Framing verbal shots
Part of my time spent “running” a videoconference is also spent in observation. Not of the visual content, although the framing of each shot is important, but rather of the verbal content. I like to think that each of the participants is framing their own verbal shot.
Each member of the group has their own degree of eloquence, coupled with varying degrees of precision that reflect life experiences brought to the table. Am I waxing enough yet? Good. Nothing like a shiny well-coated floor to make the dance a slippery experience. We’re in a public meeting, where I have no “right” to contribute. I am a spectator, merely framing images for some members that are unable to attend in person. I bear witness that some of the most precise and eloquent discourse takes place between the people that are attending by virtual presence.
One member of the group commented on a tendency to undermine the use of English in our public documents through injection of French idioms. Pas grave? Well, the goal of the institution is English education, so there might be more than passing validity. Another wondered if we should present two versions of official documents; one in simple language for the simple man and another in full technical jargonese for the informed among us. Information is what makes one informed, I thought. A third was able to frame the inability of governments to contribute more than dialogue when some concrete situations arise. (Consider the absurdity of a minister mandating replacement of all school urinals, while refusing to provide extra budget allocation).
Another evening spent as a spectator to the sport of discourse.
