International Business English Can Be Feary
I really like working in an international business environment. Every day I work with people that are amazingly talented with languages. I'm sure about 90% percent of the people I am working with are conducting daily business in languages other than their native languages. As a result there are often times when you hear a phrase in 'International English' that is not quite right to a native speaker, but is understood. Often times these little phrases will induce a chuckle.
Here are 5 of my favorite international business English phrases.
- I remember you next Monday is a holiday so I can not make the meeting.
- Please precise the job description on the form.
- Would you like a window seat or an ale.
- That was so feary I almost screamed.
- I think he has a case of the pork influenza.
Do you have any good international business English phrases? Leave a comment.....
Labels: Language
posted by SwissMerica at 8:37 PM
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5 Comments:
From my supervisors and bosses in Korea:
"I think maybe possibly we cannot do that." (Translation: We can't do that.)
"Today you can take a rest." (Today you can stay home.)
"We are needing you in the classroom at 2pm."
12:03 AM
Kelsey, I really like the first one. From what I know of Asian cultures that seems to really hit on the fear of offending anybody and saving face.
Thanks for the additions.
7:30 AM
Yep. Koreans are, according to folks I know who have taught in Korea, Japan, and China, possibly the worst in Asia about the whole saving face thing. It worked out in my advantage though: because I rode a motorcycle to work, I could easily come into work 5 minutes late and not get in trouble. As long as I gave some sort of excuse, any excuse (I got stuck behind a tractor, my bike wouldn't start, I had to stop for gas), it was dismissed with a wave of the hand. In an attempt to save face for both parties, all they cared about was that I had a legitimate-sounding excuse, even if both parties knew it was untrue.
12:16 PM
"Let's take tea" instead of let's have tea. I like it so much that I'm beginning to say it myself! I'm not doing the locals any favors by saying this, however. :(
1:46 PM
She cannot yet translate this. Her German is yet too young.
10:02 PM
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