8. Communication spheres of translators

Communication of translators covers two main spheres: Social and Organizational. Thus, translators participate in social and business talks (Social and Workplace situations).

• In the social sphere of communication translators communicate with other people, businesspersons and foreign partners, but they don’t solve any business problems. Social talk goes around different topics (personal, social, political, sporting) not relating to professional tasks. The atmosphere is relaxed; the talk is informal, not binding. Social talk can be held in pairs and in small groups.

Translator’s Social situations (Social talks): Socializing

Meeting people and seeing them off

• Small talk (Socializing in the intervals of meetings and other business events)

• Corporate parties

• Dining, Business lunch

• Visiting colleagues at home

• Sport events,

• Sightseeing

• Business trips

• Entertaining overseas VIPs and visitors (including family members).

• In the organizational sphere translators communicate with co-workers and business partners in the workplace. It is business communication, which includes all communication that occurs in a business context, in organizational settings. Business Communication is used in the workplace and focuses on the language and skills needed for typical business communication such as presentations, negotiations, meetings, correspondence, etc.

B usiness communication is verbal interaction of partners, which is realized in the written or spoken form within the official business style. The main goal of business communication is achieving of agreement, co-ordination, solving of certain professional tasks and problems. Business Communication is used to promote a product, service, or organisation – with the objective of making a sale. The business sphere is characterized by a clear role differentiation, by choice of subjects and problems to be discussed. The communication style is official, formal. People have a feeling of participation and responsibility for solving of problems.

Translator’s Workplace situations (Business talks). Translators work in different business environments and participate in business situations at work:

• Official visits

• Receiving delegations

• Receptions

• Meetings

• Academic seminars

• International conferences

• (International) negotiations

• Presentations

• Exhibitions and fairs

• Interviews

• Telephone (courtesy) calls

• Interpersonal communication with superiors, colleagues, business partners.

Reader Theme 2. Intercultural communication

1. Culture of communication

Culture is a system of symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and norms of behaviour that are shared and accepted by people in a particular society.

Cultural structure. Culture consists of four key elements that are “passed on from generation to generation”: 1) values; 2) norms; 3) institutions; 4) artifacts.

• Values comprise ideas about what in life seems important. The main cultural values are universal. They include respect to the elders, hospitality, honour etc. But at the same time people from different cultures may have different values and concepts of beliefs, ethics, time and space, etc.

• Norms consist of expectations of how people will behave in various situations. For example, norms of non-verbal behaviour specify that Kazakhs and Russians shake hands at meeting or parting, which is impossible for a Japanese, who bows at meeting. Norms of verbal behaviour call for special phrases in this situation (How do you do? Nice to see you again.)

• Institutions are the structures of a society within which values and norms are transmitted: social, religious, educational systems, etc.

• Artifacts are things or aspects of material culture, all the products of manufacture.

Culture of communication. The most ancient art in the human culture is the culture of communication. Culture of communication determines the verbal and non-verbal behaviour of people. Culture sets behaviour, etiquette, and protocol for situations in which people communicate. It also determines the right choice of lexical and grammatical means appropriate in communicative situations.

Behaviour is the way of acting or bearing (oneself) in a socially-acceptable or polite way. Etiquette is social norms of nonverbal and verbal behaviour accepted in a society. Etiquette is respect, good manners, and good behaviour. Stereotyped (typical) situations are called etiquette situations (meeting people at the airport, promotion, interview, diplomatic reception). To etiquette situations belong customs, traditions, and etc. Culture of verbal communication sets the ways of using language in such etiquette situations.

Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously. The most important thing to remember about professional etiquette is to be courteous and thoughtful to the people around you, regardless of the situation. Consider other people’s feelings, stick to your convictions as diplomatically as possible. Address conflict as situation-related, rather than person-related. Business professional cannot afford to be rude. Even if your faux pas was simply an honest mistake, the costs in lost businesses and damaged relationships can be terribly high. “I didn’t know” is unlikely to repair the damage occurred because of an unintentional breach of manners.