Effective communication only happens when the intended message is expressed successfully by one person and received and understood by another. If executed correctly, it cuts down the unintended consequences that arise as a result of miscommunication. When a word is chosen to communicate a thought, idea, or description, what assurances are there that the intended meaning will be clearly understood by the recipient? Unfortunately, there are none. This is especially true today as the use of social media, email, texting, and video conferencing have circumvented the need for phone calls and face-to-face communication. With technology moving so quickly, it is more evident now than at any point in history that how we communicate and the amount we are inundated with has created a dilemma where so much non-verbal communication is being ignored.
The importance of choosing the right word may not seem critically important to everyone; however, using the wrong term in the nondestructive testing industry (NDT) can have severe consequences.