Proposes a definition of uncertainty useful in organizational communication and demonstrates the applicability of the concept in managing communication problems in a selected manufacturing firm. (MS)

Argues that in literary translation, like the case of the two African novels in translation under examination, cross-cultural communication and miscommunication problems may occur. (14 references) (Author/VWL)

Advocates clear writing and reminds people that they are responsible for their choice of words. Recounts several situations where a poor or imprecise choice of words led to communication problems. (PA)

Notes that the practice of borrowing kinship terms to address people outside the extended Chinese families, heavily reflected in modern Chinese fiction, causes much difficulty for the English translator. Reviews common translation approaches to such culture-related problems and possible distortions resulting from such practices. (NKA)

This paper comments on the topic of literacy and politics by answering a question: "Why can't literacy educators seem to reach the politicians?" The discussion in the paper shows how educators and politicians communicate in different languages; when speaking about education educators tend to use their own jargon, while policymakers tend…

Much of the writing and speaking of academic administrators is too long, convoluted, full of qualifiers, and slow to get to the point. While academe may be full of imprecisions, the task of its leaders is to illuminate it, not obscure it. (MSE)

In recent years both scientists and laypeople have viewed with dismay the notion that science seems mysteriously different from other areas of human concern. Scientific language is part of the mystique. Yet scientific language is human language before it is science. The mystique that people ascribe to scientific language is of their own making,…

A literary critic addresses science-oriented readers as an outsider and reviews the division between literature and the sciences. A common meeting point is seen in today's world in such broad concerns as environmental pollution. (MP)

Readers are "dumb" because they are not privy to the mind and intentions of the writer; and the failure of the unsuccessful writer is a failure to forecast what it is going to be like to be a dumb reader of the document. Sample sentences from students' writing illustrate the following types of writing problems, which force the reader to examine…

Proposes a code for a new communication consciousness that would keep language sensitive and accountable to human experience. Focuses on mass political communication and the tendency toward systematic negative communication inherent in news pronouncements. (PD)

Notes that the general public has developed an awareness of sexist language usage and has begun to make changes in its use of the word "man," and traces parallel changes that are gradually being made in the English pronoun system. (GT)

Builds on arguments in risk communication that the predominant linear risk-communication models are problematic for their failure to consider audience and additional contextual issues. Argues that "risk" is socially constructed. Argues for an approach that involves the public in fundamental ways at the earliest stages of the…

Describes the ubiquitous and insidious nature of oxymorons to raise awareness level vis-a-vis oxymorons. Indicates the potential detrimental effects of the use--intended or unintended--of oxymorons in business communication. Addresses seven points that attempt to articulate these dangers. (JD)

Contains an interview with journalist Edwin Newman in which Newman urges that students be taught to use language with greater precision, and a response to Newman by John S. Mayher and Rita S. Brause. (DD)

Examines samples of language usage from the Australian mass media, pointing to the media's influence on student language and to the need for teaching students how to understand media language usage. (RL)