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 Context
and register
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appropriate choice of language, intonation, gesture and body
language is vital in everyday communication. Making the wrong
decision can lead to a breakdown in effective communication.
Read about the problems some people experienced when they
came to Britain. |
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Learners'
experiences
"When I first arrived in England, I went to a shop
in London and asked for a loaf of bread. I did this by
translating what I would say in my own language, which
was, 'Give me this'. The shopkeeper looked shocked and
said something in a harsh voice that I didn't understand.
I never did get that loaf of bread!"
Ayemin, Myanmar
"I
went up to this friendly looking woman at a party and
I introduced myself. Then I asked her, 'How much do you
earn?'. She didn't answer my question, but it's OK to
ask that question in my country."
Rodica Barbu, Romania
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Learning Style Check!
So
that you can make sure you are talking in an appropriate
register, ask yourself the following questions.
- Where
are you - in a bank, a friend's house or at work,
i.e a formal or an informal situation?
- A
group situation or a one-to-one discussion?
- What's
the topic of conversation - shopping or famine? -
death or the football results?
- Are
you having a social chat or making a presentation
at work?
- Are
you talking to your boss, a colleague, a friend or
a child?
- Is
your body language copied straight from your culture
or does it reflect what you have seen around you.
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Learn
it! - 3 tips
- Don't
translate straight from your language without knowing
the implications of what you are saying, e.g replying
'Of course' in response to a question can imply that you
thought the person asking the question was stupid not
to have realised this before.
- Don't
use the intonation of other languages, e.g a flat-sounding
intonation can make you sound bored, whereas an exaggerated
up-and-down intonation can make you sound insincere and
too enthusiastic.
- Body
language and actions which are acceptable in your country
are not necessarily so in the country you're visiting
notice, for example, how close people stand to each other,
and whether they look each other directly in the face.
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