Hebrew speakers of English (HSE) are likely to interpret a ‘message’ in English in a way that may differ from the original intent. This is understandable because, as I wrote previously, the style of interaction in Hebrew is direct and to the point.

So how can HSEs know whether they’ve got the message right or not? Here are some tips.

Many speakers of English as a first language (NSE) prefer not to be direct when making requests, giving instructions or making suggestions especially when communicating with someone they don’t know well.
So they will express themselves indirectly, often starting what they want to say by using words like:
PERHAPS YOU’D  ......................? MAYBE YOU’D LIKE TO..............................?
WHY DON’T YOU.........................? YOU MIGHT WANT TO ...............................  
So anytime you hear something that contains these words you can be pretty sure the meaning is “Just do it!”

If making a request or giving an instruction needs to be expressed indirectly, it’s even more difficult for NSEs to say directly “I want X and not Y”. In this case the key expression you need to listen for is:
IF IT’S OK WITH YOU, .............................  or   WE’D PREFER X to Y  
When you hear this at the beginning  of  a sentence, you should understand there’s no choice. You have to say “Yes” and you have to do Y. If you don’t, you risk losing the deal.

Another characteristic of NSE communicative style is to avoid giving negative evaluations.
So if a prospective customer tells you that your presentation was INTERESTING, that’s usually bad news.
You shouldn’t be holding your breath waiting to get an order.

And then there was this HSE who apologised for his poor English but when he got the response:
 “But your English is excellent”, actually thought he was pretty good after all.
 No one had explained that NSEs don’t like making negative comments to people they don’t know well.  

If you hear “We are LESS THAN HAPPY with this” or “This is LESS THAN we hoped for” translate it to mean
 “זה על הפנים”

Another way in which NSEs avoid giving negative evaluations is to use a positive adjective preceded by a negation. So when you hear  sentences like:
“They’re NOT VERY RELIABLE” translate this to mean “ עליהם אי אפשר לסמוך”
   or
“Monday ISN’T VERY CONVENIENT” translate this to mean:” לא מתאים בכלל”

And finally, if you hear an expression that begins with I’M AFRAID, don’t think you’re a frightening figure. Just remember that this is a language block which precedes any sort of negative message and is intended to soften it. e.g.

“I’M AFRAID she’s on vacation this week” / “I’M AFRAID we didn’t get that message” /
“I’M AFRAID we won’t be able to deliver that before next month”

Of course, all these expressions can be incorporated into  your own interactions in English.
Try saying “I’m afraid not” instead of just “No” when answering some enquiry. You’ll sound less abrupt (which of course you never intended to be in the first place) and as a result, more ‘polite’.

And as usual, the end of my post hints at the beginning of the next one.
Until next time, why don’t you think about what it means to be ‘polite’ when you speak English?
Lola