India Group: Janna, Alexa, Taylor, Stephen

Assigned reading: The Technical Editor as Diplomat

(some of our questions aren't directly related to the article but came from tangents we went off on from more related questions or from certain things mentioned in the article...fyi)

1) Is there a polite or preferred method of correcting someone in your native language, in writing or conversation? How do you do it?

2) To whom is your speech or writing most direct? Can you give examples of directness of speech/writing in different relationships, situations, contexts...?

3) Have you ever felt threatened when being corrected in conversation in your native language? Who was correcting you, and why?

4) Do you feel threatened when your use of English is corrected? When and by whom? About what?

5) Do you ever feel the need to be defensive or hostile to get your point across in either language? Is it different when you are writing than when you are speaking?

6) In your native language, are there different methods of framing a request or suggestion? Is it dependent upon who you are directing this toward? Who it's coming from?

7) Is it polite in your culture to reject advice or suggestions, or to tell someone you don't want advice? Should one tell the advice-giver that they will not use the advice given? Should one act appreciative of advice or suggestions, or treat them with little acknowledgement, whether or not it is used?

English? Can you give examples of different times you have felt the need to be more direct or more indirect in your use of both languages?

9) Does difference in emphasis of words change the meaning of your statement or question in your native language? How does it compare to the use of emphasis in English? Have you struggled with the differences?

10) Is there a 'passive voice' in your native language and how/when/with whom would you use it? Is it usually considered polite or impolite to speak in this way? Have you encountered differences with this in English, and if so, what problems has it caused, if any?

11) In your native language, when are interrogatives used, with whom, and in what situations? Are there any times you've used interrogatives to imply suggestion? How is this interpreted by the person you are communicating with, and what kinds of responses are usual?

12) Are there words in your native language that have the same or similar concept as an English word, and if so, in what ways is their use different than their English counterparts? Does it change the way you use the English word?
(Ex: Does the word for 'love' in your language get used as broadly as in English, as in saying "I love you" to your spouse versus saying "I love pizza.")

13) How does your culture view the use of borrowed English words, if there are any? What are some examples of English words that have been incorporated into your native language? (i.e., new technologies, medical terms, foods?)

14) Is it more acceptable in your native language to use direct suggestion versus hinting at what you are suggesting? Can you give examples of contexts where one may be more appropriate than the other?

15) Is advice generally accepted in your culture, or is it seen as invasive? What types of advice? Is advice more acceptable coming from certain people than from others?

16) What types of questions are viewed as personal, and what types are seen as impersonal? Is there a difference in politeness between them? How does your relationship or comparative status with the person asking the question affect how it is accepted or answered?

17) Have you ever been offended or have you offended somebody when asking or being asked questions in English? In your native language, by a non-native speaker? What were these questions and what were the responses?

18) How do different authority figures interact with children in regards to giving instruction? Do different people (teachers, parents, siblings, etc.) have different methods? Is suggestive guidance more common or is there more of an authoritative or demanding attitude toward teaching/raising children? How does this vary in different contexts?

19) How is punishment used and viewed in your culture? Who punishes who and for what? Is punishment treated more as a way to learn from ones mistakes, or is it seen as a method of revenge/retribution? How is this different from American views of punishment that you have encountered?

20) Is advice seeking common in your culture? How does one ask for advice? Is it asked for directly or is it implied that advice or suggestions are needed? To whom do people usually look for advice, and what types of advice are commonly sought after?

21) In a business setting, is it acceptable to make suggestions, give advice to, or correct your coworkers? Your boss, or other 'higher-ups'?

22) Is advice given publicly or in private? Is it seen as an embarassment to receive advice in front of others?