THE FRENCH CONNECTION

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A few years ago I was working in a newsroom with English and French journalists and one day a particularly witty French colleague stuck a sign on the wall titled: 

‘What English people say and what they actually mean.’ 

Below was an exposing list of phrases us Brits use and how they can mean something quite different from their literal translation. 

For example, ‘that’s interesting’ taken literally implies ‘tell me more’, but native English speakers may also pick on a more subtle undertone which implies ‘change the subject’ or worse ‘be quiet!’ 

It was a humbling read as I’d never realised how contradictory the English language (and therefore I as a Brit) could be! 

This list came to mind during a recent trip to Paris, where Claire and I led a media training workshop for VivaTech, an annual tech conference held in the French capital. 

We were specifically tasked with highlighting the differences between French and English media. 

Broadly speaking, the job of the media is to inform and entertain but there are of course differences in how this is executed according to where you are in the world. 

For example, English media is more direct and succinct than French media where long, thoughtful answers are the norm. 

Also, the tone of French interviews is likely to be more polite and formal - in part due to the distinction between the formal ‘vous’ and informal ‘tu’ - while interviews in English are less prescribed. 

So why should this matter to you? 

After all, you may not find yourself working in different languages or with people from different countries. 

Because by virtue of our own lived experience, we all bring different viewpoints into the workplace and the more empathy and understanding we can have for another’s way of operating, the better we’ll communicate and the better we’ll do business. 

So the next time a colleague does something that isn’t what you would do, instead of criticising maybe try getting curious. 

We can’t always see the water we swim in, whichever side of the Channel we’re on.