“Gimme a heads-up on the stuff”: Information about appropriate communication with non-native English speakers

Featured post by Terry Kaufman from Your English Solutions

Based on a true story….
 
One day, I was waiting to meet a new customer. I was in an office and I heard two people who were speaking in the corridor. One man was French and the second man was American. (The American was my new customer.)
 
The two men were finalizing a meeting. I listened to the Frenchman. He had a good English level. I think he had an advanced intermediate level. As they were finalizing their meeting in the corridor, the American terminated the conversation with one sentence:

“Gimme a heads-up on the stuff.”

It was interesting when the Frenchman responded, “I will see with my boss and ask him.”
 
I interpreted that response as a message that said, “I do not understand.”
 
My new customer, at the time, did not read that remark as an absence of comprehension. He shook his French colleague’s hand and went into his office.
 
“Gimme a heads-up on the stuff” = Tell me when you receive more information
 
When a native English speaker communicates with a non-native speaker, it is easy to:

• Use English that is appropriate for native English speakers, but not appropriate for non-native speakers
• Suppose that the non-native speaker understands everything because he or she speaks well
• Not comprehend responses or body language that non-native speakers use to show that there is no comprehension

I think we can say that the French colleague was not sure about the end of the conversation. What exactly did the American want? Numbers? Names? Information? What “stuff”?

When a native English speaker communicates with a non-native speaker, it is important to:

• Presume that non-native English speakers do not understand you
• Be clear and precise about the information you want to communicate
• Give the non-native speaker an opportunity to clarify information and ask questions
• Repeat the sentence the non-native speaker says to be sure you understand the message or idea
• Be conscious of the language you use

This is one example that represents a danger that exists when a non-native speaker experiences a similar situation. The message, “Gimme a heads-up on the stuff” is abstract and not clear. Non-native English speakers cannot interpret the message that exists in idiomatic expressions that are common among native English speakers. If you use English that is not appropriate for non-native speakers, you could create negative stereotypes.
 
Language barriers are difficult to manage. If strong negative stereotypes exist, it is challenging to cultivate productive relationships.
 
Of course, “Gimme a heads-up on the stuff” is one extreme example of complicated language that native English speakers use. Consider more usual expressions:

• “Let me know” = Tell/Inform me….
• “I look forward to….” = It will be a pleasure to….
• “Hold on” = Be patient/Wait

The language you use with non-native speakers will influence the relationship you have with them. The idea is not to simplify your language to speak “English for stupid people”. Speak at a level that is appropriate for the non-native speaker you communicate with.
 
Cultivate relationships…do not destroy them with inappropriate language.