Grounded language and giving it life in virtual communication.
WORLD ENGLISH, does it exist?
Language, something we are all curious about, we spend our lives exploring the depths of partnerships based on language. When we feel sure of ourselves, When we feel knowledgeable about a subject, and when we assume we understand we charge in with our language. Then when entering a new company, partnership, a relationship, we listen with attentiveness to the word choices, we recalibrate our choice of words instinctually to better define meaning. Yes, we all do it. When we are vulnerable, our word choice can change the entire dynamics.
Why do companies send people to meet in person?
Right now we are learning a new skill set out of need, we humans are good at adapting. We are learning to read each other's language through virtual means. Virtual meetings used to be used after the in-person meeting where initial agreements on terminology and purpose were decided, and then in-person check-ins were used to stay clear and sure as needed.
Now we are establishing language without any in-person meeting. Through voice, facial expressions, tempo, and word choices. In groups, switching screens, volume differences, lighting that differs on each screen and speakers that differ in quality. Different lifestyles, in different mindsets, and possibly barefoot.
World English is a reuse!
When I look at my articles written here in Seattle, they are very different from articles I would write in Europe. My approach, my views on subjects, the challenges the successes, and the vocabulary is very different. An article on inclusiveness in Europe, totally different, yet here I am in Seattle. Same English, making different choices. Choosing a different approach.
The magical power of the merchant's pre-internet or media outlets is there constant shifting of perspectives out of the need to barter. Coined "Cosmopolitans". From the Greek Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412 B.C.)Asked where he came from, he answered: 'I am a citizen of the world (kosmopolitês)', another example Immanuel Kant stages a ius cosmopoliticum (cosmopolitan law/right) Kant's cosmopolitan right stems from an understanding of all human beings as equal members of a universal community.
As the companies do business with each other, Global corporate culture is expanding and cosmopolitans are being homegrown. World English is underestimated.
Localized specialists exist for each language in every region of all languages in order to better market to, sell to, and connect with the local mindset. Cosmopolitans, 3rd culture kids and Global merchants speak a language, it's not a native English, it's not British or American English, its the language between the line, or better said an English of face value. What would appear to be a contradiction is often the area where you find the true meaning-making between perspectives. The meeting of words and worlds.
As we surfed the web, pre-filters we were shocked and surprised at some of the perspectives we would find and we were also ofter pleased to see there were other ways of thinking. Now as we surf the web, our search engines are reading our interests, our perspectives, our use of language. We are spoken to in our version of culturally appropriate English and babied into wanting and feeling that which is targeted and intensional. Even if the intension is as innocent as inclusiveness and comfort of use. It's still slowing down global understanding and the freedom to grow.
Now we have a new opportunity, Our minds have the ability to know when we don't understand a perspective, and also to know there is value in that perspective. we learnt this through the safety of surfing in our own homes. Now to translate this world English into virtual meetings and creating intentional meaning-making communication that allows for everyone to be on the same page and succeed is I believe the next step to Global English. Coders have chat rooms, they are always trying out new language combinations and sharing notes as to what worked and whats clearest, they are also the language writers. Focused localized content writers have chat rooms too, how best to convey a message using local memes and local assumptions, with a local metaphor.
Global English is taking grounded language and giving it life. Opening up perspectives through shared meaning-making in live virtual interactions, globally. I believe this is where we are going. And we are going to succeed because we enjoy being given permission to hold the company work perspective while working and having the privacy and freedom to maintain our person perspectives alive and growing from home. This time in our own space, in our own minds, and in our own cultures, is giving us new strength and adding a level of diversity of thought and resilience to the companies global mindset.