Please Explicate Your Semantics.

The fourth definition of interpret is "to perform or render (a song, role in a play, etc) according to one's own understanding or sensitivity."  First, any performer would argue that good interpretation takes the audience's understanding into account as well.  Secondly, this is true of all interpretation in the practical, human sense.  It is not possible to interpret outside of your own understanding.  Which, despite attempts at total objectivity, makes 'meaning' very personal and nuanced.  And yes, I am talking about language.  Internet comments (along with much of the rest of our lives) could do with a quick discourse on how to make yourself understood in a way that fosters intelligent conversation and debate. So, a few nouns and verbs to kick us off:

semantics— the study of meaning and changes in meaning and form, the interpretation of a meaning of a word

hermeneutics— the science/theory/methodology of interpretation, esp. scripture

exegesis— critical explanation or interpretation of a text, esp the Bible

explicate— to make clear the meaning of, explain, interpret

translate— to explain in terms more easily understood, interpret

elucidate—to make lucid or clear, explain, clarify

clarify— to make clear or intelligible, free from ambiguity

Clear, transparent, lucid.  The light of meaning.  There are entire fields of study surrounding meaning.  Arguing semantics is the basest form of the study of semantics.  It is the catch-all for not wanting to listen to your opponent's arguments.  Meaning is, quite obviously, very near and dear to me. I believe if we all carried around dictionaries (We do! They're called iPhones.) then we could avoid at least half of the silly arguments that cluster around the free exchange and debate of ideas.  The first step to successful communication is to know what it is you are saying.  The second is to know that the other person does too. We filter and interpret and tailor our dialogue depending on the setting.  You use different vocabulary when talking to a six year old versus a sixty year old. What generally lacks though is a level of conscientiousness that not only communicates ideas but digests outside ideas.  We listen.  Not just to what is said, but to what is meant.  I can feel better about myself by correcting my friend's grammar, or I can strengthen our friendship by endeavoring to let them know I understand what they are saying.  Always remember, they are filtering what they say through their own interpretation of language and experience AND SO ARE YOU.

Don't worry, this is as preachy as I am likely to get.  Also, note that semantics has devolved to mean only one aspect of its original meaning, much like 'cynic'.  To sum up: attend to your structure and to anything put forth for critique, and beyond that try to cross the barriers of semantics and take heed of underlying meaning!