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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Intercultural and International Business Communication

Mr. Iyer, a Chennai-based exporter, writes to a German buyer using phrases like 'we will knock it out of the park' and 'let's touch base on the ballpark figure'. The buyer asks for clarification several times. Which skill would have best avoided this problem?

Using plain, precise language without idioms or jargon would have avoided the problem. Expressions like 'knock it out of the park' are culture-specific and confuse non-native English speakers, so clear, literal wording helps the German buyer understand the message the first time.

  1. AUsing plain, precise language free of idioms and jargonCorrect
  2. BWriting longer messages with more figurative expressions
  3. CReplying only by telephone instead of in writing
  4. DUsing technical abbreviations known only within his own firm

Explanation

Idioms and figurative expressions are culture-specific and are often misread by non-native speakers. Plain, precise wording is the standard advice in cross-cultural writing. More figures of speech would worsen the confusion, and in-house abbreviations are also unclear to outsiders.

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