We often assume that written words speak for themselves. They don't. Every message is filtered through our personal histories, expectations, bias and social identities.
Thank you for forwarding this to me. I find my humour sometimes gets lost on here. Five people will laugh and one will come from left field and I think that maybe they are looking through their own lens in what they are experiencing that day. And that's ok.
Just last night I got a DM asking if I was ok after a comment so can totally relate to this. For me, yes, I was probably coming across less emoji enthusiastic, but I'm feeling super peaceful this week.
Delayed responses used to put me in a spin, but as I get older, I realize people have their own priorities and lives and if it's important I'll call.
To be honest, I didn't realize this had a term or it was studied, I just thought that was part of being human so it was a fascinating read!
Beautiful piece, Katerina. I loved how you connected it to intersectionality and the way our identities can shape how we interpret every kind of communication, from written words to someone’s tone or facial expressions. We often assume visual cues make the meaning clearer, but I’m not sure they always do. We still read them through our own experiences, beliefs, culture and assumptions about the other person. I sometimes find myself analysing even the meaning of an emoji attached to a text. My mind rarely takes one simple meaning from anything. 😅
Thank you Sara, I am so pleased it resonated because recognising intersectionality in our identities is so important.
Visual cues can also be misleading if we look at them from our own personal lens only when we look at it from an intersectional lens it invites us to be curious and appreciate variety of meanings and check in with the person . It's a topic that needs its own article!
Thank you for being so thoughtful in your comments.
(I have few issues with my app - or it may be me, it keeps leaving comments in other spots)
Thanks Katerina. I agree with everything you said.
Intersectionality and the importance of context are beginning to receive more attention in research, although they are still often treated as limitations in many health and social studies.
I have also been having issues with notifications for comments and replies. Sometimes I have to refresh the page a few times before new ones appear. The same thing happened with yours.
Thank you for reading and commenting. The gap is the important bit. My data is taking me on this path it's a tiny snippet at this stage, will share more soon.
I've read your article and commented. Thank you! 🙏🏼
Katerina, the movement from a single text message to communicative alignment shows how meaning is co-created by language, history, identity, power, and the relationship between sender and receiver. Your discussion of delayed replies, emojis, politeness, and shared contextual history makes digital misunderstanding a shared relational responsibility, especially when each person carries a different history into the exchange. The closing idea about individuality also preserves curiosity as a social good, which keeps difference from becoming merely a problem to solve. Thank you for asking readers to approach interpretation with greater humility, context, and relational care.
Thank you for forwarding this to me. I find my humour sometimes gets lost on here. Five people will laugh and one will come from left field and I think that maybe they are looking through their own lens in what they are experiencing that day. And that's ok.
Just last night I got a DM asking if I was ok after a comment so can totally relate to this. For me, yes, I was probably coming across less emoji enthusiastic, but I'm feeling super peaceful this week.
Delayed responses used to put me in a spin, but as I get older, I realize people have their own priorities and lives and if it's important I'll call.
To be honest, I didn't realize this had a term or it was studied, I just thought that was part of being human so it was a fascinating read!
Thank you Katerina! 🧡💗🧡
You are brilliant Kelly, Iam pleased this resonated, normalized few things and hopefully it has given you language to understand yourself.
Beautiful piece, Katerina. I loved how you connected it to intersectionality and the way our identities can shape how we interpret every kind of communication, from written words to someone’s tone or facial expressions. We often assume visual cues make the meaning clearer, but I’m not sure they always do. We still read them through our own experiences, beliefs, culture and assumptions about the other person. I sometimes find myself analysing even the meaning of an emoji attached to a text. My mind rarely takes one simple meaning from anything. 😅
Thank you Sara, I am so pleased it resonated because recognising intersectionality in our identities is so important.
Visual cues can also be misleading if we look at them from our own personal lens only when we look at it from an intersectional lens it invites us to be curious and appreciate variety of meanings and check in with the person . It's a topic that needs its own article!
Thank you for being so thoughtful in your comments.
(I have few issues with my app - or it may be me, it keeps leaving comments in other spots)
Thanks Katerina. I agree with everything you said.
Intersectionality and the importance of context are beginning to receive more attention in research, although they are still often treated as limitations in many health and social studies.
I have also been having issues with notifications for comments and replies. Sometimes I have to refresh the page a few times before new ones appear. The same thing happened with yours.
Yes... So valuable that lens. I agree lots of research gaps across health and social sciences for sure...
Thanks for sharing re app issues... glitch centra hey, ridiculous 🤬
Oh yes, the gap between texts. To be filled in with stories built in our minds.😄 If you're interested in another angle on communication https://stephanybalancedroots.substack.com/p/are-you-listening-to-me?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=813t6t
Thank you for reading and commenting. The gap is the important bit. My data is taking me on this path it's a tiny snippet at this stage, will share more soon.
I've read your article and commented. Thank you! 🙏🏼
oh thanks! I should have looked lol
Katerina, the movement from a single text message to communicative alignment shows how meaning is co-created by language, history, identity, power, and the relationship between sender and receiver. Your discussion of delayed replies, emojis, politeness, and shared contextual history makes digital misunderstanding a shared relational responsibility, especially when each person carries a different history into the exchange. The closing idea about individuality also preserves curiosity as a social good, which keeps difference from becoming merely a problem to solve. Thank you for asking readers to approach interpretation with greater humility, context, and relational care.
Thank you for reading Rev Kevin, I always find your reflections so helpful 💕