{"id":2727,"date":"2016-01-27T11:00:56","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T19:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/toefl\/?p=2727"},"modified":"2016-01-25T10:57:47","modified_gmt":"2016-01-25T18:57:47","slug":"diplomatic-language-in-business-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/toefl\/diplomatic-language-in-business-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Diplomatic Language in Business English"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the workplace, there is always a need for decorum<\/em>, or formal politeness. But so often, we face problems at work that make us want to be impolite<\/em>\u2026 computer failures and broken equipment, theft of food from the break room refrigerator, missed deadlines, customers that fail to pay, and so on. The list of upsetting things could go on and on. Work is stressful\u2014that\u2019s why you get paid to do it.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been working for at least a few years, you\u2019ve probably learned the art of being diplomatic<\/em> when you speak. In diplomatic speech, you discuss problems in a polite way that doesn\u2019t cause people to get even more upset than they already are. One tricky thing about diplomatic is that it\u2019s different in different languages. In a sense, you need to re-learn diplomacy when you learn a second language. Let\u2019s look at the key features of diplomatic language in English.<\/p>\n

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Diplomatic language is more formal<\/h2>\n

Diplomatic language in the workplace uses words and phrases that are more formal. When practicing workplace diplomacy, avoid slang. Use language that\u2019s closer to written English than normal speech. For example, suppose your office space is very dirty, even though the maintenance crew was supposed to clean it. You could say \u201cThis place is a mess,\u201d but that\u2019s pretty informal. \u201cPlace\u201d has vague, context-dependent wording that suggests casual conversation.\u00a0 Similarly, the phrase \u201cis a mess\u201d has a distinctly informal tone. To make your language more formal\u2014and thus more diplomatic\u2014it would be better to say something like \u201cThis work area needs some maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Diplomatic language uses polite modal verbs<\/em><\/h2>\n

Modal verbs<\/em> are words that can be used before the main verb in a sentence. Modals give the verb a different connotation or give the whole sentence a different tone. (A list of the most common modals in English can be found here<\/a>.) Modal verbs that express possibility can make English sound more polite and diplomatic.<\/p>\n

For example, if you haven\u2019t received your paycheck on time, you\u2019ll obviously want to talk to a supervisor. But telling your boss \u201cCheck with payroll\u2014they didn\u2019t process my pay\u201d could sound rude or demanding. However, if you say \u201cYou may <\/strong>want to check with payroll\u2026 they might<\/strong> not have processed my pay,\u201d you sound much more diplomatic, just by adding the modals may<\/strong> and might<\/strong>. Similarly, if you get a paycheck that seems way too small, saying \u201cThis pay amount may <\/strong>be a mistake. Could<\/strong> you look into it?\u201d sounds much more polite than saying \u201cThis pay amount is a mistake. Look into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Diplomatic language uses more words<\/h2>\n

When you use more words in your speech, it sounds as if you are being more careful in what you say. In a delicate situation, sounding more careful is diplomatic. It suggests to others that you are being cautious about their feelings, and doing your best to find good solutions without blaming anyone.<\/p>\n

With more words, the diplomatic example sentences I showed you earlier can be made even more<\/em> diplomatic. Let\u2019s look at how more words can add diplomatic value:<\/p>\n