English is a language that is spoken all over the world in many different countries. It has certainly made its dominion and has become a language of great prominence. People of all age group communicate and make use of this skill in various walks of life.
Our dealings differ according to the person, situation and setup. Similarly, English is also spoken in a variety of ways. It has a formal and informal tone that changes according to the environment and circumstances.
English is an important tool of communication in the business world. It is a part of all the dealings that happen in the corporate sector. While many native and other speakers consider that it is the generalised version used in this field, the truth is different.
General English is one that is used in everyday communication whereas business English is used for other important purposes. The difference between the two needs to be understood and examined to better understand this concept. It is also highly useful to explore English at work course in order to progress in the professional field. Here is a segregation between the two genres of the language.
1. Business English is more direction-based
Unlike general English which like the name suggests is all-purpose, its business counterpart has a certain purpose. It uses words and sentence in a more implied manner where there is a direction. This is why it is not only specific to needs but is also highly extensive. Also, business English is task-oriented as you will be using it to write project work or draft mails.
2. Specific terminologies
A business English will have terms that you will never find being used by a general speaker. Industry representatives such as those working in advertising, media, accounting or human resource use domain-specific words that are apt and job-descriptive. Such terms are specific to the business and its needs. As a professional, one needs to have knowledge of the same.
3. Pragmatic
Business skills are important in order for one to progress in the corporate structure. Speaking the required language is usually a very essential expertise here. By learning general English, you will be able to communicate well but won’t enjoy the focused career progression that you need in order to grow.
4. Tone specific
A very major difference between general English and business English is the tone of the two. While the former is often used in a very informal manner, the latter has a certain set tone. Business English is used in a set up where one has to adhere to a certain decorum. For example the sentence, ‘I need some help’ in general English will be spoken as ‘I require some assistance’ in business English.
While both fall under the category of ‘English’, there is a vast difference between the two in terms of usage and impact. Business English is a vital skill for any budding professional in any field.