Nobody Understands You

Why words never arrive the way they left

You hear your words with your meaning attached. Everyone else just hears the words.

Coming as an ebook and a paperback, in English, Dutch and Spanish.

Cover of Nobody Understands You: on an Amsterdam bike lane, a woman talks excitedly to a man who cups his hand behind his ear.

You said it clearly. Something else arrived.

Nobody Understands You is about the space between what you mean and what the other person hears. At work, at home and in your own head. With real stories, backed by research, and the popular myths left out.

In this book you’ll discover

  • Why you always think you’re clearer than you are. Tap out a well-known song on the table and ask someone to guess it. You hear the whole orchestra in your head. They hear tapping.
  • Why things go wrong most often at home, with the people closest to you.
  • Why a word as small as “done” means four things to four people at one table, and the kindergarten question that brings the difference to light.
  • Why communication isn’t 93 percent nonverbal, and why we believe it anyway.
  • What a single word can do to your shoulders.
  • How half a language makes you a better listener than a whole one.
  • Why a machine that hears only your words can be the clearest mirror you have.

Who it’s for

For anyone who has ever thought, “But I said it so clearly.” At work, at the kitchen table or in a language you’re still learning. It isn’t a self-help book with step-by-step plans. It’s short chapters with real stories, backed by research.

How it was made

This book began as dozens of recordings, spoken on walks. They were transcribed and then turned into chapters with the help of artificial intelligence. Every sentence was read aloud and listened to. Every story was checked against its original source, and whatever failed that test isn’t in the book, or appears only as a warning. The sources are listed at the back, chapter by chapter.

At a glance

Languages
English (Nobody Understands You), Dutch (Niemand verstaat je), Spanish (Nadie te entiende)
Formats
ebook and paperback
Length
190 pages (paperback, English edition)
Structure
25 short chapters in six parts
Sources
documented chapter by chapter at the back of the book

Be the first to hear when it’s out

As soon as the book can be ordered, I’ll send you the link.

A question or a comment? Feel free to email me at [email protected]