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What is the best way to communicate your ideas, especially when there is a language barrier between you and your subordinates in project environment?

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Question added by oghenekaro owhowho , assistant lead instructor , cisco networking academy
Date Posted: 2015/05/10
saifullah azam
by saifullah azam , Territory Manager , Kansai Paint Pvt LTD

  • Use simple words; avoid jargon and acronyms.
  • Limit/avoid technical language.
  • Speak slowly (don’t shout).
  • Articulate words completely.
  • Repeat important information.
  • Provide educational material in the languages your patients read.
  • Use pictures, demonstrations, video or audiotapes to increase understanding.
  • Give information in small chunks and verify comprehension before going on.
  • Always confirm patient’s understanding of the information - patient’s logic may be different from yours. " "Employee Language Skills

Mohamed Mobarak
by Mohamed Mobarak , Managing Quantity Surveying , Urbacon Holding

Establish a communication management plan to describe the communication process, Understand the importance of feedback in the communication process, Understand various verbal and nonverbal methods of communication, Understand the common barriers to communication, Utilize various methods to overcome communication and Language barriers such as:

1- Teach them work words, phrases, warnings, and other critical communication elements that are necessary for them to perform to my performance standards 

2- Try to find some one in my team who speaks both languages fluently and let him translate my instructions and feedback properly.

3-Use Visual Methods of Communication

4- Provide Language Lessons Training

5- Try to Translate most of work documents which is regularly used in work.

6- Try to get feedback from them for every instruction to ensure they have understood my instructions.

Deddy Karson Sumantadiredja
by Deddy Karson Sumantadiredja , Project Manager , British Petroleum (BP) Tangguh - Papua

I will familiar words in place of the unfamiliar, use concrete words in place of the abstract, use short words in place of long, use single words in place of several...

Shadi Al-Majthoob
by Shadi Al-Majthoob , Trainer and Sales , Tahboub Bros for int'l Supplies Company

Try to figure what his problems he need to solve at work and surprise him with a solution, a result.

Try to be smart, he will do his best next time to listen and understand you.

Christine Lopez
by Christine Lopez , Graphics Artist , Freelance

Graphic facilitation is one of the very effective ways to communicate across cultural and language barriers. It strengthens understanding and it also helps to break down cultural divides and differences in a project environment. Visualization techniques helps the team members to digest a complex idea in a much shorter space of time, irrespective of culture or first language.

Shammy Fernandes
by Shammy Fernandes , Consultant

 The best way would be to use drawing/Sketchs to communicate 

Muhammad Sherif
by Muhammad Sherif , Founder, Managing Director & Sr. Lead Business Consultant , New Directions Consulting, Training & Services

USING AUDIO / VIDEO AND TO BE WRITTEN IN COMMON LANGUAGE

Abinash Singh
by Abinash Singh , Assistant Front Office Manager , Radisson Blu Doha

The best way is to get down to the understanding level of the subordinates and use very simple language which they can understand. We can use various examples to explain the situation.

Deleted user
by Deleted user

The answer to this dilemma lies in whether there is a real communication or culture barrier with the employee or whether the employee is using one's language and cultural differences as a manipulative means to lessen one's workload.

  • Translate all relevant documents 
  • Use an interpreter,Provide language classes for your employees on the basic language requirements for your business.
  • Use visual methods of communication more than audio. 
  • Use repetition
  • Never raise your voice or over-enunciate your words
  • Use simpler words with fewer syllables
  • Learn the basics of your employee’s language
  • Have the employee demonstrate their understanding

Mohammed tahseen Khan
by Mohammed tahseen Khan , QS Engineer , GR Engineering Consultants Hyd. Indi

Drawing is the Language of Engineering, So, the best way would be to use drawing/Sketchs to communicate 

mane al-koli
by mane al-koli , الاشراف , قطاع الاشغال والمشاريع

If communication. it was suggested that there be a language translator and interpreter attend if absolutely necessary. Either in the Office work is proposed to communicate papers. will burrow for translation and knowledge required of me for his managers.