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The language used in communication is causing confusion and misunderstanding: - Common words are used to describe quite different concepts (Concepts and ideas that over time acquire several words to communicate their meaning)
- Several words with different meanings which collapse over time into one meaning with no distinction made between words i.e. investment and funding
- The same concept might be described using very different words / language.
As a consequence, people often do not realise that they are talking about quite different ideas. This ‘miscommunication’ leads to a false sense of agreement / alignment as well as to unnecessary disagreements (when people think they are talking about different ideas that are in fact the same). This general observation was made many times during the research. The assumption of shared meaning in communication has led to misunderstanding, inconsistency and contradiction. Throughout the conduct of the research, many examples of the inconsistency in use of language was observed. In the processes of communication, SE members used ‘common words’, that is, words accepted into the vernacular of the SE ‘community’ (irrespective of its diversity and complexity), to describe what is/was assumed to be a fair symbolic representation of the concepts under discussion . The result was a mix of uses of concepts which in the views of many respondents meant many things.
There are a number of concepts where the word associated with the concept has taken on multiple meanings over use and time in the sector. Examples include: investment, funding, capacity-building, competition, and others.
For the purposes of this paper we will focus on ‘funding’ and ‘investment’. As one respondent commented:
In order to grow the sector [one] must invest e.g. in fundraising. Only through funding growth can we maximise benefit to the communities in which we work . The quote above indicates confusion in the use of the terms ‘funding’ and ‘investment’. In general, respondents:
- Used the terms ‘funding’ and ‘investment’ interchangeably;
- Emphasised the function, purpose and importance of investment but not what it was or meant;
- Emphasised the consequences of investing;
- Used the terms ‘funding’ and ‘investment’ in multiple ways
Examples of the different meanings given to the term “Investment” are:
- financial backing
- short-term financial reward
- the long term assistance with the funding issues
- efficient use of available capital
- new forms of social venture
- taking responsibility
- sustainability of service and meeting the expectations or needs of the clients
- Other meanings focused on the consequences and purposes of investment, for example,
- Investing in projects of social significance
- Investment brings in the funding. (i.e. funding is not investment)
- a mindset within organisations of building for 'value' in the long term rather than living 'hand-to-mouth'
- starting point for all innovative models and projects
- Investment in services and programs important
- Investment in long-term projects is essential
- Invest time, training, effort, passion, understanding & a vision for your future (i.e. capacity)
- Investment in social equity
- increases awareness & growth of our social economy
- infrastructure and social development
Questions: - If multiple meanings are associated with each word-concept and these word-concepts make up the language of the sector, how is it possible to begin to communicate within the sector, let alone across sectors?
- How does the sector begin to address the misunderstandings that emerge from this situation?
- Is it necessary that these misunderstandings are addressed before we begin to consider the best approaches to change in the SE?
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