- •Table of contents
- •Introduction
- •Theme 1 communication
- •1. Communication Structure. How do people communicate?
- •2. Objectives of communication
- •3. Communication skills
- •4. Channels of communication
- •5. Barriers to Communication
- •6. Success in communication
- •Please engage brain before opening mouth
- •7. Basic forms of communication
- •Verbal Communication
- •8. Communication spheres of translators
- •Reader Theme 2. Intercultural communication
- •1. Culture of communication
- •2. Intercultural communication
- •3. Translators in Cross-Cultural Communication
- •4. Culture and entertainment
- •Theme 3
- •Verbal communication
- •1. Verbal Communication
- •Verbal languages
- •2. Culture of verbal communication
- •Verbal Etiquette
- •3. Semantic and social nature of language
- •Introductions
- •3. Verbal Activities
- •Theme 4 telephoning
- •Introduction. Nowadays, even with e-mail and the Internet, the telephone is still the most common means of communication in business. Telephone is very important in modern business operations.
- •Words are missed
- •Words are misheard
- •The message is misunderstood.
- •Reader. Theme 5. Non-verbal communication
- •4.1. Introduction
- •4.2. Classification of non-verbal communication
- •4.3. Intercultural differences in non-verbal communication
- •4.4. Visiting another country
- •4.5. Professional skills of translators
- •Theme 6 Applying for a job
- •1. Introduction
- •2. The application itself
- •If possible make a photocopy of the blank form before you start. Use this to make a rough copy and then you can be sure that the final version is laid out as neatly as possible.
- •3. Interview
- •4. Translator in a job interview
- •Information to bring to an interview:
- •5. Cross-cultural interviews
- •6. Job interviews in the usa compared with other cultures
- •Reader. Theme 7
- •Interpersonal communication at work
- •1. Interpersonal Communication
- •2. Interpersonal skills
- •3. Communication climate
- •4. Relations and Processes in Workplace
- •5. People in the Office Environment
- •Reader. Theme 8. Meetings
- •1. Introduction
- •2. Types of meetings
- •3. Meeting procedure
- •Place a watch or clock in a prominent position so you are able to keep an eye on the time.
- •4. Chairing meetings
- •5. Duties of members (attendees, participants) at a meeting
- •6. Teleconferencing
- •7. International meetings
- •8. Business etiquette of the translator
- •8. Vocabulary. Meetings
- •Writing an agenda
- •An example of formal minutes
- •Reader Theme 9. Negotiations
- •1. Introduction
- •2. Types of negotiations
- •3. Stages in negotiation
- •4. Cross-cultural negotiations
- •1. The basis of the relationship
- •2. Information at negotiations
- •3. Negotiation styles
- •5. Grammar of diplomacy in negotiations
- •10 Being open to negotiation. The -ing forms.
- •12. Verbs patterns with recommend / suggest /advise
- •Reader. Unit 10. Presentation
- •1. Public communication
- •2. Presentation
- •Translator and presentation
- •3. From the life of famous orators
- •4. Preparation to presentation
- •5. Delivering a presentation
- •6. Language.
- •6. Public Communication in different cultures
- •7. Presentation language
5. Grammar of diplomacy in negotiations
In business, the grammatical and lexical choices you make can have a powerful effect on the outcome of a meeting or negotiation. Generally, diplomatic language is less direct language, so each sentence or expression is usually longer than its more direct, less tactful equivalent.
Look at the following ways of making what you say in a negotiation more diplomatic:
1 Modals: would, could, may, might
This is a problem. > This would he a problem.
In the second example the speaker sounds less direct, but the basic message doesn't change. This would be a problem still means it is a problem! But it sounds better.
2 Modifiers: slight, a bit, rather, a few, etc. soften the impact of bad news.
There may be a delay. > There may be a slight delay.
3 Rephrased negatives 1: not very, totally, completely + positive adjective
We're unhappy with this arrangement. > We're not very happy with this arrangement.
I'm unconvinced. > I'm not totally convinced.
Using positive adjectives makes you sound more positive - even when you use them in the negative!
4 Rephrased negatives 2: unable, not able, not in a position to
We won't accept anything less. > We're not in a position to accept anything less.
Try to avoid using can't and won't. They make you sound powerless and obstructive.
5 Negative question forms. Negative question forms are incredibly powerful in negotiations. Questions sound more persuasive. Use them to make suggestions and give warnings.
Shouldn't we be working together on this?
Wouldn’t it be better to…?
6 Comparatives: -er, more, less. The use of comparatives makes what you say sound more negotiable.
We're looking for something cheap. > We're looking for something cheaper.
7 Introductory softeners: unfortunately, I'm afraid, to be honest, with respect, etc.
This doesn't meet our needs. > Unfortunately, this doesn't meet our needs.
You don't quite understand. > With respect, you don't quite understand.
These softeners warn that bad news is coming! They indicate that you are going to say something negative. This doesn’t change the content of your message, but makes it easier for others to accept.
8 Restrictive phrases: at the moment, at this stage, so far, etc.
That's our position. > That's our position at the moment.
Using a restrictive phrase does not exclude the possibility of future movement.
9 The passive sounds less like an accusation:
NOT: You promised us.., BUT: We were promised…
10 Being open to negotiation. The -ing forms.
We aimed to reach agreement today. > We were aiming to reach agreement by today.
We had hoped to see some movement on price. > We had been hoping to see some movement on price.
Using the Past Continuous keeps your options open – you were aiming to reach agreement and still are. The Past Perfect Continuous closes the door a little more – you've stopped hoping, but could be persuaded to hope again.
11 Negative adjectives like expensive are often avoided. Seem is common.
We don’t seem to agree.