Page 90 - How to write effective business English your guide to excellent professional communication by Fiona Talbot

Writing globally? Or in multinational teams? 79

● ● the wrong meaning then continues to be communicated, which
can lead to all sorts of problems.

As an illustration, Indian English uses the expression ‘trial room’
which in UK or US English is ‘changing room’ or ‘fitting room’ or
‘dressing room’, where people try on clothes in a store before buy-
ing. In a multinational discussion forum on which expression to
use, participants were really interested in this Indian English ex-
pression. Many had assumed it must mean ‘courthouse’, which it
certainly didn’t. So if you’re uncertain of a meaning that might
sound familiar in English but isn’t what you would expect, don’t be
afraid to question this.
You see, you’ll also find scenarios where even native US English
or UK English speakers can be puzzled by different usage of an ap-
parently common word, such as ‘gas’. For both it relates to a state
of matter but in US English it also means ‘gasoline’ – a fuel that in
UK English is called ‘petrol’. It’s an instance, as in the previous
cases I’ve discussed, where you may find yourself ‘divided by a
common language’. That’s why, when in doubt, it’s professional to
check so you communicate effectively.
Do you work in or deal with multicultural teams? You’ll find
discussing what works and what doesn’t will bring you all much
closer together in designing effective communication.

These features can perplex readers too

The following can perplex both native English and non-NE writers
alike:

Idioms, clichés and nuances

Idioms are expressions that are peculiar to a language. Simply by
translating the words, non-natives may be completely unable to
work out their meanings. It’s true you can feel great mastering
some idioms in a foreign language. I feel I am ‘the bee’s knees’; I am