YOU may think your command of the English language is exceptional, but if you’re serious about advancing in the business world, you might want to think again. Unlike the generalised English that is used in day-to-day situations, Business English is a markedly different approach to communication.
What is Business English?
Simply put, Business English is a form of English that is almost exclusively used in professional contexts. It is the go-to communication framework for the commerce, banking and financial sectors. It’s also commonly used in international trade settings. Business English tends to be far more direct and precise than conversational English, with a distinct approach to grammar and a very specific vocabulary. Even those intimately familiar with the English language can struggle to wrap their heads around the specifics of Business English. If you’re a career-driven professional looking to excel in your chosen field, you should definitely investigate how a Business English course can help you realise your goals.
Key Characteristics of Business English
Business English is useful in establishing clear lines of communication with colleagues, vendor partners and customers. It can be deployed verbally, but is particularly useful when it comes to written communication. Business English is crucial in ensuring nothing is left open to interpretation. Understanding how to apply English effectively in a professional setting not only streamlines business operations, but also saves considerable time and money.
When it comes to producing written communications for business, a direct and succinct command of the English language is particularly important. Idioms and region-specific expressions should be avoided entirely, ensuring the material you’re producing has as broad a reach as possible. As a general rule, shorter verbs and sentences should be used in place of longer ones. Grammar also needs to be carefully considered. Complex grammatical structure has no place in Business English.
How Business English Can Help You Professionally
Even a native English speaker can benefit from getting to grips with Business English. In order to keep up with the latest news and developments from the business world, you’ll need to understand the language used in business news articles and industry insider reports. If you don’t have an intimate understanding of Business English terminology, you’re not going to be able to glean the most important insights from industry-specific articles. Being able to communicate in Business English will also give you an edge in professional settings. You’ll be able to hold your own in boardroom meetings and capitalise on specific terminology to secure new ventures and partnerships.
Although some would have you believe that Business English usage is on the wane, this simply isn’t true. Admittedly, other languages like Mandarin Chinese are becoming increasingly commonplace in international business dealings, but the overall number of speakers still falls short of the 1.6 billion or so people who speak English with a high degree of fluency. What’s more, many international companies continue to communicate exclusively in English and this trend is unlikely to subside anytime soon.
