We frequently use IM as an online tool for communication, so I have a lot of chance to talk with colleagues from both China and America via IM. To save time, we use a lot of abbreviations when chatting. For example, we all know the meaning of “c u”, which is popular in both China and America. However there are also some abbreviations very prevalent in one country but not so meaningful in another country.
Every time I start a chant with a new local (Chinese) team member I try to say hello to him by typing “yt?”. I will always receive the response “what does ‘yt?’ mean?”, and I have to tell them it is for “you there?”.
Another example, going the opposite direction. After a long talk with one of my American colleagues when it’s time to say goodbye I always type “88” unconsciously. Then it’s very possible we’ll discuss the meaning of “88” for 5 more minutes. In China, we’re now use to saying “bye bye!” Typing “88”, because the pronunciation of “8” in Chinese is much like that of “bye”, though they sound a little different, it’s close enough that it’s become common to use this to mean “bye bye” in our IM conversations. So I believe knowing these conventions are one of the survival skills for colleagues who are in contact across our offices.
There are many interesting things I come across in communicating with colleagues coming from different country, and I always meet funny guys who are interested in learning Chinese during the project. However my English should (unfortunately) be better than their Chinese. In order to make the communication fluent and efficient, it’s always a better choice that I use the opportunity to practice English rather than their chance to practice Chinese.
