Communication: A Two-Way Process

Jean Meakin MA, PGCE

English Language Wing

Defence School of Languages

Defence Academy UK

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Outline• The Communication Problem• Clear English and Unclear English• A Two-Way Process

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DSL Survey

Q1. ‘Native speakers’ 13‘Foreigners’ 14

Q2. ‘Speed of speech’ 22 ‘Pronunciation/Accent’ 19

‘Vocabulary’ 7

Number of Foreign Students: 27

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11

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1

3

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Middle EastNorth & Central Africa

Eastern Europe

Far East

Afghanistan

South America

Mission Exploitation Exercise (MX)

Were you ever aware of Afghans who did not understand because the English native speakers did not speak plainly enough?

•‘Yes, it was a problem’ – 6 people

•‘No’ – 1 person

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Plain English Campaign

• ‘Fighting for crystal clear communication since 1979’

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6

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SLP Level 3Listening

• …. understand most formal and informal speech on practical, social and professional topics, including particular interests and special fields of competence;

• …. however, may not understand native speakers if they speak very rapidly or use slang, regionalisms or dialect

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SLP Level 3Speaking

• …. able to participate effectively in most formal and informal conversations on practical, social and professional topics;

• …. may not fully understand some cultural references, proverbs and allusions, as well as implications of nuances and idioms.

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• Slow down• Separate the words• Avoid slang and jargon• Be aware of accents and dialects• Say abbreviations slowly and then repeat

them• Use short sentences• Avoid negatives where feasible• Avoid low frequency idioms• Avoid little-known cultural references

Speaking Clearer English

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Vocabulary

• 170,000 words, phrases and examples

7,000 idioms

6,000 phrasal verbs

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take

12

take

in

out

off

back

up

on

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take

InUnderstand

DeceiveCare forIncludeWatch

Reduce in size

offRemove

FlyNot workSucceed

LeaveImitate back

CancelReturn

onFight

AcceptEmploy

outDestroyRemoveGo with

upStart

Fill / useDiscussShorten

Accept an offerStart a relationship

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A Two-Way Process

Non-Native Speakers Native Speakers

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16

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