Dog Gone - 'Left' Behind

Date of publication 17th March 2025 11.45am 

LinkedIn post link https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dog-gone-left-behind-sunil-chadda-px4le 

Introduction 

Forensic Statement and Linguistic Analysis can be of significant value and applied to everyday life with notable effect. 

We can examine the written word, but also examine language used in real-time conversation via Discourse Analysis of the spoken word. This is much harder and takes a sufficient amount of practice and time to be able to do this ‘on the fly’. As we know, it can yield key information. 

A Real-Life Example 

A light-hearted everyday example was noted when someone commented, ‘I left the room to make a drink and when I came back, I couldn’t find the chocolate that was on the side of the table’. 

Everyday conversation flows and moves forward without interruption. When something arises that causes the flow to be interrupted, we pause to consider why. 

In this instance, the person used the word, ‘left’ in respect to the room. In language, brevity is key, and the shortest answer is the best. This statement negates that rule. In going from one place to another, we would be more likely to say the direction or destination of where you are going, i.e. ‘I went to Office B.’ It would be unnecessary to say, ‘I left Office A to go to Office B.’ This is redundant language.  

When we see the word, ‘left’ used as a connecting verb (as opposed to leaving a voicemail message) we can consider or ask, ‘What information has been ‘left’ out?’ Psychologically, the person goes back into the conversation before moving forward. The mind is back to where something sensitive may have happened prior to ‘leaving’ the room. The reason for the sensitivity isn’t necessarily nefarious, but can be explored for missing information. 

In this instance, the chocolate had been ‘left’ in a room with a puppy. The chocolate wrapper was found on the floor but fortunately the chocolate remained. The sensitivity could have been the awareness of the mistake. 

Anytime you hear the word, ‘left’ when used as a connecting verb, always stop and consider if any information has been ‘left’ out. 

Training in moving from every day, ‘dulled’ listening to ‘active’ listening can be the difference that makes the difference. It can provide you with advance notice of not only that which didn’t happen, but also that which might be about to happen. 

It can also help to save your chocolate. 

For further information and training in understanding ‘the difference that makes the difference’ and how you can benefit from it, please contact us. 

All blog subjects are identified, validated and written by the DDL Team. See www.ddlltd.com for more on Deception Detection Lab Ltd. If you would like us to analyse some interesting words, then please get in touch. We are happy to give you a blog credit or else publish anonymously, if you would prefer. 

Cover Photo: Photo by <ahref="https://unsplash.com/@oddityandgrace?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">hannah grace</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/short-coated-tan-and-black-puppy-close-up-photography-fk4tiMlDFF0?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a> 

Photo Credit: Hannah Grace - Unsplash