Dos and Taboos of Using English Around The World - Softcover

Roger E. Axtell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471127353 ISBN 13: 9780471127352

Publisher: Wiley, 1998

Synopsis

Axtel is a former VP of Worldwide Marketing for the Parker Pen company who has spent 30 years living and traveling abroad.This book is aimed at anyone trying to be understood while speaking English with non-native speakers at home or abroad.Axtel also makes important distinctions between English speakers from different countries.The book features both amusing anecdotes and helpful advice.

About this title

From the Publisher

The New Yorker calls Roger Axtell ``the international Emily Post.'' His entertaining manual on American English is packed with helpful and witty information. Amusing anecdotes illustrate the confusion that ensues when certain English words and phrases are used outside their country of origin. Axtell provides simple rules and practical advice to avoid these mix-ups when dealing with people around the world, primarily in business situations. A reference glossary lists useful phrases and dangerous cognates (written phonetically) for Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese and Russian.

From the Back Cover

"Roger Axtell is the international Emily Post."-The New Yorker

English has become the global language-the dominant language used in international trade, science, technology, and travel. But for most Americans, the potential for linguistic misunderstanding, confusion, and embarrassment when using English with nonnative speakers is greater now than ever. In this essential guide, veteran international businessman and raconteur Roger E. Axtell shows you how to use English successfully in any business or social context-and how to avoid making embarrassing or misleading statements to people who are trying to understand you. Inside you'll find:
* Valuable rules for making yourself understood when communicating with people from other cultures
* Dozens of amusing anecdotes that illustrate the potential trials and pitfalls of using American English around the world
* The important differences between American English and the English spoken in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and South Africa
* Helpful advice on using interpreters and translators
* Special sections on communicating in English with speakers of other languages, including Japanese, German, French, and Italian
* Tips on telephone conversation and dangerous cognates

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471127353
• ISBN 13: 9780471127352
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224