Do you avoid using words that you think the questioner/answerer might not understand? I don't mean that I think I'm smarter than everyone else, but some people on here obviously are a lot more intelligent than their answers would lead you to believe...I'm just wondering who feels they have to cut down to the level of their questioner/answerers? Or do you answer and hope for understanding?
2006-12-04 03:19:17 · 24 answers · asked by Baby'sMom 7 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Yes, you always have to. It's called "knowing your audience". I answer as I normally speak and if the get the "deer in the headlights" look or ask a person to repeat back to me what I just said and they cannot, I reword it as necessary.
I never feel superior as I would rather my point be understood than to seem/feel smarter than those I am talking to. I feel if I speak at the level I am comfortable with, I can converse with people at many levels, with only having to adjust occasionally for clarity.
2006-12-04 03:26:43 · answer #1 · answered by Joe S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think I would call it dumbing down my answers. What I try to do is word the answer in such a way as to make sure the asker can understand what I'm saying. There is no point in trying to help someone if they can't understand what you're trying to say.
You are right though. When I know that the person asking is really intelligent, I'm much more likely to let go a little, and unleash the gray matter, and the acerbic wit. Its all good.
2006-12-04 03:23:57 · answer #2 · answered by Firespider 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah sometimes actually. I also feel like if I make my questions/answers long, they may not even read them. But I just tend to write long answers anyway... I guess I'm just trying to put forth effort on every answer I write. Plus, if they don't understand the question, people get annoyed and write rude answers. So yes I try to make them simple. Glad I'm not the only one that does this sometimes!
2006-12-04 03:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by mrs. vader 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I translate everything that I take in and put out, I use my own words in my mind, I dumb stuff down for myself and can remember a lot more.
It depends who I am around and what kind of impression I want to make, often I want to seem less intellegent than I am so that people do not expect as much from me.
2006-12-04 03:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by Timothy C 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I find myself constantly dumbing down my language. Not just on here, but in "real" life too. Stupidity has become a pandemic (oh, jeez! I hope everybody knows what "pandemic" means!) in the United States. No wonder the rest of the world hates us, and the jihadists want our country blown up.
2006-12-04 03:23:56 · answer #5 · answered by concretebrunette 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not usually, its not my fault they don't think like me. Not trying to sound mean or anything, but everyone thinks differently and I leave it up to a person to decide whether or not they understand my questions or answers. I'm not going to change the way I think to make everyone happy.
2006-12-04 03:29:58 · answer #6 · answered by ~Kricket~ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Far too many questions and answers seem to be 'dumbed down'. It would almost be a good thing if that's the case. There seem to be way too many illiterate people on line.
2006-12-04 03:22:37 · answer #7 · answered by puresatin 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why "dumb down" just to appease the masses? I speak the way I speak...a good education should be cherished, but not rubbed in others faces though...if they don't understand me...then they should learn to speak English...
2006-12-04 03:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by Robert B 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm tempted to sometimes, but usually give my best anyways. If I don't feel it will be appreciated, I don't try as hard, but I don't think I "Dummy-down". I sometimes re-word to be more clear than I initially thought I needed to be. Some questions...I just don't answer.
In ASKING on the other hand......
2006-12-04 03:27:07 · answer #9 · answered by the23FireKeep 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, if it’s a technical question then they probably won’t understand the jargon that seems to spew forth. This is mostly true at work
2006-12-04 03:23:38 · answer #10 · answered by Merrily 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋