Associative Method: L'2
Choice of Name: This method was originally called informational because most information is highly specific to the group that provides it. Independently and abstractly developed information systems usually cannot be connected to operations because categories and meanings are locally tailored and idiosyncratic to those working there.
Features
This is the language of familiarity. Words are used here as if they are things: seemingly indistinguishable from their meaning and what they represent. The group's specific experiences and shared values provide the context that gives sense to specific terms and to the communicative exchanges.
Communications (and the underlying thought processes) are typically:
- time-specific—the same phrase may change or lose meaning rapidly
- subjective—affected by personal viewpoints, wishes
- situational—vague or without meaning for outsiders
- mnemonic—reminding the group of past experiences and togetherness
- heuristic—guiding future actions either specifically or broadly.
Members of the group have enough commonality for misunderstandings to be easily rectified. Group members are usually seeking to get basic needs met in an ever-changing context. These needs might involve obtaining reassurance or approval, or pursuing shared tasks, or simply whiling away time. At the extreme, a person is simply blathering on and allowed to do so by others.
Communicating in an associative way, being so natural and easy, is probably used by everyone whenever possible . It will be used regularly amongst intimates, and it is certainly used by many for all or much of the time in the workplace.
Examples
Multipurpose Terms
There are words where the dictionary refers to 'informal usage' and cannot say what is meant. The entry merely advises that the reference is to something not being precisely named for various reasons. In your everyday friendly interactions, the following terms can communicate something very specific:
gizmo, gubbins, thingamajig, thingumabob, thingummy, whatchamacallit, jigger, widget, doodad, doohickey, doojigger, gimmick, trick.
Handle a Manager's Meeting
Nurse Manager:Something has to be done. The quality of care in your ward is not what it should be. I want an explanation.
Ward Sister:What do you mean? You know I run a quality service.
Nurse Manager: Figures on infection, of incidents, and patient complaints that cross my desk are too high, at least in comparison to the other four wards that I oversee.
Ward Sister: But have you taken into account the sort of patients we have? We take the sickest from all the doctors. That's because of my reputation. You know I'm the only one that brought in team nursing as you wanted. Also what about my good relationships with the doctors. They trust me.
Nurse Manager: That's all very well. But this conversation has been triggered by a complaint from Dr. Smith who went and looked at the figures. I have to deal with that.
Ward Sister: You know he only just joined us and the other doctors have not been happy about his attitudes. This seems like another of his ploys to me. What do you want me to do?
Comment: Both parties know that 'complaint' has a different meaning in its two uses. They know what is referred to by terms like 'figures', 'incidents', 'too high', 'other four wards', 'sort of patient', ' not been happy', 'team nursing', 'my reputation', 'his attitudes', 'another of his ploys', and so on. These are imprecise terms that are precise for the speakers because they live the day-to-day events and share an understanding of the a work situation in their hospital. An outsider lacks the required associations and (based simply on the above exchange) cannot know what is being referred to or assess the validity of any of the statements. Nor would an outsider be able to propose sensible actions to be taken, which is the necessary outcome of this conversation.
Relaxing in the Bar
Bill: So how did it go?
Tom: The usual.....fed up with all this. Hopeless.
Bill: Don't be like that. Ummm...so was our old friend there?
Tom: Yes. Dammit. You know what I predicted. Hey, look who's walked in!
Bill: Up to his usual tricks, eh.
Tom: Like last time. So, so, did you...you follow my advice?
Bill: You've given me so much advice it comes out my ears. Incredibly hot, here.
Tom: But did you?
Bill: I'm just not putting up with it anymore. Why not have another iced beer? So what advice are referring to?
Fragment of the Watergate Tapes
Extracted from S. Pinker: The Language Instinct, 1995, Ch.7. Pinker notes "Conversation out of context is virtually opaque." p.223.
- Dean: No. Well, that's one possibility. But also when these people go back before the Grand Jury here, they are going to pull all these criminal defendants back in before the Grand July and immunize them.
- Nixon: And immunize them: Why? Who? Are you going to—on what?
- Dean: Uh, the U.S. Attorney's Office will.
- Nixon: To do what?
- Dean: To talk about anything further they want to talk about.
- Nixon: Yeah. What do they gain out of it?
- Dean: Nothing.
- Nixon: To hell with them.
- Dean: They, they're going to stonewall it, uh, as it now stands. Except for Hunt. That's why, that's the leverage in his threat.
- Haldeman: This is Hunt's opportunity.
- Nixon: That's why, that's why,
- Haldeman: God, if he can lay this—
- Nixon: That's why your, for your immediate thing you've go no choice with Hunt but the hundred and twenty or whatever it is, right?
- Dean: That's right.
- Nixon: Would you agree that that's a buy time thing, you better damn well get that done, but fast?
- Dean: I think he ought to be given some signal anyway, to, to—
Criticisms: Fair and Unfair
It is easy to criticize associative communication if you are committed to one of the more objective or organized ways of using language. It seems so unreliable, so exclusive and even escapist—almost ghetto-like.
While it is fair to say that there is a danger that fallacies in thinking or judging will result from the sloppiness of uncontrolled associations, this way of communicating is easy, quick and natural. We all use it and always will.
Originally posted: 5-Jan-2013. Last amended: 10-Feb-2023.