Really Good Word Usage - No. 21: Do You Speak British or American
Posted: Friday, July 28, 2006
by Bill Moore
G.B. Shaw's famous quip that England and America are two countries separated by a common language seems to be as true today as ever. This becomes even more evident for people who have business connections (or connexion, if you prefer) in the UK.
If anything, the incredible speed of communication has exacerbate the potential for problems. Electronic messaging also eliminates the give-and-take of conversation provided by a phone call. We respond instantly to the written word without the opportunity to ask for clarification that often comes with live contact. With endless emails flying back and forth across the Pond, there's little time to consider the possibility that what you said and what I understood may not match.
It's not just that we spell differently. Few people would be confused by colour vs. color or cheque vs. check, or that there are different names for things. Most of us know that a lorry is a truck and braces are suspenders. And if we don't, we know we don't and ask for clarification. No, the problem can arise when the same word is understood differently at opposite ends of the communication.
Here's a not-unlikely scenario. Gail and Greg have been working on a proposal for a project important to them. One is in Regent's Park, and the other in Grand Rapids. Gail emails Greg: "Just got word. Our proposal will be tabled at the Board meeting today." Now, depending on which side of the Atlantic Greg is on, he'll understand the message totally differently from what Gail intended.
Why? Because, if Greg's in the U.S., he'll read that the proposal will be put aside for consideration at a later date. That's what tabled means in Grand Rapids. If, instead, he's in the UK, he'll be glad to hear that their proposal will be taken up by the Board and discussed. That's what tabled means in Regent's Park.
Here are a few more examples that might come up in a business communication.Message: We've got to build a larger depot.
The Yank wonders what the company's got to do with building railroad stations.
The Brit knows there’s a need for more space in the garage where the company's trams are stored and serviced.
Message: The negotiations would have gone better if the Chairman hadn't been totally pissed.
The Yank wonders what made the Chairman so mad.
The Brit wonders who let the Chairman get drunk before the meeting.
Message: All Divisions must work harder on the Asia market.
The Brit figures that's no problem because they've already got offices in Bombay and Islamabad.
The Yank is worried because of the stories he's heard about doing business in China even with their connections in Japan.
Message: Permission has been granted to block the entire pavement for the event.
To the Yank that means that they've got the whole street closed off.
To the Brit, they have only the space between the building and the edge of the street.
So, when your British counterpart asks in exasperation, “Don’t you know the Queen’s English?" Simply replay, “Of course she is," and try to understand what’s got his knickers in a knot.
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