My Time is Your Time
by Candice M. Coleman, Ph.D.
We’ve probably all heard the saying above. For our purposes, please say it out loud.
What ideas did you stress? Probably “my” and “your,” right?
My time is your time.
Why didn’t you stress the word “time”? It looks like a new idea the first time you see it and we learned in a “Pardon My Asking … What’s New?” that in conversation we generally stress new ideas. But, it just doesn’t “feel” right, does it?
Here’s something else to say out loud.
2/9
You probably said “two-ninths,” didn’t you? Now, read this equation,
2/9+3/9=5/9
The chances are very good you read,
two-ninths + three-ninths = five-ninths
“Ninths” is the literal – mathematical – common denominator of the equation, and when we speak, we tend to subdue it each time it occurs, and to stress the numerators. The same is true with words and phrases.
Here’s another well-known phrase.
No news is good news.
Just as in the previous example, it sounds more natural to stress “no” and “good” and subdue “news” both times, doesn’t it?
Here’s why. In our examples, the ideas of “time,” “ninths” and “news” are old in the thought of the speaker or writer from the outset. The contrasts are about that old idea. We use this conversational pattern frequently without even thinking about it.
In Giving the Sense: How to Read Aloud With Meaning Lamar calls it Common Denominator (CD) and it consists of at least four parts: two ideas in common (“time,” “ninths,” “news”) and two ideas in contrast or distinct from one another (“my”/”your,” “two”/”three”/”five,” and “no”/”good”). We subdue what’s common and stress the contrasts/distinctions.
Let’s apply this to a passage from the Bible. In Matthew 26:52, we read:
… all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword:
Is the second “the sword” a new or an old idea? Obviously, it’s old, because it is the second “the sword.”
However, just because we have an idea stated more than once, doesn’t necessarily mean we have a CD construction. There must also be a contrast/distinction. What is “take” distinct from? Could it be “perish”? If so, because in conversation we stress contrasts/distinctions, wouldn’t we stress “take” and “perish” and subdue the two “the swords”? Don’t the “the swords” become the CD statements like “ninths.” Also, aren’t “take” and “perish” the contrasts like the “two,” ”three” and “five”?
… all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword:
What do we do with Isaiah 52:3? I’ve often heard it read,
Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
Does this reading bring out the intended meaning? Let’s look at it as a potential CD construction. Could “nought” and “without money” be similar ideas? (Remember, we’re dealing with “ideas” not “words”.) If so, what would be the contrast? Isn’t the meaning clearer if you stress “sold” and “redeemed”? To paraphrase,
You’ve sold yourselves for nothing and you’ll be redeemed for nothing.
So, we DO have four parts, so it is a Common Denominator construction. In this case the CD statements are synonyms.
If you’re marking the books you read from, you’ll want to underline the contrast (as I’ve done here) and put a light pencil “squiggle” or strikeout through the common elements; that way your eye sees what you want your voice to do.
Here’s another verse that uses synonyms as the CD statement (Acts 23:11 Be).
Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,
so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Could “thou bear witness” be similar to “thou hast testified”? Remember, for it to be a CD construction we must have a contrast or distinction. Do you see one? Aren’t there two geographical places??
Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,
so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
When used appropriately, Common Denominator is so unobtrusive and conversational that your listeners will accept it naturally. It can also cast new light on an old passage. It’s that new light which brings inspiration and healing.
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