Modern Business English for Industrial Engineers

Отрывок из книги

In times of economic downturn1, competition for jobs becomes tougher, and only those with the best skills, which includes language skills, and above all English, can survive. Although we hope to help you to improve your English, we know that reading on its own is not enough. It is also essential to improve your understanding of spoken English and your active use of the language.

The way companies and their employees talk has changed. Until the September 11, 2001 attacks on the financial centre of the US, the language of business was full of militaristic words. Strategy meetings were held in the “war room”, companies “invaded” new markets, and consultants had deployments and engagements like “warring”2 soldiers. Employees got “killed” or “wounded” and the competition had to “be driven out”3 of the market. As a result of the war in Afghanistan, however, business language has acquired a whole new level of meaning. Even old standby expressions like “let’s wait till the dust settles” have become painful to hear. “Combat”4 no longer sounds cool or dynamic, just cold and brutal. [4]

.....

-I’d like to have a window seat/aisle seat.

-Could I have a window/aisle seat, please?

.....