----- Original Message -----
From: "Boris Liberman"
Subject: Re: English, American version
Thanks, Morris. This is fascinating analysis.
Here is my situation. I came as an engineer (think - Dilbert) along with
the project manager (mid-to-high management, also non-native speaker, but
probably more experienced in this specific kind of verbal kung-fu) and
worked with both my parallels (system operator and IT person of the
company we visited) and also lower-mid managers and some higher ranked
boss whose true rank I fail to comprehend. My lame excuse was that in fact
I was rather occupied all the time with the technical situation and simply
said what I meant - that I suggest that in order to solve the problem they
have they do this and don't do that. I indicated that they could do
otherwise, but that we would advise them to stick to our suggestion as we
think it is the optimal course of action at the moment. I specifically
indicated that this was a temporary measure for the duration of their more
important work. At then of this period (whose duration was given
explicitly) they could return to their normal procedures.
As to what others suggested - due to my accent, it is rather difficult for
me to both keep my speaking clear and understandable and also spice it
with intonation and intent.
In fact, if AnnSan, Cotty, Bob W, Mike Wilson or Jostein would chime in
here - it would be cool - they spoke to me in person. I also spoke on the
phone with Rob, Bill Robb and Bob S.
Surely next time I will be more deliberate about my wording. At least I
would try to use more neutral variations so as to at least remove any
possibility of imperativeness when talking to customers. In principle I
should lay in front of them a number of options and they should make their
choice how to proceed.
It is good to be a PDMLer even if one's native language is not English
:-).
Thanks a whole lot!
Boris
Good Lord.
A native Russian who now lives in Isreal doesn't speak English according to
some local idiom.
To top it off, yor are a bonafide pocket protector wearing computer geek.
I think it's wonderful that I can communicate with you at all.
William Robb
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