I have just one little question after reading all three parts of this series. It seems to define “telling the truth” as including or consisting of “communicating exactly what one intended to the hearer” - assuming that what one intends to communicate is the truth. For me, though, the points of Clarification and Paraphrase (see Part III) seem a little beyond telling the truth. Here’s my question: Does telling the truth put the burden of responsibility for the hearer’s understanding on the speaker?

Or maybe I’m just fighting against an idiom and should say “speak the truth” to refer to, well, saying what’s true, regardless of whether or not the other person gets it.

As for who bears the responsibility, I think we all would start with the assumption that if I say something, my hearer ought to understand it. But we know for sure that that doesn’t always happen. I’m of the opinion that once the speaker becomes aware of a misunderstanding, he or she should try to correct it. That isn’t aways possible, but many times it is if we are patient enough.

And no, I don’t think you’re a pagan for answering on Sunday because I’m answering on Sunday too! This is the first time I’ve been on the internet in almost a week. (I’m using an unsecured public wireless network at the PDX airport while we sit here for 3 hours until our flight leaves.)