Say What?

While English is the language most used in business communication (the total population of countries using English as either a first or a second language amounts to about 49 percent of the world's population), there are several forms and varieties of English used worldwide. Even between America and the U.K., one finds various differences in word usage, meanings, idioms, etc.

Many English words have various meanings. For example, there are 56 meanings alone for the verb "set" in Webster’s Third International Dictionary.

In addition, English has a significant ongoing expanding vocabulary, with more than 5,000 new words per year. These new items include a mix of slang, jargon and idioms from many different sources.

The result can be misinterpretation by those for whom English is a second language.

"World English" (also known as Global English or Common English) is the result of efforts to reduce the burden on non-native readers/listeners by applying a set of writing and editing principles to create a simplified, highly intelligible international dialect. More simply, it’s an international standard for English usage that reaches toward cultural neutrality.

There are four principles of World English:

1. Eliminate slang and jargon. Think of all the business terms we use regularly: "cash-effective," "close the loop," "push back," "comfort zone," "core competency," "win-win." While we may know what those terms mean, your message might be lost on non-native speakers.

2. Avoid ambiguity. Be sensitive to words with multiple meanings or a wide range of meanings, and choose another word with a narrower range of meaning.

3. Eliminate words that contain hidden metaphors and other figurative speech. For example, "a deeper look at" can be changed to "greater attention to."

4. Eliminate idioms, or phrases that must be understood as a whole but the elements of which provide little or no clues as to the meaning. Examples: "Don’t shoot yourself in the foot" translates more clearly to "Don’t unintentionally harm yourself"; "He is licking his chops" can be reworked to "He is clearly gloating"; "Employers often lump in benefits with salary" can be changed to "Employers often combine benefits with salary."

When doing business with a non-native speaker, try to cultivate a higher level of sensitivity to the use of certain language in your communications. Put yourself in the place of the non-native speaker, and think about the hidden meanings and ambiguities to have better clarity and precision in your communications around the world.


Sources:
AskOxford.com
CW Bulletin
Wikipedia