The art of ambiguity

Smiles from social media and two faced leaving speeches prompt a serious message about the art of ambiguity from author and communications consultant Simon Hall...

I saw a lovely social media post this week, from someone celebrating being accepted to study at a university. 

I've amended it a little to save any blushes, but it went like this:

   - Delighted to announce I've been awarded a place to do a PhD in workplace bullying at the University of Clevertown.

 

I think we all know what the author meant, and were pleased for them. 

But the post read, to me at least, that they were going to examine the workplace bullying happening at that fictitious university.

Which might not be the best start to an academic career there - the serious point. 

 

Ambiguity can be amusing. But it can also be useful.

Think politics, diplomacy and drafting agreements which both sides can present as a victory. 

The Good Friday agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland, is a case in point. 

 

I sometimes use ambiguity in messaging myself. 

I wrote the slogan for Homerton College, Cambridge's excellent Changemakers Programme, which equips students with additional skills to the academic. 

 

   - Now for tomorrow

 

It's deliberately ambiguous, which is partly why it works.

Are we saying now it's time to look to tomorrow? Or working right now for the benefit of tomorrow?

 

Ambiguity is neither good nor bad - just worth keeping a watch for, if only to make sure you're indulging for the right reasons. 

(Unlike in the University of Clevertown example.)

Sometimes it's wise to be clear, but at others leaving leeway to interpret is far more fun.  

 

On the subject of which, for years I've been collecting phrases from leaving speeches. 

It's wonderful how many can be read in two ways, and usually deliberately so -

If the individual concerned has been as much use as indicators on a submarine, or simply idle/unpleasant. 

 

Some of my favourites:

   - Your contribution cannot be measured (because it was so negligible?)

   - We will never see your like again (thankfully?)

   - You'll never truly appreciate what you meant to us (which is fortunate)

   - The office will never be the same again (it's suddenly become far more productive and pleasant)

   - We'll always remember you (in a way you perhaps should better not know about)

 

They're all delightful in that they can be uttered honestly, make the person concerned feel good, while others understand them in a very different way. 

 

If you've heard any other fine examples, do let me know in the comments. 

Such wonderfully two faced wielding of words is a favourite among the collections of my writing life!



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