Reply to: Bob cannot understand Jean Claude

[MayContainNuts]

International calls are always difficult! I find the chinese the most difficult to understand!

[Sysman]

I can that as well. I definitely don't let on about it though.

That can be a useful tactic.

Not admitting that you understand Swiss German allows you to tune out during boring meetings and you have the perfect excuse to ask them to repeat the question or do a quick summary when someone addresses you directly.

[NotAllThere]

... It's three languages actually since I can understand Swiss German quite well.

I can that as well. I definitely don't let on about it though.

[d000hg]

Fantastic! I asked two developers on a project to talk to each other over the best way to do some design work. Our Belgian colleague has a strong accent and is the expert on what he does. Our offshore 'cheap' resource is supposed to be asking him questions and doing the leg work. But,

"Hi MF , I'm striving conversing with Jean Claude, my ear is not adept with his accent I think.

Can you please set the meeting among the three of us to help pls?

Kind regards,

Bob"

Communication issues. What communication issues?

Just tell them to communicate using email/IM. That's how I communicate with my foreign subs and they often have near-perfect written English.

What's with the font?

[Sysman]

Why didn't anyone tell me there was a communication problem

I attended a training course once where the trainer was French and some of the delegates were Ukrainian. They just couldn't understand each other - so I ended up translating English to English. Got a few beers out of it though, as they all appreciated the humour.

I used to translate from the broad Yorkshire spoken by an MD to normal English for a French customer. It was a good laugh and I got some top notch meals out of it.

Currently, I'm working with French and Germans, and frequently need to translate their English to each other. I do speak both languages myself, but I've not let on.

I've had that fun, but nowadays I do let on. It's three languages actually since I can understand Swiss German quite well.

[NotAllThere]

Why didn't anyone tell me there was a communication problem

I attended a training course once where the trainer was French and some of the delegates were Ukrainian. They just couldn't understand each other - so I ended up translating English to English. Got a few beers out of it though, as they all appreciated the humour.

Currently, I'm working with French and Germans, and frequently need to translate their English to each other. I do speak both languages myself, but I've not let on.

[Sysman]

I'm going to add the Saffer devloper into the call as well. Just for a laugh.

Not quite the confusion you are seeking. The Saffer will probably be able to understand Bob.

[TestMangler]

I'm going to add the Saffer devloper into the call as well. Just for a laugh.

Geez the ******' conf call number, ya bam, and ah'll dae aw the translation pish fur yeez.

[Durbs]

Plus a Heidi

Mmmmmm, Heidi's

[VectraMan]

More like the EU here. No Bobs, but some Luigis, Pedros and Pierres. Plus a Heidi (I'm not sure if she's Dutch, German or Swiss).

But it's the brummie PM we all struggle with the most.

[2BIT]

Can't you sit between them and when you speak to either just repeat exactly what was said, mimicking accent and mannerisms exactly. That or just translate as I have no idea what he just said to each.

that would be hilarious, proper borderline offensive but would love to witness that!

[Mich the Tester]

Can't you sit between them and when you speak to either just repeat exactly what was said, mimicking accent and mannerisms exactly. That or just translate as I have no idea what he just said to each.

NO!!!! STOP!!!! ACHTUNG!!!! Do not try to wobble your head side to side like an Indian. Assuming you are of European or African descent, your neck is not made for the sideways wobble and you will injure yourself!

[Arturo Bassick]

Can't you sit between them and when you speak to either just repeat exactly what was said, mimicking accent and mannerisms exactly. That or just translate as I have no idea what he just said to each.

[2BIT]

Make sure you use a lot of slang in the meeting.

Jean will understand you especially if he has watched any British comedies but Bob won't.

not sure that is helpful, I use slang purposely with landed resource so they learn the subtleties of the language

[Mich the Tester]

think Ryanair.

No thanks