28.499, Review: English; Socioling: Friedrich (2016)

Tue Jan 24 19:19:17 UTC 2017

LINGUIST List: Vol-28-499. Tue Jan 24 2017. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 28.499, Review: English; Socioling: Friedrich (2016)

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Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:19:04
From: Zsuzsanna Zsubrinszky [zsubrinszky.zsuzsanna at uni-bge.hu]
Subject: English for Diplomatic Purposes

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Book announced at http://linguistlist.org/issues/27/27-2299.html

EDITOR: Patricia  Friedrich
TITLE: English for Diplomatic Purposes
PUBLISHER: Multilingual Matters
YEAR: 2016

REVIEWER: Zsuzsanna Zsubrinszky, Budapest Business School

Reviews Editor: Helen Aristar-Dry

SUMMARY

English is used in diplomatic contexts worldwide, including situations where
none of the interlocutors are native speakers. The book, 'English for
Diplomatic Purposes' edited by Patricia Friedrich, is a ground-breaking
volume, which brings together the perspectives of researchers and
practitioners to discuss the needs of those using and learning English for
Diplomatic Purposes. Chapter authors use concepts from sociolinguistics, World
Englishes, Peace Linguistics and English as a Lingua Franca. Combined with
this theoretical background is a pragmatic understanding of the work of
diplomacy and the realities of communication, as well as exercises designed to
help students, teachers and practising diplomats reflect on, and develop their
language use. The contributors to this volume concentrate on the English
language itself (the many connections between language and culture a worthy
addition) and on providing examples of application that could be used in the
classroom or for individual practice by those without access to an English
classroom-learning environment. This book represents an important first step
in the opening-up of English for Diplomatic Purposes as a distinct field of
study and learning, and as such will be a useful reading for scholars,
instructors, students and all professionals working or studying in this area.

The volume consists of nine chapters in which the selected group of
researchers exemplify the kind of dialogue that brings together academic
scholarship and fieldwork. In Chapter 1, ‘Toward a Nonkilling Linguistics’,
Patricia Friedrich and Francisco Gomes de Matos situate the theme of diplomacy
and English within the larger realm of peace linguistics (both positive and
negative) and overall respect for language users’ linguistic choices. The
authors argue that respect for human communication and human dignity is
paramount to building a nonkilling society and as such should be pursued in
all aspects of our lives. 

In Chapter 2, ‘Softening or Intensifying Your Language in Oppositional Talk:
Disagreeing Agreeably or Defiantly’, Noriko Ishihara shows how it is possible
to disagree and still maintain elements of politeness that foster openness to
dialogues and understanding. The author demonstrates how balance between
various contextual factors and the (in)formality, (in)directness and
(im)politeness of the language used can be achieved and offers a chance for
readers to analyse some meta-cognitive strategies of expert diplomats. 

Chapter 3 presents us with a view on ‘Compassionate English Communication for
Diplomatic Purposes’ by Josette LeBlanc. The chapter begins with an
explanation of the definition of Compassionate English Communication (CEC),
and how it came into being based on the author’s experience and research. Then
the focus is on three thorough activities (description vs. evaluation,
empathic analysis, and compassionate SMART-Choice request), in which literacy
is practised and linked to such essential elements of successful interactions
as persuasion and compassion itself. 

In Chapter 4, ‘English as a lingua franca in East and Southeast Asia:
Implications for Diplomatic and Intercultural Communication’, Andy
Kirkpatrick, Sophiaan Subhan and Ian Walkinshaw look at how speakers of
English as a lingua franca (EFL) use the language in naturally occurring
contexts, including collegial interactions, discussions among consular
officials and courtroom exchanges. The exchanges illustrate that the speakers
focus on message rather than form, and are characterized by direct
contradictions and disagreements, all threatening the recipients’ face. 

In Chapter 5, ‘World Englishes and Peace Linguistics: Their Contribution to
English for Diplomatic Purposes’, Patricia Friedrich explains some basic
premises of World Englishes by bringing it together with Peace Linguistics,
and then she offers a number of activities (e.g., variation in vocabulary and
pronunciation, cultural and rhetorical differences etc.) to bring World
Englishes awareness to the language and diplomacy classroom. 

In Chapter 6, ‘Negotiating in English’, Danton Ford and Paul Kim Luksetich
apply the principles of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for
Diplomatic Purposes (EDP) to focus on negotiating in English. Also, they
describe how cross-cultural issues and translation interplay with language.
The language recommendations advocated in the chapter and the manner in which
they are used comes from hours of training, interviews, and application by
various levels of diplomats who have successfully negotiated in English as a
second language. 

In Chapter 7, ‘Force and Grace’, Biljana Scott overviews the linguistic
devices that underlie force and grace respectively and demonstrates how these
are not incompatible categories. In the second half of the chapter the author
provides an analysis of the language (tone of voice, body language and facial
expressions) of a former British diplomat with the intention of bringing to
awareness dimensions of his native language. 

In Chapter 8, ‘Pedagogy of Positiveness Applied to English for Diplomatic
Purposes’, Francisco Gomes de Matos offers many activities (e.g.,
positivizers, lexicombining ability, terminology, alliterations, etc.) 
suitable for early learners to enhance one’s vocabulary and English use so as
to foster peace and understanding, as well as communicate in socially
responsible ways. 

Finally, in Chapter 9, ‘Conclusion’, Patricia Friedrich invites readers,
teachers, scholars and learners to continue to talk about the language use in
diplomacy. Her ultimate goal with the book is to realize the wisdom of the
right words to resolve disputes and conflicts through productive linguistic
interactions.

EVALUATION

The volume deals with diplomacy at a variety of levels, including the
interpersonal, intercultural, and intergovernmental, and is informed by an
appreciation of and respect for all languages and all peoples in the world.
The chapters are designed to be used as materials that link theory and
practice and ground suggestions and activities in dynamic research. Although
the book makes a cohesive whole, its chapters can be read independently. 

Compassion, peace and an understanding of others’ motives are very important
considerations throughout the book because several of the authors align their
work with Peace Linguistics, World Englishes and Sociolinguistics, areas that
see matters of linguistic rights as essential and intrinsically linked to
human rights themselves.

In some chapters activities appear at the end, whereas in others they are
embedded in the text after the relevant sections or segments. One of the
strengths of the volume is that readers will find more elementary aspects of
language use as well as more abstract nuances of meaning and connotation
represented. For instance, Chapters 6 and 8 can be easily adapted to help
beginners, whereas some other chapters (e.g., Chapters 2 and 3) necessitate a
more advanced understanding of language dynamics.

The editor and the contributors to this volume must be praised for having
published this unique book which is a milestone in the field of English as a
diplomatic language.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Zsuzsanna Zsubrinszky is Associate Professor in the English Department at
Budapest Business School. Her research interests include discourse analysis,
intercultural communication and English for Specific Purposes. She has
published on business communication, intercultural communication and
politeness issues in business emails.

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