See What I Mean?

“See what I mean?” was a common phrase from many teachers when I was growing up. When, asked after explaining something difficult (or occasionally something simple), which they had just demonstrated or ‘supposedly’ explained to us as they moved, shaped or created things. Or when assisting us one on one (if you were lucky) with working out a maths problem or sentence structure in a book. At the end of the visual demonstration of the correct way of doing it, they would look at us and say “See?” Right from the start we were faced with a problem. Instead of asking, “Did you understand what I mean?” they asked if we saw it. Ummmm. There is only one answer to that question. In our heads we were asking ourselves if we saw it, and our senses told us we had seen it, so we answered “Yes”. Did we understand what we had seen? Probably, not. But the teacher wasn’t asking us that. We answered truthfully. But it didn’t mean we were on the same page (figuratively speaking).

 “I see what you mean” is often said by many people, who regularly use the English language. Now, while seeing, clearly, is very important to understanding visuals and particularly language (ask any professional lip-reader of deaf person), I have observed another strange phenomenon. Hearing someone, apparently, has a lot to do with being able to see clearly. Something I have observed many times in the population (not just the English speaking world). I recall working on a particular play once, for which I was operating the lighting, and which the director had gone for a very dark atmosphere at the opening of the production, in keeping with the mood of the intensity. As the play began in the low light, and the first actors began their conversation, there was a lot of shifting in the seats of the audience. Various members of that audience were actually leaning forward and ‘peering’ towards the stage. After  several moments there was a hoarse whisper from a member of the audience, “Speak up!” It was clearly heard alongside the dialogue. In fact, it was said at exactly the same volume as the actor’s own speech. But, as the next scene began and the light was somewhat brighter for the setting of that scene, I actually heard another member of the audience say ‘That’s better, I can hear what they are saying now”. 

So, it is obviously vitally important that when presenting or talking to any group, the lighting will depend on how well you are heard (really?). Unfortunately, yes it is. Never stand with your back to the light source (apart from making it impossible to see your face) it makes people very uncomfortable, but usually it simply means they cannot see what you are saying, or (wait for it) what you mean. Does that sound as strange to you as it does to me?

(Continued tomorrow)