Using English to communicate with colleagues from other countries when one person or all concerned are not native speakers can be challenging. People’s language abilities are usually at different levels so the possibility of miscommunication is rather high. However, there are a few tips that can help when communicating in English.
First, avoid asking “yes” or “no” questions, such ones that begin with “Do you” or “Are you…” Instead, ask open-ended questions beginning with what, how, when, where or who. The reason is that using a question that requires only a “yes” or a “no” doesn’t really indicate that the person answering understands the question. The person may simply give the simple answer in order to avoid any embarrassment if English is not the native language. Also, by asking an open-ended question, you allow that person to express their idea more fully. The answer to this kind of question usually requires reasons and opinions.
Next, avoid using abbreviations, colloquialisms and slang. Although this is a shorthand way of speaking, it may confuse others and increase the time it takes to communicate an idea. Consider how you might typically say, “Does everyone understand me so far?” with native English speakers. You might generally say things like, “Is everyone on board?”, “Are you all following me?” or “Are we good?” There is a lot of cultural context in those phrases that a non-native English speaker might misunderstand. They may grasp the words but not the meaning, therefore try not to make use of such language.
You also may want to consider using simple vocabulary and avoid using unnecessarily complex vocabulary. Have you ever noticed how many times we use idioms and phrasal verbs (a verb + a preposition e.g. look after, measure up, get around) in our everyday speech. We use them quite a bit. The problem is they don’t translate well into other languages. There’s no real equivalent phrase so other words that don’t really convey the exact meaning have to be used. When you think about it, this level of vocabulary is generally in the final stages of the English language to be taught and learned, therefore try to avoid as much as possible using idioms and phrasal verbs when you know that your coworker is not quite at that level just yet. Imagine hearing “I´m up to my eyeballs in work” – this would be very confusing for them and they will probably assume they have misheard or misunderstood you.
Certain words and phrases are difficult to understand for non-native English speakers because these require context on cultural references. A few examples are “catch my drift,” “ride the tide,” and “touch base.” In North America, we all watch the same TV shows and movies and listen to the same world of music, in other words, we share the same pop culture. Any trending phrases and wording can be referenced in a conversation and we can generally get the sense of what is meant by it.
In addition, contractions may also be a source of confusion. Choose “I would have” over “I would’ve” and “as soon as possible” over “ASAP.” It may seem trivial, but these changes will help lessen the risk of ambiguity.
Also, remember to speak more slowly and use concise, shorter sentences both when speaking and writing. Remember to also limit your use of heavily bureaucratic, technical and legal jargon. Even native English speakers can’t follow if terms only used in a certain industry are spoken in a conversation.
You can also, make sure the chronological order is clear. English uses verb tense to indicate time. Not all languages do that. Some indicate time in other parts of the sentence. Depending on your co-worker’s mastery of English tenses, there could be misunderstanding of the sequence of events. A good way to be clear is to say “first…second…third…” If you are in a meeting with a group, write down the sequence in numerical order. Do not just rely on verb tenses. Make the order clear in other ways as well when you are in an international team.
Use direct grammar – English is particularly indirect, especially when we want to be polite, for example “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind discussing it later on?” The grammar in this question is confusing. It’s a question with no question word, it uses past tenses but it’s about now, and there’s a phrasal verb “later on”, which does not translate well word for word. You could simply say “Can we discuss it later please.
And finally, avoid double negatives (I don’t disagree with you) and negative questions (That’s not right, is it?). That is a sure way of losing your audience and confusing others.
As you strive to improve your English, remember to be discerning as to when to use the higher levels and when to simply keep it simple. Knowing when to use certain phrases and expressions is just as important and being able to use them. Etiquette is involved as well as cultural understanding. Be sure to learn from native English speakers so as to refine your English language skills and effectively communicate with your international colleagues!