2008/4/10, [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>:
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MacLeod Dave
>
>
>  > >  Of course such communication is limited to relatively simple
>  transactions,
>  > >  but it is a start, and maybe that's all we need.
>  >
>  > No, that's definitely not all we need. The most communication
>  between
>  > people of differing languages takes place in the business sphere,
>  and
>  > that means making explicit instructions for what to do and what
>  not to
>  > do. That's why Airbus and other companies have specific
>  instructions
>  > for how to write in English for people from other countries, to
>  ensure
>  > that there is no misunderstanding. It results in a simpler
>  English,
>  > but the rules are very clear.
>
>
> Even simple transactions can fall apart without good communication.
>  Suppose a person ordered food at a restaurant and specifically
>  tells the waiter *not* to include something in the meal because of
>  an allergy.  Now let's suppose that because of some abiguity or
>  other flaw in the design of the language, the waiter misunderstands
>  and thinks the customer is asking for that item.  The results could
>  be very serious.
>
That happens in Korean a lot, because there generally isn't as much
pickiness as back home (and also no tips in restaurants either) which
means that when you ask somebody to change something it's usually a
bit of a hassle. On top of that, the words man (only) and mani (a lot)
sound similar so a lot of people learning Korean have asked for only
cheese for example, and have ended up with all the original
ingredients, plus a lot of cheese. Of course the way around it is to
use bbaeda (take out), but not everybody has access to that much
vocabulary at first.

-- 
http://mithridates.blogspot.com