On the Englishes used in written business communications across cultures: Can readers tell the difference? And does it matter?

Autor/in	Frank, Jane
Titel	On the Englishes used in written business communications across cultures: Can readers tell the difference? And does it matter?
Quelle	(1988), 21 S.Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	Mikroform; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Kultur; Fragebogen; Pilotstudie; Interkulturelle Kommunikation; Handelssprache; Kontext; Native Speaker; Sprachverhalten; Stil; Varietät; Fremdsprachenunterricht; Englisch; Leseverstehen; Schriftsprache; Wirtschaft; Analyse; Kontrastierung
Abstract	A pilot study investigated the varieties of English used in two commercial contexts and the success of speakers from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds in transmitting intended information to listeners from other native language backgrounds. A questionnaire was administered to both native speakers of English (NS) and non-native speakers (NNS) of English to determine: (1) their ability to differentiate NS- and NNS-originated texts and to identify the author's intent, and (2) their familiarity with advertising contexts and/or non-native varieties and how that familiarity affected understanding of the content. Both NS and NNS were equally able to identify NS-originated texts, but NS were more sensitive to NNS-originated texts. NS readers were better able to identify promotional correspondence, while NNS readers evaluated sales offers less positively than business communications, regardless of the text's origin. Results suggest that readers' ability to distinguish NS- and NNS-originated texts may influence receptivity to cross-cultural promotional campaigns communicated in English. It is concluded that it may not be differences, but attitudes toward those differences, that help determine the acceptance and effect of varieties of English used in cross-cultural contexts.
Erfasst von	Informationszentrum für Fremdsprachenforschung, Marburg
Update	1996_(CD)