SLOW AND CLEAR…COMMUNICATION TIPS FOR CONGRESS
At IFAJ Congress—and all our international events—it’s easy to get excited about sharing ideas and information. Often, we share those ideas in English, the working language of IFAJ.
But for the large majority of IFAJ members, English is a second, third or fourth language. That makes it difficult for many people to follow presentations and discussions, notes Jacob Neergaard of Denmark.
Jacob shared some tips for clearer communication at IFAJ events. Here are some highlights.
Slow Down
It’s easy to talk too fast, he points out. Here are reminders to slow down:
- Fewer words per minute
- Split long sentences into shorter ones
- Be prepared to make breaks – to make sure listeners are following
- Explain words, concepts, etc. if necessary
Keep sentences simple, he adds. Avoid unnecessary information and interposed sentences, where interruptions or changes in direction bury the point of the sentence.
Avoid Abbreviations
Many of us use abbreviations in our work often, especially if we report on government or technical subjects. The problem, Jacob points out, is that those abbreviations can be difficult to remember.
Worse, they can differ dramatically from one language to another. For instance, the United Nations is abbreviated “UN” in English. But in Danish, it’s “FN” for “Forenede Nationer.”
Be Careful With Cultural References
Every culture has its immediately recognized characters and references. But as Jacob points out, even familiar characters may have different names in various languages. For instance, he points to a comment made at last year’s IFAJ Congress: “It’s like finding Waldo.”
The problem, Jacob notes: That works find in English, but in Denmark, Waldo’s name is Holger. German children look for the red-and-white cap of Walter, while French kids try to find Charlie.
Don’t lose your point in a lost reference.
Avoid Unfamiliar Words
As writers, many of us try to vary our vocabulary to keep our reporting interesting. That is great in our native languages, but can make communicating in a less-familiar language difficult.
For instance, the word “problem” is probably familiar to most people who have learned English. But Jacob points out that other words that can mean “problem”—like “hiccup,” “snag,” “issue,” “muddle,” “difficulty,” “mix-up,” or “drawback”—can be confusing.
Don’t create a problem! Keep it simple.
A big thank-you to Jacob Neergaard for sharing these helpful ideas and examples!
