Firms fight slang in the workplace
Published 29 May, 2008, 05:13
Russian is a difficult language to master, even for native speakers. In a bid to reduce slang and jargon in conversation and written work, some Russian companies are offering their staff language training. And many employees are welcoming the chance to rediscover their native tongue.
New research shows more and more Russians are resorting to slang and jargon to make themselves understood, in both speech and writing.
Some employers say this is bad for business, and have decided to take action. They are sending their workers back to school.
“We communicate with clients a lot. Can you imagine addressing our clients as ”Hi, dude!“ instead of saying ”Hello, Mr. Ivanov“. I just really wanted to revive the Russian language again,” said Galina Bandurkina, Head of Astarta Prestige Company.
Employees get to grips with grammar and spelling during a special lesson once a week. Their school days may be long behind them but they say they’re enjoying it more this time round
“Now that we are adults we understand more and we perceive the information differently. I know that many foreign words have cluttered our language but I want to maintain it in its pure and original form,” said Inessa Poltorak, Astarta Prestige Company project manager.
This company is in the minority in actively trying to address the language problem – one which experts say is widespread.
According to linguist Maxim Krongauz, the distinctions between different registers of speech have broken down.
“Previously the social varieties of language such as jargon and vernacular language were strictly separated; today everything has got mixed up,” he said.
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