Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1545518
14 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JULY 2026 By Suzette Strauss, Resident Filler words are those meaningless sounds, phrases or words used in speech to pause or connect ideas can oen be irritating and sometimes completely misinterpreted. Some of these words are categorized as "discourse markers," helping to structure the conversation or signal a shi in thought. "Okay" is one of these that can really be misunderstood. Previously, I lived in a small HOA, and our version of the DRC consisted of the Board President and Vice President. Similar rules applied. Sounds simple enough, that is unless you don't understand one's propensity to use discourse markers. Our next-door neighbors recently moved here from China and completely lacked understanding of HOAs and the English language, for the most part. So, when they were approached by a landscaper, they went to the Board President (Pres.) to tell him the plan this man had proposed. e Pres. said, "Okay, give me the details," to which they explained the plan, and he replied, "Okay, sounds good, go ahead and submit that." ey interpreted this conversation as, "Okay, go ahead." Aer completing their project, the Pres. noticed their changes. He became upset because he never received the required documentation. He followed protocol and sent them a Notice of Hearing before the BODs and of the $500 ne for non-compliance. Shocked and afraid, the wife came knocking on my door. She was clearly upset and asked if she could talk to me. I learned from her that this fear was escalated because, in China, such a letter mentioning a hearing could mean prison or worse. Aer assuring her that was not the case in this situation, she calmed down. en she told me the whole story, and asked me to represent her at the hearing, as allowed in the letter. When I asked if she had turned in her drawings prior to doing the work, she said she didn't understand. en she began to panic again, and with tears welling up in her eyes, she said, "He said, it's OKAY… why is it not OKAY?" And again, "Why did he say, OKAY?" at was my aha moment. I agreed to represent her. ankfully, at the hearing, the Pres. said, "okay" ve times as a ller word or discourse marker. I explained his use of "okay" and the ne was removed, subject to her providing a simple drawing, which I already had in hand. Case closed. Okay? Okay. Okay can also be misunderstood in texting as a single-word response, according to the millennials. For instance: • Okay. (with a period) really means a harsh okay. • Okay (without a period) is friendly and non-threatening. • OK (All caps) is shouting, as if angry or like saying "Whatever!" • Kk or KK is friendly and best when you're in a hurry. • K as a singular letter is somewhat rude (picture the texter rolling their eyes.) If you are one who tends to use ller words, I challenge you to try to limit or eliminate them. Kk Okay? Okay!