy because the micro level is constantly changing without interfering in communicative ability. The micro level tends to mark social and regional status, not serve as the primary workhorse of linguistic communication. I recently spent four weeks in Poland. I don't speak Polish or any other Slavic language. I knew the words for "thank you", "yes" and "no". That's it. I spent most of my time on my own, but found that I was able to accomplish a great deal just by letting people communicate with me in different ways. They would write the price of things down for me, they would point, I would spread my coins out in my hand and let them count out what they needed, I smiled a whole lot. The truth that I discovered there is that people WANT to communicate. Just because the micro level of language is constantly shifting and changing, mankind's desire to communicate overrides the differences and communication will ALWAYS win out.

Answer 2

You're right: we communicate broad ideas well, but we definitely have problems with word definition when it comes to details--especially feelings, or describing the flavor of a quality beer.

Human speech improves and becomes more complex as our consciousness (as a species) develops. The more we understand about life, the more words we invent to help describe it.

But is more vocabulary a solution? The more words there are, the more likely miscommunication becomes.

Maybe we'll find some other way of communicating as we develop.