Question

Activity Report 2: The UK decision to leave the EU has shined a glaring light on some of the stark realities associated with globalization. Despite the UK determination, I suspect that globalization will continue inexorably unless we are willing to relinquish our electronics and return to snail mail, so it's still a good bet that we will all need to be culturally sensitive in our communication with non-US business partners. After you have reviewed the attached guidelines on international correspondence, please read the attached letter from an American writer to an Argentinean associate. Note any language that might be inappropriate or confusing for an international reader. Then rewrite the letter to correct or clarify any questionable passages. You can use as much of the original wording (not all of the language is problematic), or you can re-word the whole thing to suit your own language and style, but either way you must convey the same general message as the original writer.

INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDANCE GUIDELINES

FROM WRITING THAT WORKS

• Write clear and complete sentences: unusual word order or rambling sentences will frustrate and confuse readers.
• Avoid any overly simplified style that may offend or any affectation that may confuse the reader.
• Avoid humor, irony, and sarcasm; they are easily misunderstood outside their cultural context.
• Do not use idioms, jargon, slang expressions, unusual figures of speech, or allusions to events or attitudes particular to American life.
• Consider whether necessary technical terminology can be found in abbreviated English-language dictionaries; if it cannot, carefully define the terminology.
• Do not use contractions or abbreviations that may not be clear to international readers.
• Avoid inappropriate informality, such as using first names too quickly.
• Write out dates, whether in month-day-year style (June 7, 2016, not 6/7/2016) used in the US or the day-month-year (7 June 2016, not 7/6/2016) used in other parts of the world.
• Specify time zones or refer to international standards, such as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).
• Use international measurement standards, such as the metric system where possible.
• Ask someone familiar with the customs of the recipient to read over your draft before you send the email, letter, or memo.

Letter:

452 West Main St.

Concord, MA 01742  

978-634-2756

www.protech .com

5-9-14

Mr. Antonio Mosca-Guzman

Tecnologia Canderas, S.A.

Ave. Martin 1285

C1174AB Buenos Aires, ARG.

Dear Tony,

I wanted to drop you a line before the merger hits and in doing so touch base and give you the lowdown on how our department works here in the good old U.S. of A.

None of us had a clue that Pro-Tech was going to go south of the border, but your recent meeting about the Smartboard T-C spoke volumes to the tech people who praised your operations to the hilt. So it looks like you and I both will be getting a new corp.name. Ole. I love moving from Pro-Tech, Ltd. to Pro-Tech International. We are so glad we can help you guys out.

At any rate, I'm sending you an email with all the ins and outs of our department struc., layout, employees, and prod. eff. quotas. From this info, I'm hoping you'll be able to see ways for us to streamline, cooperate, and soar in the market. I understand that all of this is in the works and that you and I need to have a face-to-face and so I'd appreciate your reciprocating with all the relevant data stat.

Consequently, I guess I'll be flying down your way next month. Before I take off, I would like to give you a ring. How does after lunch next Thursday (say, 1:00-1:30) sound to you? I hope this is doable.

We've had a spell of great weather here (can you believe it's in the low 80s today!). So, I guess I'll just sign off and wait til I hear from you further.

I send you felicitations and want things to go smoothly before the merger is a done deal.

Adios,

Frank Sims         

Answer 1

452 West Main Street,

Concord, MA 01742

978-634-2756

www.protech.com

September 5, 2014

Mr Antonio Mosca-Guzman

Tecnologia Canderas, S.A.

Ave. Martin 1285

C1174AB Buenos Aires,

Argentina.

Dear Mr. Antonio,

I wanted to write to you before the merger hits and to give you some information on how our department works here in the U.S.

We did not have any clue that our company would be going south of the border, but your recent meeting about the Smartboard T-C spoke volumes to the tech people and they praised your operations to the hilt. Therefore, it looks like you and I will be getting a new corporate name. i love it that we are moving from Pro Tech, Ltd. to Pro Tech International and we are indeed happy to help you.

Anyway I am sending you an email with all the ins and outs of our department structure, layout, employees and production efficiency quota. From these information I'm hoping you will able to see ways for us to streamline, cooperate and soar in the market. I understand that all of this is in the works and we both need to have a face to face meeting. I'd also appreciate you reciprocating with all the data statistics.

Consequently, I will be flying to Argentina next month. I will give you a call before I take-off. Can we meet after lunch next Thursday (between 15:00 -15:30). I hope this can be done.

I am sending you felicitations and want things to go smoothly before the merger is done.

Awaiting for your reply at the earliest.

Thanking You,

Yours Truly,

Frank Sims