Language is the tool we use to connect and bond with each other. In international settings, we are required to agree on one language of communication. Although there is a general tendency of switching between languages when in highly international social settings, the Lingua Franca used in most speeches, conferences and meetings is English (ELF= English […]
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J’aime mon accent, et toi?
Ceci est un poème de Miguel Zamacoïs, romancier, auteur dramatique, poète et journaliste français. On parle toujours des accents, on juge les personnes selon leurs accents, mais nos accents sont plus que des mots prononcés d’une certaine manière, intonations “différentes”…: c’est notre invisible bagage, le parler de chez soi qu’on emporte en voyage. People talk […]
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Which English do you speak? British English or American English, or both?
This infographic shows what English learners struggle with when they learn one English and think that they are perfectly ready to speak and understand any English, only to find out that things are called differently in the US than in the UK. I personally would love to see an infographic that includes also the […]
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How to avoid misunderstandings in international settings
At the Families In Global Transition (FIGT) Conference 2017 in The Hague, I had the honor to hold a panel discussion with Ruth van Reken (co-founder of FIGT and co-author of Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds) and Rita Rosenback (author of Bringing up a Bilingual Child). The title of our panel was Finding […]
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How to avoid misunderstandings and 7 tips to speak International English
When a while ago, Angela Merkels’ “no” was misinterpreted by Theresa May in Brussels – and earlier by David Cameron when he asked Merkel to let the UK have a special deal to opt out of free movement of people while staying in the single market – the cultural difference was pointed out in a […]
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