A Short Dictionary of (Potentially) Misunderstood Words – An Introduction
In the Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera’s characters Franz and Sabina are doomed to failure in their relationship because, while they think they are communicating, the words they use have such different meanings to each of them, that no true understanding takes place. Only compounding confusion and resentment results. Kundera offers “A Short Dictionary of Misunderstood Words” to illuminate for the reader how even the simplest of words can be so heavy laden with memories and associations that their use is continually tailed with deep-set, and often hurtful, misunderstanding.
So in an attempt to dim the offenses I may have committed towards people in my own life through similar misunderstandings, I am going to engage in a short blog series that I will unimaginatively title – “A Short Dictionary of (Potentially) Misunderstood Words”. I am going to mimic Kundera’s style and speak in third person just for kicks, so humor me.
- posts to follow -
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2 Responses to “A Short Dictionary of (Potentially) Misunderstood Words – An Introduction”
By Laura on Feb 1, 2010 | Reply
Cat, that portion of Kundera’s book spoke to me like no other passages in literature. Honestly, they book is one of the reasons I studied relational communication in graduate school and informs my own personal theories on relationships. I LOVE that you are making your own dictionary. I am going to re-read the book now that I am an old married lady and see how it speaks to me in this stage of my life.
By pamjane on Feb 12, 2010 | Reply
i picked up this book before leaving Georgia per your recommendation, but I haven’t started it yet. I’ll start tonight…