Have\u00a0you ever noticed how changing one word can totally change a document or someone’s understanding?<\/p>\n
I don’t mean where the wrong word is used accidentally (for example,\u00a0a typing error changing boy to buoy)\u00a0but where an appropriate word doesn’t work as well as intended.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the word doesn’t work because of the audience. For example, I have seen Australian children (and adults actually!)\u00a0struggle over American books when they write about pacifiers (dummies)\u00a0and diapers (nappies)\u00a0– that’s life if the author was aiming at American children, but bad judgement if the author was aiming at Australians.<\/p>\n
Often, however, a word is used that has hidden meanings that can detract from what you were actually aiming at.<\/p>\n
I recently had a discussion about the word therapist versus counsellor. While both words can describe a person you talk to about issues and (hopefully) get some insights and direction from the sessions. However, people perceive the two words in different ways – do you? Personally, a therapist implies someone who will help fix a problem (compare to a speech therapist or physiotherapist) but a counsellor is more about working through ideas or situations. So which word is best will depend on what message you are trying to give.<\/p>\n