Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Date of this Version
April 1991
Abstract
Communication is a vital part of this complex world in which we live. Even with the vast vocabulary that has evolved throughout recorded history, we still often find difficulty in expressing ourselves. As receivers of information, we struggle to grasp what the other person is trying to say. Also, when we speak to others, we struggle for the right words to use so that we can convey to that person exactly what we mean. The words we use and how we use them are very important to us as we communicate with each other. We have all experienced a time when we had to search for just the right words to use at just the right time. While using the right words is important to describe something, so is using the appropriate words for the audience being addressed. The papers given at this conference have been great. We are surrounded by people who speak the same language. The words, the terms, the phrases are those familiar to us. If the presenter is offering a new idea or concept, then time is spent explaining the new material so that understanding results. We may not agree with the presenter but we tend to understand what they are saying. If any of you have talked to an elementary class, a high school group, or the local sporting club, you have used different words, terms, and examples in order to facilitate understanding. Jeff Green's paper, "Educating People About Wildlife Damage," was an excellent example of communicating with a special audience. Understanding the audience, or publics with whom we wish to communicate is vital for success.