Communities of practice – international issues
The gang at CPsquare are revisiting some guidelines they developed in 2003 for communities spanning time zones and countries. The original guidelines provide a great starting point for any global community of practice. I’ll keep you posted on the developments.
One of the suggestions which made me think was the advice to use more complex language because plain English can easily be misinterpreted by a non-English speaking community member.
‘Simple’ language in English is often more confusing for someone whose first language isn’t English. For example: extinguish (Latinated) is easier to understand than put out (‘simple’ English); investigate rather than look into; resist rather than hold out; reinforce rather than back up; cancel rather than call off; accomplish rather than bring off; complete rather than fill in.
Notice that in each example a more precise single word substitutes for two more general words. Perhaps the advice could also be, “reduce your words and be precise”.
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Good that you quoted simple as it doesn’t always mean what is implied. In the examples you’ve given, simple is behaving as a synonym for clear and precise. Just as people who are in another country often speak slowly instead of clearly to be understood.
I’ve even changed my own use of Australian English lately around the concept of ‘next’. It’s better to be precise and say I’ll call you Thursday 13th rather than next Thursday or even Thursday next week. The latter two are easily confused in Australia. ‘Next Saturday’ for example, will be either the 15th or the 22nd depending on who you are. For some ‘this Saturday’ is the 15th.
David