Russian What problems need to be corrected in his English speech

This text wants to publish without changes. It's about how we underestimate cultural differences trying to speak English. Highly recommended!

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The subject of this article is an attempt to systematize the cultural differences, and common mistakes that we admit to our foreign colleagues. Most of the examples taken from the book of Russian problems in the English language. I took the liberty of a small promotion of the topic, comments and supply their own examples.

1. I'm right and you're not

The concept of "right" - "properly" brought a lot of trouble to representatives of the USSR in the international arena. The use of these words by Soviet diplomats almost every step was a constant source of irritation among Western diplomats and an obstacle to the achievement of many agreements. American linguist Edward Glenn gave a great philosophical explanation for this phenomenon:

"The Soviet diplomats often describe the position of the interlocutor as an" incorrect "- wrong. At the same time they do not accuse their opponents of falsifying the facts, but just keep in mind the wrong interpretation of these facts. This approach is understandable only in the context of the Hegelian-Marxist thinking, which assumes that historical developments are defined in advance in a known manner. Therefore, any approach that does not match history, equally not true; it is as wrong as it is wrong to solve mathematical problems. And our ideas, in contrast, typically support a compromise... the idea that every issue has two sides, it is difficult perceived by those who are not familiar with this concept and its impact "

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Deep conviction that "each in its own right" and that "all the ideas and values ​​are relative," the fear undeservedly offend his interlocutor sometimes create in Russian idea of ​​Americans as mumbling and mattresses. In Russian, the word "compromise" has many meanings; it may mean giving up some of the provisions advocated by the two parties to the conflict, and the adoption of mutually acceptable concessions. But it also means giving up the fundamental principles, which gives the word a negative connotation. English compromise is completely devoid of the second value - a departure from the "right" way. In the English language, adopted in the US, Compromise always has a positive meaning.

I have made this point in the first place, because I think that it is not enough and many commentators habrahabr this point we need to learn. If the English-speaking forum, we see the expression you're wrong, with the big share of probability it will be a native of the former Soviet Union.

2. Using the vernacular

A recent graduate of the Moscow language high school, she wanted to show his wife that their culture is well developed and has become a trump expressions from the vocabulary of the people on the street, on buses and restaurants. Instead, I'm going to say it I gonna, but instead I want to - I wanna, that her husband's ears sounded very vulgar and rude. Listening to these daily is not graceful phrase, he eventually was forced to tell his wife that her personality and way of speaking did not tally with each other.

we often try to trump knowledge and paste in conversations: Yap, nope, yeah, man, I'm good. It seems to me to pass on familiarity communication possible only after the source will show some familiarity markers, for example: Wassup man?

3. Two-time account

Communication and mutual understanding among people largely depend on how they relate to the time and how it is expressed by lexical means. Constitutes an important area of ​​conscious human activity, it is the attitude and language means so much change from culture to culture, that sometimes become a cause of the serious misunderstandings which come with native Russian and English language. For example, they differ even in the semantics of such a simple expression as just a minute. Although in the Russian language, and English "minute" - a time unit, consisting of 60 seconds on the value and use just a minute does not coincide with the analogous Russian phrase "one minute".

How to explain such a mismatch - the question the answer to which was given to American culture expert Edward Hall, nominated two conceptions of time - and monochronal polykhronic. In monochronal culture of countries (USA, England, Germany and Scandinavia) while strictly regulate the behavior of people and at the same time the relationship between them. American, for example, is focusing all his attention on the challenge, solve it, and goes to the next. For him, the task is more important than relationships with people who have assisted him. He is committed to target dates, and appreciates the promptness not attach much importance to short-term relationship with the person who has signed a one-time deal, played a game of tennis and maybe never meet.

In other cultures (Russian, in many Mediterranean, Arab, Latin American and some Asian) time is often perceived Polychrono, that is, people's attention drawn simultaneously on several events: the man knows how to behave flexibly, making just three or four scheduled case. When in such countries is something planned, it gives priority to the friendly relations and not on schedule, and personal relationships may prevail over the interests of the case.

It is worth noting that the people of India are also the carriers polychronic culture. So what better to clarify what exactly you make an agreement Monday (from personal experience).

4. Modesty colors only Soviet man

... explaining your resume in an interview with the director, she told me about where to get an education on the conditions and underwater reefs of the work, but not even mentioned his leadership the school society English on exciting trips with the guys of the city, about their meetings with students of language schools and foreigners, whom she invited to the school, etc. I asked her friend why she maintained silence about all this. "I was uncomfortable - she said - at the first meeting and immediately show off."

In front of me, however, the question arose: how is it that an experienced teacher of English from Moscow and did not know if in the US employment excessive shyness did not accepted that there is someone who is energetic enough at its best (to present a positive self-image / engage in aggressive style presentation), look in the eyes of employers as someone who is not very interested in the job or does not have the required skills and qualifications. As they say in America, if you do not blow your own horn, no one will do it for you.

Legendary businessman Lee Iacocca said, it is always better to hire a person who is trying to bite off more than he can chew, than the one who tries to do less.

5. The request and appeal

In the Russian language there are many ways to politely request. This - the subjunctive with the particle "to" modal verbs, diminutive suffixes, as well as the Russian "magic word" polite "please". Desire or request often expressed by a negative constructions.

In English, these "magic" key words are please or thank you. They are absolutely necessary for any request to the next of kin, friend, boss, colleagues, subordinates and waiter, and because found in the English language more often than in Russian, where there is the subjunctive with a negation and other ways of expressing polite requests. But in English, these grammatical forms are much less common, or not used at all, and so the Americans and Russian unwittingly find themselves in a fun house. The first of them, speaking in Russian, often seem to be the carriers of the language of the country and prone to sarcasm, they now and then, to the point and not to the place of use "Paazhaala-Astana", instead of saying "please", "be kind" to use the issue of denial of "if you can", or limit upward intonation. In turn, Russian, when they say in English, ignore the word please, and that is the major reason why they are considered in America is bad mannered. The result - a paradoxical situation: the transition into the language of each other, the representatives of the two cultures are no longer sympathize with each other because of differences in their formulas of politeness. This phenomenon was noticed recently psychiatrist L. Chorekchyan:

"Russian, who live here, notice that the newly arrived as something not very kind, because for some reason they did not so often say" thank you "and "Please"... English please, and thank you for your empty words, because you do not speak and do not think in English and nothing, of course, it You do not feel "

Skill support any request word please, to be otvoden to automatism. Give me five bucks, please.

To apologize, I use the following expression:

Oops, sorry - clicked somewhere not there.
Sorry for the inconvenience - a standard excuse, if French is not right, it is better to apologize just in case.
We extremely apologize for the - upper scale apology. (Accidentally formatted hard disk of the customer)

6. Optimism, empathy and sympathy, regret and pity

The American mentality has long been a subject of attention of a large number of thinking people in the Old and New World. One of such people in the past 50 years has been quite influential Protestant activist - New York pastor Norman Vincent Peale book which is The Power of Positive Thinking ( «Power of Positive Thinking"), published in 1952, immediately became a bestseller, and her name - winged phrase. According to the author of this book, in the Americans with early childhood lies belief in the power of "positive thinking", implying optimism and positive attitude towards people. "Yes, there are in the life of a difficult situation, but in the end everything will work out, things will get better, formed "(or" ustakanilos "as sometimes joke in Russia) - that, in short, philosophical credo theorist positive thinking. People living in accordance with this credo in all must necessarily be accompanied by success - in relationships with friends and family, at work and leisure.

If after the interview, the employer will give you the heave, you have not "got the full understanding» (failure to achieve / reach / there was a lack of mutual understanding), and any mass discharge is called "optimization states» (rationalizing of the work force / downsizing). Especially this thoughtless cheerfulness spread in the real estate trade: in their language "cozy» (cozy) means "no place to turn» (a tight squeeze, a hole in the wall); and "picturesque countryside» (picturesque / lovely / quaint / rural location / neighborhood / community) - «or you reach on foot to a store" (NO stores in walking distance) »

Modern "positive thinking" American optimist never experienced such troubles that have fallen in the short term to the share of the Russian people, as revolutions, famine, Stalinist purges and Nazi occupation of a significant part of countries. For the failure of the US citizen - something short and transient: better luck next time ( «no luck today, luck tomorrow"). This applies to work and private life. You are fired, so what of it? Find another job - more interesting and lucrative. Divorced after a failed marriage - this is not a tragedy. Proverb says, a second marriage better than the first. In short, in America the loser (loser) does not cause such sympathy, as in Russia.

Citing his little son to the playground, American mother tells him: "Look, do not fall "," Careful, do not get dirty, "and let him go with a wish: Have fun (« Entertainment »!), You can do it! ( "Come on!")

Therefore, the same feeling you can get different comments, depending on the culture:
- You have a great product!
- Your product does not cause me the unpleasant feelings.

7. False friends

Problem. The words "problem" and the problem does not exactly correspond to each other in all the shades of meaning. In both languages ​​the word may mean a question or dilemma to solve. But in a certain context, this Russian "problem" takes on a different meaning, and then it is much more appropriate to issues or questions.

During trips to Russia Americans often hear from one or another Russian colleagues that they will together c them to discuss or solve "a number of issues," and then wonder why, in their view, no problems had. It turns out, wanted to propose to assemble to discuss what in fact is a number of issues in the agenda items day, and in English it is called: issues, questions, subjects, topics, agenda items, points, elements (for discussion). As for the word problem, it is for the English-speaking is an issue on which there are serious differences in the positions of the parties or that it will be difficult to solve. If such controversial or difficult questions asked, it is best not to frighten and warn the interlocutor is not about the "problems" (Problems), and to say: the list of items on our agenda / the subjects / topics for our discussion / talks / negotiations.

Ok. Unfortunately, many foreign visitors to the United States not only use, but sometimes abused OK. This happens when they want to express their approval or agreement on some issue, and mechanically put in OK too big "positive charge". As a result of this word so often used by foreigners, which in many cases has no meaning. As recently wrote an Italian journalist who has lived a year in America, his countrymen, barely getting off the airplane, fall asleep by a barrage of greeters OK, regardless of whether they agree with someone and you know, what is generally speech.

Although among Americans OK is not as popular as in other countries, the United States is probably the only place on the planet where the semantics of the word is not distorted. Here it is not a duty, despite the fact that a very conversational style. In business, formal atmosphere OK do not normally use. For example, in response to a request for the Chief: Could you please have this memorandum ready by 2:00 this afternoon? not recommended response: OK, sure, better to say: Yes, of course / Certainly / Will do. In an informal setting OK often it serves as a confirmation of already agreed arrangement: So we'll meet at 6:00 at John's place for drinks? - OK / Fine, see you later / then.

About ambiguity OK especially often forgotten Russian, believing that this word always means only the assertion - yes, all right, in the sense of "yes, I agree." But it is also important Did you understand ME? ( "Do you understand me?"), And lack of awareness of this leads to frequent oddities, one of whom happened to my friends from Russia. He was in the US, but had to leave Caracas. And to obtain a visa to Venezuela went into its consulate, located in a major American city. The consulate was closed. It's open from ten to twelve, OK? - "Open from ten to twelve, OK!», - said the guard. - No, that's not OK, I need a visa - «Nothing is OK. I need a visa, "- he said.

Not at all. One of the markers of soviet English school. As noted by the Native Speaker Our Jonathan:
guys, can I make a friendly suggestion?
please, please, please say something other than «not at all» when somebody says thanks... it makes no sense at all - say something like «not a problem» or «no problem». that's the big one - makes me cringe every time I see it sticks out like a sore thumb and not to sound like a dick, just offering some native speaker insight
«Not at all» would be a good response to somebody asking «do you mind if... ???»

Although I usually prefer to write «you're welcome!»