Speaking English to non-English speakers

[Nero]

Or at least those with English as their second language. A man on Twitter has made an interesting observation and one I definitely agree with:

The British speakers at COP26 are using colloquialisms and cultural references that most of the audience don't get and are not responding to. It's a very good point and something I've observed when working abroad, or with other nationalities in this country. It happened a lot recently when Olexander Usyk beat Anthony Joshua too. British journalists asking the Interpreter questions using metaphors that he clearly didn't understand.

Is this a lack of self-awareness, or a result of the general lack of a second language that most English speakers have?

 

[Ironops]

Its because the target audience of the politicians is their own electorate, not the wider world

 

[Capybara]

Or at least those with English as their second language. A man on Twitter has made an interesting observation and one I definitely agree with:

The British speakers at COP26 are using colloquialisms and cultural references that most of the audience don't get and are not responding to. It's a very good point and something I've observed when working abroad, or with other nationalities in this country. It happened a lot recently when Olexander Usyk beat Anthony Joshua too. British journalists asking the Interpreter questions using metaphors that he clearly didn't understand.

Is this a lack of self-awareness, or a result of the general lack of a second language that most English speakers have?

Both probably, with the second fuelling the first. As someone who is trying to learn another language, once you get to a certain proficiency you realise that you are only halfway there (if that) because then accents and colloquialisms come into play.

 

[Nero]

Its because the target audience of the politicians is their own electorate, not the wider world

Good point. I didn't think of it that way.

 

[Capybara]

 

[dooderooni]

I found the same when I lived in Belgium. Part of my job was delivering training and I was always very careful to keep things simple and avoid colloquialisms.
Johnson's problem at COP26 is that once you take out his flowery language there is little substance left in what he says. I reckon a straight talker could take a Johnson speech and cut it by at least 75% and still deliver the substance and detail.