pragmatic communication Archives - Pragmatic Compendium

Reading too much on the internet today and keep thinking one thing:

Sarcasm is an ineffective persuasive technique.

It’s condescending, arrogant, divisive and shuts down dialog. It’s too often used by people in a manner to indicate that an issue is simple and anyone who doesn’t see the simplicity and logic of their side of an argument is an idiot to be ridiculed and dismissed.

Seriously.

If these issues were simple,
they wouldn’t be so controversial.

Anyone who uses trite, flippant sarcasm to make a point – especially without even acknowledging any opposing points of view – loses credibility with me

– and my interest in any discussion with them about how stupid the other guy’s point of view is

– regardless of whether I am the other guy or am aligned in opinion with the person wielding the sarcasm.

So, I’m reading Women, Faith, And Work How Ten Successful Professionals Blend Belief. Specifically, I’m reading the chapter on Goldie Rotenberg: Real-Estate Attorney. The author, in describing Goldie’s life as a Hebrew Christian, mentions her involvement with “a mission devoted to evangelism among Jewish people” and how it

“has helped maintain her sanity in her bifurcated world.”

bifurcated.

Never used this word. I am compelled to look it up. I could be using this word. It could be just the word I need someday when discussing something that is bifurcated. Things could be bifurcated and I wouldn’t even know it.

“Adjective: bifurcate ‘bI-fur`keyt

1. Resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
“the bifurcate appendages of an arthropod”
– biramous, branched, forked, fork-like, forficate, pronged, prongy

Verb: bifurcate ‘bI-fur`keyt

1. Split or divide into two

2. Divide into two branches
“The road bifurcated”

Derived forms: bifurcated, bifurcating, bifurcates

cool word.

And the examples are great. My favorite is: “the bifurcate appendages of an arthropod”

So, let’s see. How can incorporate the use of this word in my daily life? The next time I have to describe a particular road leading to my house, I can use the example given above:

“When you turn onto McStreet, the road immediately bifurcates. Stay to the right.”

THAT will make the directions so much clearer. What else, what else? Hmmm.

“Honey, will you hang the new bird feeder up right where the branch bifurcates?”

What? He’s my husband. I can mess with him if I want to. Besides, the geek probably know what it means. He used to read the dictionary for fun, for crying out loud.

And how about: