mid-week Connect: 3/8/23 ~ Using slang - or not!
Greetings and Happy Midweek!
In a work related cultural moment this past week, I came across the use of what I would consider to be slang, and it caused me to pause because I didn’t understand what was being said. So - I thought this is a good topic to explore together today. It is part of the Skills Applications component of our PROACTive Learning Strategies, because you might gain a new skill (like learning a new word) BUT you need to apply that skill appropriately to effectively communicate cross culturally…and using slang in particular can be a tricky skill to navigate.*
The word came in an email asking about services being provided - the request was whether we had any “bandwidth”. Now, literally, I thought they were asking how our internet connection was. But that did not make sense in the context of the services we provide. So, I asked my supervisor, who incidentally is a generation younger than I am…
And she laughed and explained that the word in this context meant ‘did we have time to meet with them’. Huh?!
Wow…glad I asked.
And, aside from answering the inquiry appropriately, I see several broader cross-cultural Applications here:
One is to be on the lookout for slang, or any other terms or phrases being used in what appears to be a different way…you never know when you’ll come across one.
Next, don’t make assumptions based on your current knowledge or skills - especially if something seems a bit odd.
ASK someone else, and preferably someone with a different perspective than yours, who might be able to shed light on the situation.
And if you need input on this - I have some bandwidth these days to help out, so shoot me an email!
How about you ~ what is the most recent new slang you have come across and how did yu navigate it?
Share about that with a friend or note it here.
And check out the Global SKILLs LINKs below for more on slang - using it, or maybe not!
Thanks for being part of this Connect community.
Until next week,
Betsy
Global SKILLs LINKs
~ Related Connects for cross-cultural Skills Applications (scroll down to find the date)
8/12/20, bartering; 1/20/21 child’s play; 4/27/22 other worlds
Samples of slang from…
Britain: https://www.wordgenius.com/10-british-slang-terms-to-adopt-the-next-time-you-travel
China: https://www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/chinese-slang/
BUT beware!!
Using slang can be tricky even in your own culture, and especially when you try it out cross-culturally so here are some helpful tips: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/six-lessons-verbal-cross-cultural-communication-terry-brake/
Notes
* Through my business Global SKILLs and several partner subsidiaries I offer unique cross-cultural consulting and training including:
3 Dimensional Dynamics Model:
1st dimension = HOME ; 2nd dimension = HOST ; 3rd dimension = HARBOR)
PROACTive Learning Strategies: PRO = PROfile, PROcess, PROgram
ACT = Application (which we explored this week), Collaboration and Transformation
~ contact me for more information on this model and these strategies and how you might use them in your current programming: betsy.barbour@gmail.com
2023 ~ Celebrating 40+ years of working in
intercultural communications and global community building
“It takes a community to build a community”
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Please do not reproduce or share without my permission (betsy.barbour@gmail.com)