“Watch your step” seems clear enough. But what if it’s a metaphor? Or maybe not? Is it a warning about a wet floor, or a gentle nudge to be careful with what we say or do? Then again, depending on the tone and intent, it could mean something entirely different like a serious warning, or even a veiled threat.
Could it mean: “Be cautious with your actions,” “Think before you speak” or “You’re crossing a line”? That’s the “fun” part of language. It speaks. It echoes. It hints. It doubles back. Language rarely just says what it says. It winks while it’s saying it.
Take these two innocent swimming pool signs that linguist Deborah Tannen shared as an example of how meaning can shift into something completely laughable:
“Please use the toilet, not the pool.
Pool for members only.”
On their own, they’re perfectly polite and clear. One reminds us to keep the water clean. The other explains who’s allowed in. But together? It sounds like members get extra perks—wink wink. The two statements stacked together create one slippery slope.
And that’s what language is all about: meaning in context. In his book Discourse Analysis: The Sociolinguistic Analysis of Natural Language, linguist Michael Stubbs described discourse analysis as zooming out and looking at how meaning works beyond a single sentence.
Then again, what we say is one thing. How someone interprets it is another. And in between lies a whole world of potential misunderstandings. Have you ever thought, “That’s not what I meant”?
Language isn’t just about intention. It’s about interpretation. Our tone, timing, and phrasing, it all contributes to how it’s actually received. Sometimes, like with those pool signs, we laugh. Other times, we get frustrated or hurt.
You say: “It’s fine.”
They hear: “Something’s wrong.”
You text: “Sure.”
They wonder: “Are you upset?”
The space between what’s said and what’s understood is where the magic and the mess live. The dance between the lines takes us to all funny, flawed, and sometimes maddening moments of our communication.
So yes, “watch your step.” But not just when you walk.
Watch your step in conversation, too. Words can be slippery. And while some signs make us laugh, others teach us to tread more carefully. In the end, the “fun” side of language isn’t just about what’s said, it’s about what’s implied. And that can be the most revealing part of all.
Speaking of language and meaning, I can’t wrap up this post without reminding you that I’m still looking for participants for my study on depression. There’s still time to participate and share your story. Your unique voice is what truly makes all the difference!