BILC Conference Vilnius Study Group 1 Guidelines for native speakers to enhance communication with non-native speakers

Study Group 1. Tasking SG 1. was tasked -to develop guidelines for English native speakers during operations -to identify how to self-monitor language use and choices -to facilitate comprehension/interaction with non- native speakers

Study Group 1. Finding Be considerate Thank you for your attention!

Study Group 1. Concerns SG 1. was concerned about the: - target population of guidelines (officers, NCOs, enlisted, …) -context (operational?) -non-native speaker’s/receiving person’s characteristics: educational background, rank, first language, level -native speaker’s/communicating person’s characteristics: educational background, rank, regional dialect -NNS’s level (STANAG 2 and above?) -standard English ??? -awareness of communication breakdowns

Study Group 1. Guidelines SG 1.’s interpretation of guidelines = to provide concise, common sense reminders to raise NSs’ awareness of how to enhance communication and to avoid or repair breakdowns with a STANAG level 2 or above NNS receiver = to give short, common sense tips to help NSs to improve communication and to avoid or repair breakdowns with a STANAG level 2 or above NNS

Study Group 1. Tips 1.Communication-related issues 2.Language-related issues 3.Context-related issues

Study Group 1. Communication-related tips Know your audience Be sensitive to your audience - Be empathetic, open, patient, considerate - Establish trust with the listener - Make yourself accessible - Encourage a positive atmosphere Avoid irony, humour, sarcasm, cynicism Be culturally aware Don't assume that you're understood Use concept checking questions Keep your topic focused (avoid digressions) Use gestures and body language

Study Group 1. Language-related tips – 1. Choose high-frequency, short-syllable words Use clear, short sentences (avoid complex sentence structure) Pay attention to sentence stress Control/Reduce use of phrasal verbs, use single- verb phrases Use active voice, not passive (tenses) Avoid contractions, weak forms

Study Group 1. Language-related tips – 2. Avoid regionalisms, colloquialisms/slang and idioms Use plain English expressions Stay in the concrete: - avoid implied meaning - avoid padding - avoid semantic ambiguity Restate at a slower pace, next reword

Study Group 1. Context-related tips Understand whether the conversation context is general or specific Take into consideration environmental factors

Study Group 1. „Communicate to express, not to impress.”

With the cooperation of colleagues from: Australia Bosnia and Herzegovina Canada Denmark Estonia Georgia Italy Lithuania Portugal Spain Sweden United Arab Emirates Thank you!