Business English

Business English 1
1

Muhammad Ihsan
muhammadihsan.batam@gmail.com
Based on Talbot, F, How to Write Effective Business English
Week 2 - Defining business English
Week 2 - Defining business English
A. ‘Standard’ and ‘variant’ English
 A particularly interesting fact is that there are more non-
native speakers of English than native English speakers. As I
write, the UK government estimates that more than 1 billion
people speak English, and projections indicate that by 2020
2 billion people worldwide will be learning or teaching
English. So we can see that English is certainly no longer
the preserve of the nation that gives the language its name.
It belongs to no single culture; instead it is something that
acts as a bridge across borders and cultures.
 All the English speakers may have different standard and
variant in any ways and different dialects when speaking the
language.
 Business communication is crucial to success.
 Week 2 - Defining business English

B. Defining Native and Non-native English

Speakers
 Native speakers can be defined as anyone who
speaks any variety of English as their first
language.
 Non-native Speakers learn English can be
categorized broadly as:
– English as an acquired language (EAL),
– English as a foreign language (EFL),
– English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), all of
which are self-explanatory, and
– English as a second language (ESL).
Week 2 - Defining business English

C. Common problems with English for global business

 As well as there being different varieties of English, there
are, in effect, sub-varieties directly caused by mixing
English with the language patterns of the native country.
Examples are Chinglish (Chinese-English), Manglish
(Malaysian-English) and Singlish (Singapore-English). The
same phenomenon can happen in any language mix.
 The varieties above may lead to out-and-out
mistranslations and although users may understand what
they mean, these can be unintelligible to the foreign
reader.
Week 2 - Defining business English

D. Define Business English Within Your Company

 Carry out some sort of survey to evaluate whether the terms
you are using really are understood by your target audience.
Terms that are understood in Western Europe may not have
the same currency in Asian markets and so on. Just because
English-sounding words and expressions have crept into your
company usage, this does not mean they are internationally
recognized.

 Then share your findings throughout your company, to gain

consensus on how to describe the business English you plan
to use. If you have just started your career, you can impress
your boss by doing this. You can make a difference, boost
your prospects and help your organization shine.
Week 2 - Defining business English
E. Your checklist for action
 Answer the following questions to help you decide what you
could do better:
– Do you communicate with a specific group of English users? Or are
you likely to be communicating worldwide?
– Do you identify and then use a single type of English every time you
write in English? Or do you need to vary it according to your target
audience each time?
– Do you set your computer spellcheck and grammar check to the
type(s) of English you use?
– If so, do you check that it does not default to US English spelling
(unless that is your preferred variety)?
– Do you regularly check that the words you use are understood by
your readers?
– When you do not understand a word, do you feel confident enough
to ask its meaning, in order both to understand it and give feedback
to the writer?
Week 2 - Defining business English

Assignment
Now, watch the video from the link below about Varieties of
English and do the followings:
1. Find what differences the speaker mentions on the video!

2. According to the speaker, which is the best?

3. What suggestions does the speaker give to you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvbEODnJVTc
Instructions:
Write your answer on a piece of paper and take photo on it.
Submit your answer in jpg or pdf file.