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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Barriers to Business Communication

Ravi, a Mumbai manager, tells a Japanese client by email, 'We will table the proposal on Monday.' The client, accustomed to a different usage, understands that the proposal will be shelved. Which statement best explains the situation and the appropriate remedy?

It is a semantic, language-related barrier because the idiom 'table the proposal' has opposite meanings in different usages. The remedy is to replace it with plain literal wording such as 'present the proposal on Monday'. Changing rooms, motivation or structures would not remove the ambiguity.

  1. AIt is a semantic barrier because the idiom has different meanings across usage; use plain, literal wording such as 'We will present the proposal on Monday'Correct
  2. BIt is a physical barrier; shift the meeting to a quieter room
  3. CIt is an emotional barrier; the client should be motivated
  4. DIt is an organisational barrier; redraw the reporting structure

Explanation

'Table' means to present in some usages and to postpone in others, so the idiom is understood differently. The remedy is to avoid idioms and use clear literal words. Room, motivation or structure changes do not remove the ambiguity of the wording.

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