Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Essentials of
Business
Communication 11e
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Essentials of Business Communication, 11E © 2019, 2016 Cengage Learning, Inc.
Mary Ellen Guffey WCN: 02-300
Dana Loewy Unless otherwise noted, all content is © Cengage.
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Essentials of Business Communication 11e
Cordially,
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What Is MindTap?
iv What Is MindTap?
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Brief Contents
Appendixes
A Document Format Guide A-1
B Documentation Formats B-1
C Correction Symbols and Proofreading Marks C-1
D Grammar/Mechanics Handbook D-1
End Matter
Notes N-1
Index I-1
Brief Contents v
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Contents
kined/Shutterstock.com
in the Digital Age
1 Succeeding in the Social and Mobile
Workplace 2
1-1 Mastering the Tools for Success in the Summary of Learning Outcomes 23
Twenty-First-Century Workplace 2 Chapter Review 25
1-2 Developing Listening Skills 10 Critical Thinking 26
1-3 Learning Nonverbal Communication Activities and Cases 26
Skills 12 Grammar/Mechanics Checkup 1 31
1-4 Recognizing How Culture Influences Editing Challenge 1 32
Communication 15 Communication Workshop 33
1-5 Becoming Interculturally Proficient 20
SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock.com
the Information Age
2 Planning Business Messages 36
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3-5 Drafting Well-Organized, Effective Writing Improvement Exercises 78
Paragraphs 74 Radical Rewrites 83
Grammar/Mechanics Checkup 3 84
Summary of Learning Outcomes 76 Editing Challenge 3 85
Chapter Review 77 Communication Workshop 86
Critical Thinking 78
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
5 Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media 114
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7 Negative Messages 186
9-1 Preparing Reports in the Digital Age 252 Critical Thinking 278
9-2 Report Formats and Heading Levels 256 Activities and Cases 278
9-3 Identifying the Problem, Defining Grammar/Mechanics Checkup 9 281
the Purpose, and Collecting Data 259 Editing Challenge 9 283
9-4 Preparing Short Informational Reports 262 Communication Workshop 284
9-5 Preparing Short Analytical Reports 268
viii Contents
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10 Proposals and Formal Reports 285
LuckyImages/Shutterstock.com
Meetings, and Speaking
Skills
Contents ix
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Unit 6 Employment
Appendixes
Appendix A Document Format Guide A-1
Appendix B Documentation Formats B-1
Appendix C Correction Symbols and Proofreading Marks C-1
Appendix D Grammar/Mechanics Handbook D-1
End Matter
Notes N-1
Index I-1
x Contents
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Are You Job-Ready?
Employers today often complain that many new graduates are simply not job-ready.
As a matter of fact, writing, communication, and other so-called soft skills consistently
rank high on recruiters’ wish lists. Most students realize this and chose this class to
develop these necessary workplace skills as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Essentials of Business Communication is the tool to make this happen.
This time-honored, tried-and-true text will guide you in developing the job-readiness
you need for the twenty-first century. Essentials highlights best practices and strate-
gies backed by leading-edge research to help you develop professionalism, expert writ-
ing techniques, workplace digital savvy, and the latest job-search and résumé-building
skills.
Yes, you must be literate in all current communication technologies. The good
news is that Essentials effectively addresses best practices for social media as well
as for mobile technology. You will learn how to build credibility online as well as
offline, and understand that writing is central to business success, regardless of the
communication channel. It is a foundational skill. Employers want good writers and
communicators. This is why Essentials continues to provide grammar exercises and
documents for editing and grammar practice that our competitors have abandoned.
You need a diversity of skills beyond tech savvy alone—now more than ever!
Guided by traditional rigor, Essentials of Business Communication addresses
both contemporary student needs as well as those of instructors.
Perfecting Professionalism “I picked this text with its excellent resources for our new Business
The Eleventh Edition emphasizes positive work- Communication class that was added as a core class in the College of
place behavior and clearly demonstrates the Business. All instructors who teach that class use this text. This is the only
course in the university that emphasizes professionalism.”
importance of professionalism. Today’s busi-
Dr. Mary Kiker, Auburn University, Montgomery
nesses desire workers who exhibit strong com-
munication skills and project positive attitudes.
Employers seek team members who can effec-
tively work together to deliver positive results that
ultimately boost profits and bolster the company’s image. Graduates who possess
these highly desirable soft skills excel in today’s challenging job market. In this edi-
tion you will discover how to perfect those traits most valued in today’s competitive,
mobile, and social workplace.
Unprofessional Professional
Uptalk, a singsong speech pattern, making
sentences sound like questions; like used as
Speech Recognizing that your credibility can be
seriously damaged by sounding uneducated,
a filler; go for said; slang; poor grammar and
profanity.
habits crude, or adolescent.
Sloppy messages with incomplete sentences, Messages with subjects, verbs, and punctuation,
misspelled words, exclamation points, IM slang, free from IM abbreviations; messages that are
and mindless chatter. E-mail addresses such as
partyanimal@gmail.com, snugglykitty@icloud.
E-mail concise and spelled correctly even when brief.
E-mail addresses that include a name or a
com, or hotmama@outlook.com. positive, businesslike expression.
Voice mail
An outgoing message with strident background An outgoing message that states your name or
music, weird sounds, or a joke message. phone number and provides instructions for
leaving a message.
tablets
fellow employees; raising your voice (cell yell); using your smart devices only for meeting-
forcing others to overhear your calls. related purposes.
Texting
Sending and receiving text messages during Sending appropriate business text messages
meetings, allowing texting to interrupt face-to- only when necessary (perhaps when a
face conversations, or texting when driving. cell phone call would disturb others).
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Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Developing Expert Writing Techniques for a
Digital Workplace
Abundant before-and-after documents with descriptive callouts create
a clear road map to perfecting the writing process. These documents
failures (we are no longer using and many mix-ups in the past), Brian revised his
demonstrate how to apply expert writing messagetechniques, as wellhow
to explain constructively asreporting
high- should be handled.
light the critical significance of the revision
Whenprocess.
writing messages that deliver instructions, be careful of tone. Today’s
managers and team leaders seek employee participation and cooperation. These goals
can’t be achieved, though, if the writer sounds like a dictator. Avoid making accusa-
tions and fixing blame. Rather, explain changes, give reasons, and suggest benefits to
the reader. Assume that employees want to contribute to the success of the organiza-
tion and to their own achievement. Notice in the Figure 6.4 revision that Brian tells
readers that they will save time and reduce mix-ups if they follow the new method.
Increasingly, consumers resort to telephone calls, they e-mail their claims, or—as
we have seen—they vent their peeves in online posts. Large companies can afford to
Emphasizing Grammar and Writing Fundamentals
employ social media specialists who monitor and respond to comments. However,
small and midsized businesses often have few options other than Google Alerts and
Throughout thelimited
their own text,forays
proven learning
into social features help you review and rebuild vital
networking.
basic grammar This is skills.
why in anIn ageevery
of digital communication,
chapter claims written as letters of Checkups system-
Grammar/Mechanics
complaint still play an important role even as they are being replaced by telephone
calls, e-mails, and social media posts. atically
Depending on review the fundamentals
the circumstances, letters more and are keyed
convincingly establish a record of what happened. Some business communicators
“I really love Essentials of Business Communication
opt for
for my students.
letters they canI’m
to an authoritative and streamlined
either attach to e-mail messages or fax. Regardless of the
Grammar/
always alarmed at how poor their grammar andchannel, skills are, andclaims use aMechanics
writingstraightforward direct approach. Handbook.
Claims that requireEditing
a per- Challenge and
suasive
skillsresponse are presented in Chapter 8.
this is one of the few books that addresses those effectively.” Radical Rewrite exercises also provide innu-
Shawnna Patterson, Chemeketa Community College, Salem Oregon
6-3a Stating a Clear Claim in merable opportunities for you to sharpen your
the Opening
When you, as a consumer, have a legitimate grammar, claim, you can punctuation,
expect a positive response spelling, capitalization,
from a company. Smart businesses want to hear from their customers. They know
that retaining a customer is far less costly andthan writing
recruiting askills new customer. by editing typical business
Open your claim with a compliment, documents.
a point of agreement, a statement of the
problem, a brief review of action you have taken to resolve the problem, or a clear
statement of the action you want. You
grammar/mechanics might
Checkup 4 expect a replacement, a refund, a new
order, credit to your account, correction of a billing error, free repairs, or cancella-
tion of an order. Whenand
Adjectives theAdverbs
remedy is obvious, state it immediately (Please correct an
erroneous double charge
Review Sections of 1.17
1.16 and $59 toGrammar/Mechanics
of the my credit card forThen
Handbook. Laplink migration
select the correct software.
form to complete each of the
following statements. Record the appropriate G/M section and letter to illustrate the principle involved. When you finish,
I accidentallycompare
clicked the Submit
your responses with those button twice).
provided at the bottom of the page. If your answers differ, study carefully the principles
shown in parentheses.
Chapter 6: Positive and Neutral Messages 159
b (1.17e)
ExamplE Surprisingly, most of the (a) twenty year old, (b) twenty-year-old equipment is
still working.
1. The newly opened restaurant offered many (a) tried and true, (b) tried-and-true menu items.
2. Although purchased twenty years ago, the equipment still looked (a) brightly, (b) bright.
3. The committee sought a (a) cost-effective, (b) cost effective solution to the continuing problem.
4. How is the Shazam app able to process a song so (a) quick, (b) quickly?
86494_ch06_hr_150-185.indd 159 9/5/17 7:51 PM
5. Of the two plans, which is (a) more, (b) most comprehensive?
6. Employees may submit only (a) work-related, (b) work related expenses to be reimbursed.
7. Amy and Marusia said that they’re planning to open (a) there, (b) their own business next year.
8. Haven’t you ever made a (a) spur of the moment, (b) spur-of-the-moment decision?
9. Not all decisions that are made on the (a) spur of the moment, (b) spur-of-the-moment turn out
badly.
10. The committee offered a (a) well-thought-out, (b) well thought out plan to revamp online
registration.
11. You must complete a (a) change of address, (b) change-of-address form when you move.
12. Employment figures may get (a) worse, (b) worst before they get better.
13. I could be more efficient if my printer were (a) more nearer, (b) nearer my computer.
14. Naturally, our team members felt (a) bad, (b) badly when our project was canceled.
15. The truck’s engine is certainly running (a) smooth, (b) smoothly after its tune-up.
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Learning Workplace Best Practices
Most students arrive in the classroom with some work Getting Started Replying Observing Etiquette Closing Effectively
experience and technology skills, but many are not aware of • Don’t write in another • Scan all e-mails, especially • Obtain approval before • End with due dates, next
channel—such as IM, those from the same forwarding. steps to be taken, or a
what businesses expect of them when they use digital tools. social media, or a phone
call—might work better.
person. Answer within 24
hours or say when you will.
• Soften the tone by including
a friendly opening and
friendly remark.
• Add your full contact
the professional use of e-mail, texting, instant messaging, • Write compelling subject
lines, possibly with
names and dates:
below yours.
• Practice down-editing;
include only the parts from
and tone of voice, humor
can be misunderstood.
• Avoid writing in all caps,
Proofread for typos or
unwanted auto-corrections.
• Double-check before hitting
blogging, and social media. You will master best practices Jake: Can You Present at
January 10 Staff Meeting?
the incoming e-mail
to which you are
which is like SHOUTING. Send.
responding.
that clearly demonstrate how to avoid damaging your • Start with the main idea.
• Use headings and lists.
Don’t download free software and utilities to Be careful when blogging, tweeting, or posting on social
company machines. Employees can unwittingly networking sites. Unhappy about not receiving a tip, a Beverly
introduce viruses, phishing schemes, and other Hills waiter lost his job for tweeting disparaging remarks about
cyber bugs. an actress. Forgetting that his boss was his Facebook friend, a
British employee was fired after posting, “OMG, I HATE MY
Don’t store your music and photos on a company JOB!” and calling his supervisor names.
machine (or server) and don’t watch streaming
videos. Capturing precious company bandwidth for Keep sensitive information private. Use privacy settings, but
personal use is a sure way to be shown the door. don’t trust the “private” areas on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and
other social networks.
Don’t share files, and avoid file-sharing services.
Clarify whether you may use Google Docs and other Avoid pornography, sexually explicit jokes, or inappropriate
services that offer optional file sharing. Stay away from screen savers. Anything that might poison the work
distributors or pirated files such as LimeWare. environment is a harassment risk and, therefore, prohibited.
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Establish your credibility. Consider the reach and permanence of posts. Writing Online Reviews and Complaints
• Zero in on your objective and make your comment • Know that your review may be posted indefinitely,
as concise as possible.
• Focus only on the facts and be able to support
even if you change your mind and modify a post later.
• Be open; even anonymous comments can be tracked
Social media posts have a way of ending up in the wrong
them. down. Privacy policies do not protect writers from
subpoenas. hands, making vicious complainers seem irrational. In this
edition you learn to write well-considered private social
Check posting rules. Accept offers to help.
media messages as well as professional responses that
• Understand what’s allowed by reading the terms • Reply if a business offers to help or discuss the
and conditions on the site. problem; update your original post as necessary. increase the credibility and reputation of employers.
• Keep your complaint clean, polite, and to the point.
Finding a Job in Today’s “I was blown away by the exceptional personal service from the author.
Challenging Job Market All of the Guffey supplementary materials are unbelievably helpful. This
is one author who works hard to make me look good in my classes.”
One of the most important chapters in the book, Staci Groeschell, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia,
Washington
Chapter 13 updates you on the latest trends,
technologies, and practices affecting today’s job
search, résumés, and cover letters. Thorough revi-
sions will prepare you for a labor market that is
more competitive, more social, more mobile, and
more dependent on technology than ever before. Mobile technologies are on the rise.
You will learn how to network, employ current Candidates use apps to apply for jobs, and recruiters use mobile devices
technologies, build your own brand, and prepare to post jobs, contact candidates, and forward résumés to colleagues.
sending customized résumés that appeal to both Communication and interpersonal skills are in high demand.
ensure that you will have the finely honed writing the dust.
digital understanding for exceptional job success. boards, or publish them on their own Web pages.
▪ Identify your interests ▪ Search the open job market. ▪ Choose a résumé style. ▪ Submit a résumé,
and goals. ▪ Pursue the hidden job market. ▪ Organize your info concisely. application, or e-portfolio.
▪ Assess your qualifications. ▪ Cultivate your online presence. ▪ Tailor your résumé to each ▪ Undergo screening and
▪ Explore career ▪ Build your personal brand. position. hiring interviews.
opportunities. ▪ Network, network, network! ▪ Optimize for digital ▪ Accept an offer or reevaluate
technology. your progress.
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Developing Your Own Brand Using LinkedIn to Land a Job
BRA
ND
Branding You
MY
BR A
Y
ND
M
Create your
Courtesy of Linkedln
own tagline.
Briefly describe what Build a powerful
distinguishes you, such online presence.
as Talented at the Internet; Distribute a Prepare a strong LinkedIn
Working harder, smarter; business card. profile dictating what comes
Super student, super worker;
Love everything digital;
Include your name, tagline, and Prepare an up when people Google
Ready for a challenge;
an easy-to-remember e-mail elevator speech. your name. Consider adding
address. If you feel comfortable, Facebook and Twitter profile
Enthusiasm plus fresh skills. In 60 seconds, you need to be able pages. Be sure all sites promote
include a professional headshot
to describe who you are and what your brand positively.
photo. Distribute it at all
problems your skills can solve. Tweak
opportunities.
your speech for your audience, and
practice until it feels natural.
How to make
Why create a and publish it?
career e-portfolio? ▪ Use a portfolio or blog template.
▪ Design your own website.
▪ Demonstrate your technology skills.
▪ Host at a university or private site.
▪ Support and extend your résumé.
▪ Publish its URL in your résumé
▪ Present yourself in a lively format.
▪ Make data instantly accessible.
What goes in it? and elsewhere.
“One year I decided to try a business communication textbook from “I am astounded at the resources for the instructor. Last quarter, I had to
another publisher, but I immediately returned to the Guffey text this create the examples and documents for revision and business scenarios
year. The quality of the content and support resources for Essentials of for document creation. Thanks for allowing me to spend time on
Business Communication just can’t be matched.” planning and instruction rather than on creating quizzes, tests,
Laurie Johnson, Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan, worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations.”
Kansas Beverly Miller, Miller-Motte Technical College, Lynchburg, VA
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Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Appreciation for Support
No successful textbook reaches a No. 1 position without a great deal of help. We are exceedingly grateful to the
reviewers and other experts who contributed their pedagogic and academic expertise in shaping the many edi-
tions of Essentials of Business Communication.
We extend sincere thanks to outstanding professionals at Cengage Learning, including Erin Joyner, senior vice
president, Higher Education; Michael Schenk, vice president, Product Management; Heather Mooney, product
manager, Business Communication; John Rich, content development manager; Eric Wagner, marketing manager;
Bethany Bourgeois, senior art director; and Kim Kusnerak, senior content project manager. We are also grateful
to Crystal Bullen, DPS Associates, who ensured premier quality and excellent accuracy throughout the publishing
process. Our very special thanks go to Bethany Sexton, content developer, for her meticulous planning, project
management, and always-helpful assistance.
For their expertise in creating superior instructor and student support materials, our thanks go to Jane Flesher,
Chippewa Valley Technical College; Carol Hart, Columbus State Community College; Nicole Adams, University
of Dayton; Janet Mizrahi, University of California, Santa Barbara; Kathleen Bent, Cape Cod Community College;
Susan Schanne, Eastern Michigan University; and Thanakorn Kooptaporn, California State University, Fullerton.
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Lise H. Diez-Arguelles Susan E. Hall Karen Kendrick
Florida State University University of West Georgia Nashville State Community College
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Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Kenneth R. Mayer Susan Peterson Nicholas Spina
Cleveland State University Scottsdale Community College Central Connecticut State University
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About the Authors
Dr. Mary Ellen Guffey Dr. Dana Loewy
A dedicated professional, Dana Loewy taught
Mary Ellen Guffey has business communica-
taught business com- tion at California State
munication and busi- University, Fullerton for
ness English topics for nineteen years. Previ-
over thirty-five years. ously, she also worked as
She received a bachelor’s a composition instructor
degree, summa cum at various Los Angeles
Dana Loewy
laude, from Bowling area community colleges,
MaryEllen
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Copyright 2019 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
1
Business
Communication
in the Digital Age
Chapter 1
Succeeding in the
Social and Mobile
Workplace
kined/Shutterstock.com
Pla2na/Shutterstock.com
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Succeeding in the Social
and Mobile Workplace
Chapter
1
Learning Outcomes
After studying this chapter,
you should be able to do
the following:
2 Confront barriers to
effective listening, and start
building your listening skills.
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increasing numbers of workers must be available practically around the clock and
must respond quickly. Your communication skills will always be on display and will
determine your credibility.
Learning
Outcome
Describe how strong
1
This first chapter presents an overview of communication in business today. It communication skills will
addresses the contemporary workplace, listening skills, nonverbal communication, improve your career outlook,
strengthen your credibility,
the cultural dimensions of communication, and intercultural job skills. The remain-
and help you succeed in
der of the book is devoted to developing specific writing and speaking skills. today’s competitive digital
age marketplace.
1-1a Strong Communication Skills: Your Key to Success
Effective writing skills can be a stepping-stone to great job opportunities; poorly
developed writing skills, on the other hand, will derail a career. When competition is
fierce, superior communication skills will give you an edge over other job applicants.
In survey after survey, recruiters place communication high on their wish lists.1 In
one recent study, employers ranked writing and oral communication among the
five top attributes in job seekers, after teamwork and problem-solving skills.2 Your
ability to communicate is a powerful “career sifter.”3 Strong communication skills
will make you marketable even in a challenging economic climate.
Perhaps you are already working or will soon apply for your first job. How do your
skills measure up? The good news is that you can learn effective communication. This
textbook and this course can immediately improve your communication skills. Because
the skills you are learning will make a huge difference in your ability to find a job and “Communicating
to be promoted, this will be one of the most important courses you will ever take. clearly and effectively
has NEVER been more
1-1b The Digital Revolution: Why Communication Skills important than it is
Matter More Than Ever today. Whether it’s fair
or not, life-changing
Since information technology, mobile devices, and social media have transformed critical judgments
the workplace, people in today’s workforce communicate more, not less. Thanks to about you are being
technology, messages travel instantly to distant locations, reaching potentially huge made based solely on
audiences. Work team members can collaborate across vast distances. Moreover, your writing ability.”4
social media are playing an increasingly prominent role in business. In such a hyper-
Victor Urbach,
connected world, writing matters more than ever. Digital media require “much more management consultant
than the traditional literacy of yesterday,” and workers’ skills are always on display.5
As a result, employers seek employees with a broader range of skills and higher
levels of knowledge in their field than in the past; hiring standards are increas-
ing.6 Educators are discussing “essential fluencies”—twenty-first-century skills that Note: Small superscript
include analytical thinking, teamwork, and multimedia-savvy communication.7 Pew numbers in the text announce
Research found that 90 percent of the Americans polled consider communication the information sources. Full
No. 1 skill for a successful life.8 Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson concurs, citations are near the end
of the book. This edition
calling communication “the most important skill any leader can possess.”9 Further-
uses a modified American
more, jobs relying heavily on people skills such as communication are less likely to Psychological Association
be killed by automation and will offer the most opportunities in the future.10 (APA) reference format.
Skills Gap. Unfortunately, a great number of workers can’t deliver. More than half
of the respondents in an employer survey criticized applicants for their lack of com-
munication, interpersonal, and writing skills. Staffing company Adecco reported
that 44 percent of its respondents cited a similar skills gap.11 Recruiters agree that
regardless of the workplace media used, “the ability to communicate an idea, with
force and clarity” and with a unique voice is sorely needed.12 In a PayScale study,
44 percent of bosses felt new graduates lacked writing skills as well as critical-
thinking and problem-solving skills (60 percent).13
Communication and Employability. Not surprisingly, many job listings require
excellent oral and written communication skills. An analysis of 2.3 million LinkedIn
profiles revealed that oral and written communication skills were by a large margin
the top skill set sought, followed by organization, teamwork, and punctuality.14 In
Chapter 1: Succeeding in the Social and Mobile Workplace 3
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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
addition, as you will learn in later chapters, recruiters will closely examine your
online persona to learn about your communication skills and professionalism. Natu-
rally, they will not hire candidates who write poorly or post inappropriate content.15
Your reputation and personal credibility are vital assets you must guard.
Techies Write Too. Even in technical fields such as accounting and information
technology, you will need strong communication skills. A researcher suggests that
“The days of being able to plug away in isolation on a quantitative problem and
be paid well for it are increasingly over.”16 In an economy relying on innovation,
generating ideas isn’t enough; they must be communicated clearly, often in writing.17
A recruiter in the high-tech industry explains, “Communication is KEY. You can
have all the financial tools, but if you can’t communicate your point clearly, none
of it will matter.”18 A poll of nearly 600 employers showed that they are looking
for “communicators with a capital C,” people who offer superb speaking, writing,
listening, presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills.19
Writing Is in Your Future. Regardless of career choice, you will probably be send-
ing many digital messages, such as the e-mail shown in Figure 1.1. Because electronic
mail and other digital media have become important channels of communication
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in today’s workplace, all digital business messages must be clear, concise, and pro-
fessional. Notice that the message in Figure 1.1 is more businesslike and more pro-
fessional than the quick text or e-mail you might send socially. Learning to write
professional digital messages will be an important part of this course.
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Figure 1.2 Projecting Professionalism When You Communicate
Unprofessional Professional
Uptalk, a singsong speech pattern, making
sentences sound like questions; like used as
Speech Recognizing that your credibility can be
seriously damaged by sounding uneducated,
a filler; go for said; slang; poor grammar and
profanity.
habits crude, or adolescent.
Sloppy messages with incomplete sentences, Messages with subjects, verbs, and punctuation,
misspelled words, exclamation points, IM slang, free from IM abbreviations; messages that are
and mindless chatter. E-mail addresses such as
partyanimal@gmail.com, snugglykitty@icloud.
E-mail concise and spelled correctly even when brief.
E-mail addresses that include a name or a
com, or hotmama@outlook.com. positive, businesslike expression.
Voice mail
An outgoing message with strident background An outgoing message that states your name or
music, weird sounds, or a joke message. phone number and provides instructions for
leaving a message.
tablets
fellow employees; raising your voice (cell yell); using your smart devices only for meeting-
forcing others to overhear your calls. related purposes.
Texting
Sending and receiving text messages during Sending appropriate business text messages
meetings, allowing texting to interrupt face-to- only when necessary (perhaps when a
face conversations, or texting when driving. cell phone call would disturb others).
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Figure 1.3 The Education Bonus: Higher Income, Lower Unemployment
and sell products and services. Figure 1.4 illustrates many technologies you will
encounter in today’s workplace.
▪▪ Anytime, anywhere availability and nonterritorial offices. High-speed and wire-
less Internet access has freed millions of workers from nine-to-five jobs in brick-
and-mortar offices. Flexible working arrangements allow them to work at home
or on the road. Meet the work shifter, a telecommuter or teleworker who largely
remains outside the territorial office. The anytime, anywhere office the work
shifter needs requires only a smart mobile device and a wireless connection.28 If
the self-employed are factored in, teleworkers now represent almost 30 percent of
the U.S. working adult population.29 To save on office real estate, some industries
provide “nonterritorial” workspaces, or “hot desks.” The first to arrive gets the
best desk and the corner window.30 At the same time, 24/7 availability has blurred
the line between work and leisure, so that some workers are always on duty.
▪▪ Self-directed work groups and virtual teams. Teamwork has become a reality
in business. Many companies have created cross-functional teams to empower
employees and boost their involvement in decision making. You can expect to
collaborate with a team in gathering information, finding and sharing solu-
tions, implementing decisions, and managing conflict. You may even become
part of a virtual team whose members are in remote locations. Increasingly,
organizations are also forming ad hoc teams to solve particular problems. Such
project-based teams disband once they have accomplished their objectives.31
Moreover, parts of our future economy may rely on “free agents” who will be
hired on a project basis in what has been dubbed the gig economy, a far cry
from today’s full-time and relatively steady jobs.
▪▪ Flattened management hierarchies. To better compete and to reduce
expenses, businesses have for years been trimming layers of management.
This means that as a frontline employee, you will have fewer managers. You
will be making decisions and communicating them to customers, to fellow
employees, and to executives.
▪▪ Heightened global competition. Because many American companies continue
to move beyond domestic markets, you may be interacting with people from
many cultures. To be a successful business communicator, you will need to
learn about other cultures. You will also need to develop intercultural skills
including sensitivity, flexibility, patience, and tolerance.
▪▪ Renewed emphasis on ethics. Ethics is once again a hot topic in business. The
Great Recession of 2007–2009 was caused largely, some say, by greed and ethi-
cal lapses. With the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the U.S. government
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Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Voyant que le pouvoir réside entre les mains des Six Cents, et
non dans le Vice-Roi ou ailleurs, j’ai durant tout mon séjour
recherché l’ombre de ceux qui bavardent le plus et le plus
extravagamment. Ils mènent le vulgaire, et en reçoivent l’autorisation
de sa bonne volonté. C’est le désir de quelques-uns de ces hommes
— en fait, d’à peu près autant que ceux qui causèrent la pourriture
de l’armée britannique — que nos terres et peuples devraient
ressembler exactement à ceux des Anglais d’aujourd’hui même.
Puisse Dieu, le Contempteur de la Folie, nous en préserver ! Moi-
même, je passe parmi eux pour un phénomène, et de nous et des
nôtres ils ne savent rien, les uns m’appelant Hindou et d’autres
Radjpout, et usant à mon égard, par ignorance, de propos
d’esclaves et d’expressions de grand irrespect. Quelques-uns
d’entre eux sont bien nés, mais la plupart sont de basse naissance,
ont la peau rude, agitent leurs bras, parlent fort, manquent de
dignité, ont la bouche relâchée, le regard furtif, et comme je l’ai déjà
dit, se laissent mener par le vent d’une robe de femme.
Voici maintenant une histoire qui ne date que de deux jours. Il y
avait une société à un repas, et une femme à la voix perçante me
parla, en présence des hommes, des affaires de nos femmes. Son
ignorance faisait de chaque mot un outrage acéré. Me rappelant
cela, je me contins jusqu’au moment où elle en vint à édicter une
nouvelle loi pour la direction de nos zénanas [29] et de toutes celles
qui sont derrière les rideaux.
[29] Harems.
Alors moi : « As-tu jamais senti la vie frémir sous ton cœur ou
tenu un petit fils entre tes seins, ô très déshéritée ? » Là-dessus elle,
avec feu et l’œil hagard : « Non, car je suis une femme libre, et non
une bonne d’enfants. » Alors moi doucement : « Dieu te traitera avec
indulgence, ma sœur, car tu as eu une servitude plus pesante
qu’aucun esclave, et la moitié de la terre la plus abondante te reste
cachée. Les premiers dix ans de la vie d’un homme appartiennent à
sa mère, et du crépuscule à l’aurore la femme peut à coup sûr
commander à son mari. Est-ce une grande chose que de rester là
durant les heures de veille tandis que les hommes s’en vont au
dehors sans que tes mains les retiennent par la bride ? » Alors elle
s’étonna d’entendre un païen parler ainsi : c’est pourtant une femme
honorée parmi ces hommes et elle professe ouvertement n’avoir pas
de profession de foi dans la bouche. Lis ceci dans l’oreille du Rao
Sahib et demande-lui comment il en irait pour moi si je lui rapportais
une pareille femme pour son usage. Ce serait pis que cette fille
jaune du désert de Cutch qui, par simple divertissement, excitait les
filles à se battre, et qui souffleta le jeune prince sur la bouche. Te
souviens-tu ?
En vérité, la source principale du pouvoir est corrompue d’être
restée tranquille longtemps. Ces hommes et ces femmes voudraient
faire de l’Inde entière un gâteau de bouse et aspireraient à laisser
dessus la trace de leurs doigts. Et ils ont le pouvoir et la gestion des
finances, et c’est pourquoi je suis si détaillé dans ma description. Ils
ont autorité sur l’Inde entière. Ce dont ils parlent, ils n’y comprennent
rien, car l’âme d’un homme de basse naissance est limitée à son
champ et il ne saisit pas la liaison des affaires d’un pôle à l’autre. Ils
se vantent ouvertement que le Vice-Roi et les autres sont leurs
serviteurs. Quand les maîtres sont fous, que feront les serviteurs ?
Les uns prétendent que toute guerre est un péché, et la mort la
plus grande menace devant Dieu. D’autres déclarent avec le
Prophète qu’il est mal de boire, enseignement auquel leurs rues
apportent un évident témoignage ; et il en est d’autres,
particulièrement de basse naissance, qui estiment que toute
domination est perverse et la souveraineté de l’épée maudite. Ceux-
ci me firent des protestations, s’excusant pour ainsi dire que les
gens de leur race fussent en possession de l’Hindoustan, et
espérant qu’un jour ils en partiraient. Connaissant bien la race
d’hommes blancs qu’il y a dans nos frontières, j’aurais volontiers ri,
mais m’en abstins, me rappelant que ces discoureurs avaient du
pouvoir dans l’opération de compter les têtes. D’autres encore
déclament bien haut contre les impositions de la partie de
l’Hindoustan soumise à la loi du Sahib. A ceci j’acquiesce, me
rappelant la générosité annuelle du Rao Sahib lorsque les turbans
des soldats circulent parmi les blés flétris, et que les bracelets des
femmes vont chez le fondeur. Mais je ne suis pas un bon discoureur.
C’est là le devoir des gars du Bengale… ces ânes montagnards au
braiment oriental… Mahrattes de Pouna, et autres semblables.
Ceux-ci, se trouvant parmi des sots, se font passer pour des fils de
personnages, alors que, élevés par charité, ils sont les rejetons de
marchands de grains, de corroyeurs, de vendeurs de bouteilles et de
prêteurs d’argent, comme tu sais. Or, nous autres de Jagesur ne
devons rien, en dehors de l’amitié, aux Anglais qui nous ont conquis
par l’épée et, nous ayant conquis, nous laissent libres, assurant pour
toujours la succession du Rao Sahib. Mais ces gens de basse
naissance qui ont acquis leur savoir grâce à la générosité du
gouvernement, poussés par l’appât du gain se vêtent de costumes
anglais, abjurent la foi de leurs pères, répandent des bruits
contraires au gouvernement, et sont en conséquence très chers à
certains des Six Cents. J’ai entendu ce bétail parler en princes et en
meneurs de peuples, et j’ai ri, mais pas tout à fait.
Il arriva une fois que le fils de quelque marchand de grain, attiré
et parlant à la façon des Anglais, s’assit à table à côté de moi. A
chaque bouchée il commettait un parjure à l’encontre du sel qu’il
mangeait : hommes et femmes l’applaudissaient. Après avoir, par
d’habiles travestissements, glorifié l’oppression et inventé des griefs
inédits, tout en reniant ses dieux à ventre en tonneau, il demanda au
nom de son peuple le gouvernement de tout notre pays et, se
tournant vers moi, me posa la main sur l’épaule et dit : « Voici
quelqu’un qui est avec nous, bien qu’il professe une autre religion : il
confirmera mes paroles. » Cela il le proféra en anglais, et m’exhiba
pour ainsi dire à la société. Gardant une mine souriante, je lui
répondis dans notre langue à nous : « Retire ta main, homme sans
père, ou sinon la folie de ces gens ne te sauvera pas, et mon silence
ne sauvegardera pas ta réputation. Recule-toi, bétail. » Et dans leur
langage je repris : « Il dit vrai. Quand la faveur et la sagesse des
Anglais nous accordera une part encore un peu plus grande dans le
fardeau et la récompense, les Musulmans s’entendront avec les
Hindous. » Lui seul comprit ce qu’il y avait dans mon cœur. Je fus
généreux envers lui parce qu’il accomplissait nos vœux ; mais
souviens-toi que son père est un certain Durga Charan Laha, à
Calcutta. Pose ta main sur son épaule à lui, si jamais le hasard te
l’envoie. Il n’est pas bon que des vendeurs de bouteilles et des
commissaires-priseurs portent la main sur des fils de princes. Je me
promène parfois en public avec cet homme afin que tout ce monde
sache qu’Hindou et Musulman ne sont qu’un, mais quand nous
arrivons dans les rues moins fréquentées je lui ordonne de marcher
derrière moi, ce qui est pour lui un honneur suffisant.
Et pourquoi ai-je mangé de la poussière ?
Ainsi, mon frère, semble-t-il à mon cœur, qui s’est presque brisé
en assistant à ces choses. Les Bengalis et les gars élevés par
charité savent bien que le pouvoir de gouverner du Sahib ne lui vient
ni du Vice-Roi ni du chef de l’armée, mais des mains des Six Cents
de cette ville, et en particulier de ceux qui parlent le plus. Chaque
année donc ils s’adresseront de plus en plus à cette protection, et
agissant sur la chlorose de la terre, selon leur coutume invariable, ils
feront en sorte à la fin, grâce à l’intervention perpétuellement
inspirée aux Six Cents, que la main du gouvernement de l’Inde
deviendra inefficace, en sorte qu’aucune mesure ni ordre ne puisse
être exécuté jusqu’au bout sans clameur et objection de leur part ;
car tel est le plaisir des Anglais à cette heure. Ai-je excédé les
bornes du possible ? Non. Tu dois même avoir appris que l’un des
Six Cents, n’ayant ni savoir ni crainte ni respect devant les yeux, a
fait par jeu un nouveau plan écrit touchant le gouvernement du
Bengale et le montre ouvertement à tous, tel un roi qui lirait sa
proclamation de couronnement. Et cet homme, se mêlant des
affaires d’État, parle dans le Conseil pour un ramassis de
corroyeurs, de faiseurs de bottes et de harnais, et se vante
ouvertement de n’avoir pas de Dieu. Un ministre quelconque de
l’Impératrice, l’Impératrice elle-même, le Vice-Roi ou quelque autre,
ont-ils élevé la voix contre cet homme-cuir ? Son pouvoir n’est-il
donc pas à rechercher avec celui des autres qui pensent comme
lui ? Tu vas en juger.
Le télégraphe est le serviteur des Six Cents, et tous les sahibs de
l’Inde, sans en excepter un, sont les serviteurs du télégraphe.
Chaque année aussi, tu le sais, les gens élevés par charité vont tenir
ce qu’ils appellent leur Congrès, d’abord en un lieu puis en un autre,
excitant dans l’Hindoustan des bruits, conformément au bavardage
de la populace d’ici, et réclamant pour eux, à l’instar des Six Cents,
la direction des finances. Et ils feront retomber chaque détail et lettre
sur la tête des gouverneurs et des lieutenants-gouverneurs, et de
quiconque détient l’autorité, et la jetteront à grands cris aux pieds
des Six Cents d’ici ; et certains de ces confondeurs de mots et les
femmes stériles acquiesceront à leurs demandes, et d’autres se
lasseront de les contredire. Ainsi une nouvelle confusion sera jetée
dans les conseils de l’Impératrice pendant même que l’île ici proche
est aidée et soutenue dans la guerre sourde dont j’ai parlé. Alors
chaque année, comme ils ont commencé à le faire, et comme nous
l’avons vu, les hommes de basse naissance des Six Cents désireux
d’honneurs s’embarqueront pour notre pays, et, y restant un peu de
temps, amasseront autour d’eux et feront les flatteurs devant les
gens élevés par charité, et ceux-ci en partant d’auprès d’eux ne
manqueront pas d’informer les paysans, et les guerriers pour qui il
n’est pas d’emploi, qu’il y a un changement proche, et qu’on vient à
leur secours d’au delà des mers. Cette rumeur ne s’amoindrira pas
en se répandant. Et, surtout, le Congrès n’étant pas sous l’œil des
Six Cents — lesquels, bien qu’ils fomentent la discorde et la mort,
affectent un grand respect de la loi qui n’est pas une loi — va, dans
sa marche oblique, débiter aux paysans des paroles troublantes,
parlant, comme il l’a déjà fait, de diminuer les impôts, et permettant
une nouvelle constitution. Cela est à notre avantage, mais la fleur du
danger réside dans la graine de celui-ci. Tu sais quel mal une
rumeur peut faire ; bien que dans l’Année Noire où toi et moi étions
jeunes, notre fidélité aux Anglais ait procuré du bénéfice au Jagesur
et élargi nos frontières, car le gouvernement nous a donné du
territoire des deux côtés. Du Congrès lui-même rien n’est à craindre
que dix miliciens ne pourraient écarter ; mais si ses paroles troublent
trop tôt les esprits de ceux qui attendent ou des princes dans
l’oisiveté, une flamme peut naître avant le temps, et comme il y a
maintenant beaucoup de mains blanches pour l’étouffer, tout
reviendra à son état premier. Si la flamme est tenue cachée, nous
n’avons rien à craindre, parce que, suant et pantelant, et l’un foulant
l’autre aux pieds, les blancs d’ici creusent leurs propres tombes. La
main du Vice-Roi sera liée, les cœurs des sahibs seront abattus, et
tous les yeux se tourneront vers l’Angleterre en dépit de tous les
ordres. Jusque-là, notant le compte sur la poignée de l’épée, jusqu’à
l’heure où l’on pourra régler par le fer, il est de votre rôle de
seconder les Bengalis et de leur montrer beaucoup de bon vouloir,
afin qu’ils puissent acquérir la direction des finances et les fonctions.
Il nous faut même écrire en Angleterre que nous sommes du même
sang que les gens d’école. L’attente ne sera pas longue ; non, par
ma tête, elle ne sera pas longue ! Ces gens-ci sont pareils au grand
roi Ferisht, lequel, rongé par les gales d’une longue oisiveté, arracha
sa couronne et dansa nu parmi les amas de bouse. Mais moi je n’ai
pas oublié le but profitable de ce conte. Le vizir le mit sur un cheval
et le conduisit à la bataille. Bientôt il recouvra la santé et il fit graver
sur sa couronne :
J’ai l’espoir qu’il restera dans notre pays quelques sahibs non
désireux de regagner l’Angleterre. Ceux-ci, nous devons les choyer
et les protéger, afin que leur adresse et leur ruse nous permette de
maintenir et de sauvegarder l’unité en temps de guerre. Les rois
hindous n’oseront jamais introduire un sahib au sein de leurs
conseils. Je répète que si nous de la Foi avons confiance en eux,
nous foulerons aux pieds nos ennemis.
Tout ceci est-il un songe pour toi, renard gris de la portée de ma
mère ? Je t’ai écrit ce que j’ai vu et entendu, mais de la même argile
deux hommes ne façonneront jamais assiettes semblables, pas plus
qu’ils ne tireront mêmes conclusions des mêmes faits. Une fois de
plus, il y a une chlorose sur tous les gens de ce pays. Dès à présent
ils mangent de la poussière pour satisfaire leurs envies. La
pondération et l’honneur ont abandonné leurs conseils, et le couteau
de la dissension a fait tomber sur leurs têtes la moustiquaire de la
confusion. L’Impératrice est vieille. On parle irrespectueusement
d’elle et des siens dans la rue. On méprise l’épée et on croit que la
langue et la plume dirigent tout. Leur ignorance et leur crédulité
dépassent en grandeur la sagesse de Salomon, fils de David. J’ai vu
toutes ces choses, moi qu’ils considèrent comme une bête sauvage
et un phénomène. Par Dieu Illuminateur de l’Intelligence, si les
sahibs de l’Inde pouvaient produire des fils qui vivent assez
longtemps pour fonder leurs maisons, j’irais presque jeter mon épée
aux pieds du Vice-Roi, en disant : « Combattons ici à nous deux pour
un royaume, le tien et le mien, sans nous soucier des cancans
d’outre-mer. Écris aux Anglais une lettre disant que nous les aimons,
mais que nous voulons nous séparer de leur camp et tout nettoyer
sous une nouvelle couronne. » Mais dans notre pays les sahibs
meurent à la troisième génération, et il se peut que je fasse des
rêves. Pas tout à fait cependant. Jusqu’à ce qu’un éclatant fléau
d’acier et de carnage, le poids des fardeaux, la crainte pour sa vie,
et la fureur brûlante de l’outrage — car la pestilence les
démoraliserait, si les yeux assez habitués aux hommes voient clair
— accable ce peuple, notre chemin est sûr. Ils sont malades. La
Source du Pouvoir est un ruisseau que tous peuvent souiller : et les
voix des hommes sont couvertes par les cris des mulets et les
hennissements des juments stériles. Si l’adversité les rend sages,
alors, mon frère, frappe avec et pour eux, et plus tard, quand toi et
moi serons morts, et que la maladie se développera de nouveau (les
jeunes hommes élevés à l’école de la crainte et du tremblement et
de la confusion des mots ont encore à vivre leur temps prescrit),
ceux qui ont combattu aux côtés des Anglais pourront demander et
recevoir ce qu’ils voudront. A présent efforce-toi en secret de
troubler, de retarder, d’éluder, et de rendre inefficace. Dans ces
choses six douzaines des Six Cents sont nos vrais alliés.
Maintenant la plume et l’encre et la main me défaillent à la fois,
comme te défailliront les yeux à cette lecture. Fais connaître à ceux
de ma maison que je reviendrai bientôt, mais laisse-leur ignorer
l’heure. Des lettres anonymes me sont parvenues concernant mon
honneur. L’honneur de ma maison est le tien. Si elles sont, comme je
le crois, l’œuvre d’un valet renvoyé, Futteh Lal, qui courait à la
queue de mon étalon katthiawar couleur lie de vin, son village est au
delà de Manglôt ; veille à ce que sa langue cesse de s’exercer sur
les noms de celles qui sont miennes. S’il en est autrement, mets une
garde sur ma maison jusqu’à mon retour, et veille spécialement à ce
que nuls vendeurs de joaillerie, astrologues ou entremetteurs n’aient
accès aux appartements des femmes. Nous nous élevons par nos
esclaves, et par nos esclaves nous tombons, comme il est dit. A tous
ceux qui sont de ma connaissance j’apporte des présents selon
qu’ils en sont dignes. J’ai parlé deux fois du présent que je voudrais
faire donner à Bahadur Shah.
La bénédiction de Dieu et de son Prophète soit sur toi et les tiens
jusqu’à la fin qui est prescrite. Donne-moi aussi du bonheur en
m’informant de l’état de ta santé. Je mets ma tête aux pieds du Rao
Sahib ; mon épée est à son côté gauche, un peu plus haut que mon
cœur.
Suit mon sceau.
JUDSON ET L’EMPIRE
Dobson.