What do you mean?

In a world where we often seem divided (political viewpoints, money, time, free time, computers which are supposed to simplify our lives, and spring weeds which will turn into summer pestilence), I’ve found that asking my students to define words in their experience by their personal opiions, can lead to clarity. Definitions don’t always lead to tolerance or improved communication, but they do frequently lead to clarity. Buckmaster Fuller pondered how he defined words, and commented that creating his personal (connotative) dictionary [in contrast to our shared Webster’s denotative dictionary] was a turning point in his communication with others and himself.

I explain this idea of personal knowledge through understanding how we use words, to the students, and ask them to create a dictionary of their meanings, using words of their own choice. Following are some of the students’ definitions.

Engagement ring: An engagement ring shows my love for another person and symbolizes that I want to spend the rest of my life with them. Hopefully it isn’t cheap because giving up my money also shows I love them.
Engagement ring: beginning of a life-altering mistake.
Engagement ring: One step before Neurological failure. Or, getting a challenging new job, with excellent perks.
Engagement ring: one of a kind. A delicate symbol of commitment and hope for the future. Eternity set in a fragile housing. “The Rock.”
Engagement ring: death…the end of the road. Unfulfilling road of life stops and repeats itself forever and ever…but many go through it many times.
Engagement ring: It will be one of the happiest days of my life when I receive one. It shows love for one another and lets me know that this person wants to share a future with me. It will hopefully be around two carats and white gold or platinum.
Engagement ring: A round ring with a diamond on top, usually given to female from male when he realizes he’s somewhat mature and sleeping around isn’t appealing to him. In some cases used to resemble love. Expensive piece of jewelry that is easy to pawn.
Ex-husband: the man who lived off me for 17 years. He is the cause of my bad nightmares and flashbacks. He is also the man whom I paid a lot of money to get out of my life.
Ex-husband: The man I should have realized was a complete idiot. I spent too many years of my life on him. Unfortunately, I must still deal with him until my son and daughter are 18 years old.
Father: An exceptionally amazing person who can fix anything with just a few tools and a lot of bad words. A man who acts like he is the toughest and meanest hombre in town but when no one is looking will pet the cat.
Feng Shui: An ancient Japanese way of putting furniture in a room that makes no sense because it affects nothing.
First Anniversary: The point in a relationship when people realize living alone isn’t so bad.