intrcult

Slide1: 

Sana Reynolds ENGLISH IN INTERCULTURAL BUSINESS: The Issue of Slang

ISSUES AND CONCERNS: 

ISSUES AND CONCERNS Multiple definitions Staggering number of expressions Ephemeral life-cycle: generational vocational-professional

DEFINITIONS: 

DEFINITIONS An ever-changing set of colloquial words and phrases generally considered distinct from and socially lower than standard language Words or phrases used to establish social identity and cohesiveness: the jargon of a profession, class or group

MORE DEFINITIONS: 

MORE DEFINITIONS Words or expressions used very informally, especially in speech: regionalisms, colloquialisms, argot The language of groups who see themselves as distinct from the rest of society: the young, the alienated, members of a minority or ethnic group Overall “Satisfactory” All components:Management, Operations, Compliance and Asset Management rated “satisfactory”. Earnings component noted rated due to asset size.

STAGGERING NUMBERS : 

STAGGERING NUMBERS A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, Francis Grose (1785) – 260 pages Slang and its Analogues, Past and Present, John S. Farmer and William E. Henley (1904) – 2736 pages A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, Eric Partridge (1984) – 10 volumes

EPHEMERAL LIFE CYCLE: 

EPHEMERAL LIFE CYCLE 1972-1987 survey conducted by Oxford University Press and University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) showed less than 10% retention of slang terms - diligent American college students: grinds and grubs (1972), geeks and nerds (1987) students cut class in 70’s, blew off class in the 90’s

HOW SLANG ARISES …: 

HOW SLANG ARISES … Borrowing from another language, dialect or profession (déjà vu, black-belt lean status, coup de grace, snookered, slam-dunk, silo mentality, media culpa, legacy staff) Affixation (megatrends, megawork, fundage, coinage, e-commerce, legalese) Compounding (brain drain, data mining, snail mail, spin doctor, infomediary, value-added, think tank, acquirability, fatal model, consumercentricity, reverse engineering)

HOW SLANG ARISES …: 

HOW SLANG ARISES … Adding prepositions (blimp out, onsite, offsite, burnout, outsource, retasking, start-up, rollout, delist, downmarket) Using acronyms (CYA, OTL, VJ, GIGO, WOMBAT, IT, Y2K, 24-7) Verbing: using nouns as verbs (to impact, leverage, outsource, partner, green light, cost, benchmark, architect, calendar, team, interface, strategize, webify, contextualize)

WHY BE CONCERNED?: 

WHY BE CONCERNED? According to Trend Letter , Forecast, March 2002: English will be the premier language of global business by the end of the decade. 70 % of the population in developed countries already claim it as a second language…

OTHER REASONS FOR CONCERN... : 

OTHER REASONS FOR CONCERN... Slang makes us struggle to find meaning. It puts the responsibility for clarity on the audience’s shoulders – not the speaker’s or the writer’s. Slang can make a lousy idea look good. Slang is confusing to non-native communicators because they try to interpret each word literally.

BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY…: 

BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY… Slang is seldom taught in ESL classes Slang can cause misunderstanding

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES: 

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES Prefer simple, specific, concrete words Avoid words with multiple meanings high has 20 meanings; expensive 1 right has 27 meanings; accurate 1 Avoid slang, jargon, acronyms Use “real” verbs in a simple tense and active voice Avoid overlong sentences and paragraphs Use correct grammar Be formal and correct Be careful with jokes and humor Meet your listener/reader – adjust your tone and style

GUIDELINES, continued: 

GUIDELINES, continued Use “real” verbs in a simple tense and active voice Avoid overlong sentences and paragraphs Use correct grammar

GUIDELINES, continued: 

GUIDELINES, continued Be formal and correct Be careful with jokes and humor Meet your listener/reader – adjust your tone and style