Business English uses different vocabulary and metaphors from everyday speech. Metaphors are word pictures that help explain a situation by comparing it to something else. In business, metaphors are borrowed from other disciplines.
Why are metaphors so challenging for ESL learners to understand? It is because they are not literal and you can't find out what they mean by looking up individual words in a dictionary.
"The company is sinking," is an example of a metaphor used in business. It uses an expression that makes it clear that the company is in trouble financially. If you had never heard this expression before, it could be quite confusing because it cannot be taken literally. It compares the company to a ship that is floundering.
A good way to learn about Business English is to read the business section of a newspaper. Read through articles and have a pencil handy to identify metaphors and non-literal language.
Why not test yourself to see how many business words, phrases or metaphors you can find in one article? Then try to use some of these expressions in your own writing and speaking.
Here are some metaphors that are used in business. Can you tell where they come from?
1. "We are living in turbulent times."
2. "We're having a bumper crop of sales."
3. "There is a surge in interest in our products."
4. "We need to float a loan."
5. "The recent market crisis will cure some people's addiction to debt."
Answers1. Aviation
2. Farming
3. Electrical engineering
4. Shipping
5. Psychology/Medicine.
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