Pawan joined a course to learn basic Portuguese. On the first day, his teacher insisted to speak only in Portuguese in the class. This would help learn the language better. And if someone had difficulty in understanding they could say, ‘não compreendi!’ (can’t comprehend)
Pawan struggled to comprehend what was being communicated in Portuguese. However, he could keep the conversation going by saying ‘não compreendi’ repeatedly till he understood. The teacher would use simpler language or body language or even speak in English to make him understand.
So often, so many of us do not reveal that we have ‘not understood’ what was told to us. Some worry about displaying their difficulty and be branded as a person with limited comprehension ability. Some feel that they will understand in due course. Some believe that the incomprehensible may not be of great significance.
When we don’t ask for help, we will not get it. We must be transparent about disclosing our difficulties in comprehending the communication. When we do so, we can be helped by explanation or clarification. We also display our interest in the conversation.
There is no shame in declaring our inability to understand. We must know what we don’t know. And we must not pretend to know. We must show (tell) that we don’t know (understand). We must ask for assistance in our sincere efforts to comprehend.
Don’t pretend to understand the difficulty
ask for help by saying ‘não compreendi’!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
#mondaymuse20thYear #pravinsabnis #since2004 #motivation #blogging #MondayMuse
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