Ankesh,

I'm confused.

Do you think Michael understood what Don thought he was saying, or did Don say what Michael thought he understood him to say????? : )

I think you're 100% right . . . it's the understanding imparted by the symbols (words) that's important . . . not the particular symbols themselves.

If you can get your concept across, with understanding by the other party, you have communicated. Regardless of the words used.

Getting stuck in the "proper" use of words is like viewing a painting with a microscope. It may be interesting, but it is not necessary to get the viewpoint the artist intended to convey.

Anyway, that's one man's opinion . . .

---- Hugh