Heute war wieder Englisch-Tag mit Christine und Franz, und ich sag dir, ich bin kurz davor, die weiße Fahne zu schwenken. Der Grund? Ein klitzekleines Wörtchen namens “mustn’t“. Klingt harmlos, oder? Tja, Pustekuchen! Das ist ein waschechter “False Friend”, und ich bin voll drauf reingefallen.

Also, pass auf: Da sitz ich, voller Elan (ja, das kommt manchmal vor), und Christine fragt: “Was bedeutet ‘You mustn’t be late for the meeting’?” Ich, stolz wie Bolle, platze heraus: “Du musst nicht zu spät zum Meeting kommen!“

Stille.

Christine guckt mich an, als hätte ich gerade verkündet, dass die Erde eine Scheibe ist. Franz verschluckt sich fast an seinem Kaffee. Und ich? Ich sitze da und frage mich, ob ich versehentlich ins Paralleluniversum “Greta spricht perfektes Englisch” gerutscht bin.

Aber nein, es war mal wieder mein alter Freund, der Übersetzungsteufel. Anscheinend bedeutet “mustn’t” nicht “musst nicht”, sondern “darfst auf keinen Fall“.

WHAT? Wer hat sich das denn ausgedacht? Wahrscheinlich derselbe Typ, der entschieden hat, dass das englische Wort “gift” “Geschenk” und nicht “Gift” bedeutet. Sehr witzig, Herr Spracherfinder!

Christine, Engel der sie ist, erklärt es mir dann: “You mustn’t be late” = “Du darfst auf keinen Fall zu spät kommen” “You don’t have to come” = “Du musst nicht kommen” / “Du brauchst nicht kommen.“

Mein Hirn in diesem Moment: 🤯

Und Franz, dieser Klugscheißer, sitzt da und nickt, als wäre das das Selbstverständlichste der Welt. “Oh ja, das ist doch ganz logisch“, sagt er. Logisch? LOGISCH? Für wen denn bitte? Für Superhirne und Einhörner vielleicht!

Wisst ihr, was das Schlimmste ist? Ich hab das anscheinend die ganze Zeit falsch benutzt. Stellt euch mal vor, wie oft ich Leute versehentlich zu Dingen ausgeladen habe, obwohl ich sie gerne gesehen hätte.

Christine meinte, ich soll mir das so merken: “Must not” ist wie eine strenge Mutter, die mit dem Zeigefinger wackelt. “Don’t have to” ist wie eine coole Tante, die mit den Schultern zuckt.

Jetzt hab ich überall im Haus Post-its mit “MUSTN’T ≠ MUSS NICHT” geklebt. Meine Mitbewohnerin denkt wahrscheinlich, ich sei endgültig durchgedreht.

So, jetzt muss ich los. Ich hab ein Date mit meinem Wörterbuch. Wir werden “mustn’t” in jeder möglichen Kombination üben, bis mein Gehirn schmilzt oder ich es endlich kapiere – was auch immer zuerst passiert.

Bis zum nächsten linguistischen Albtraum, 

Deine (hoffentlich bald weniger verwirrte) Greta

(Or How to Stop Saying “Huh?” in Meetings)

You’ve mastered English grammar and worked on your vocabulary, but then BAM!—your Australian colleague starts talking, and suddenly you’re wondering if you’ve accidentally learned a different language. 

Not to worry… Here are 9 tips to help you confidently navigate the wild world of English accents in international business.

1. Embrace the Chaos

First things first: accept that English accents are as varied as Wurst flavours. From slow-drawling Texans to rapid-fire Scots, each accent is a unique flavour in the linguistic Biergarten. The sooner you embrace that, the sooner you’ll start having fun with it.

2. Listen to Accents… A Lot

Watch TV shows and films from different English-speaking countries. It’s like ear yoga—the more you stretch those listening muscles, the more flexible they become. Whether it’s Australian dramas, British comedies or American talk shows, soaking in different accents will help you get used to the rhythms and quirks of each one.

3. Focus on Context, Not Just Words

Think like a detective. If your British colleague says, “I’m chuffed to bits,” and they’re grinning ear to ear, it’s probably good news (and not some bizarre carpentry accident). Use context clues to piece together meaning—it’s often more helpful than trying to decode every single word.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Clarification

There’s no shame in asking someone to repeat themselves. It’s far better than nodding along and later realising you’ve agreed to dress as the company mascot for a year. Try something like, “Sorry, could you repeat that?” or “I just want to make sure I understood—did you mean…?”

5. Learn Common Accent-Specific Phrases

Every accent comes with its own set of quirky phrases. Learn a few for each major accent you encounter. For instance:

• American: If someone says, “Let’s touch base,” they don’t want to play baseball with you.
• Scottish: “Aye” means yes, not that your colleague is suddenly channelling their inner pirate.
• Australian: If they say “No worries,” they really aren’t worried—about anything, ever.

Knowing a few common phrases will save you from some confusion.

6. Slow It Down

If someone’s speaking too fast, it’s okay to ask them to slow down. Try: “Could you speak a little more slowly, please?” It’s a simple request, and most people will be happy to oblige.

7. Use Technology (But Don’t Rely on It)

Speech-to-text apps can be a lifesaver, but they’re not perfect. Don’t be the person who thinks their Scottish colleague is talking about “aye pads” when they mean iPads. Use these tools as a backup, not your main method of understanding.

8. Practise Active Listening

Focus on the speaker’s mouth, body language, and gestures—it’s like watching a foreign film with subtitles, except the subtitles are their facial expressions. Active listening helps you pick up on non-verbal cues that can clarify the message, even when the accent is tricky.

9. Remember: Native Speakers Struggle Too

Even native English speakers struggle with different accents. I once heard a Londoner ask a New Yorker to “repeat that in English, please.” So take comfort in knowing that everyone faces this challenge from time to time.

Bonus Tip: When All Else Fails…

Nod and say, “Interesting perspective.” It works 60% of the time. And hey, sometimes that’s all you need to keep the conversation moving along smoothly.

Remember, communication is about connection, not perfection—so keep listening, keep learning, and soon you’ll be confidently navigating conversations with colleagues from all over the world.

You’re standing at your front door, and the postman hands you a letter. It’s not an email or a quick text—it’s a real, handwritten letter, filled with stories and thoughts that travelled miles to reach you.

There’s something magical about it, right?

That’s what World Post Day on 9th October celebrates: the power of the postal service to connect us across cities, countries and continents.

From love letters to business contracts, the humble postal system has been delivering our thoughts, emotions and dreams for years.

And let’s not forget those exciting moments when you receive an unexpected package. 📦

So today, take a moment to appreciate how far a simple letter can go—and maybe even send one yourself. After all, some messages are worth more than a digital ping.

Who knows? Your words could be halfway across the world by tomorrow. ✈️💌

Do you like sending handwritten or typed letters?

You’re in an important meeting, ready to impress. You confidently mention “the CEO” of your company… But wait! Did you pronounce it like a single word?

Oh dear. Now it sounds as if you’re talking about “c/o” (care of), not your Chief Executive Officer.

Here’s a quick tip to avoid confusion: when saying CEO, remember to pronounce each letter individually—C-E-O. As if you’re spelling it out: See Ee Oh.

If you rush and blend the letters, you might accidentally say something entirely different.

It’s a simple slip, but it can lead to some puzzled faces in the boardroom.

So, next time you’re talking about the big boss, give each letter its moment to shine. It’ll keep your message crystal clear—and maybe even save you from an awkward business blunder.

Now, try saying it out loud: “C-E-O.” Got it? 😉

Ready to trim some unnecessary words and make your English look fit and fabulous?

Why Less is More

Your sentences should be clear and powerful—without the extra fluff. Too many words can weaken your writing.

Let’s give some common word combinations a quick workout:

• “Advance warning” → Just “warning.”
  A warning is always in advance—unless you’ve invented a time machine!
• “Free gift” → Simply “gift.”
  If it’s not free, it’s not a gift. It’s just shopping.
• “Past history” → Just “history.”
  All history is in the past. “Future history” is pure sci-fi!
• “True fact” → Just “fact.”
  A fact is always true. If it’s false, it’s not a fact—it’s a lie.
• “Unexpected surprise” → Just “surprise.”
  If you’re expecting it, it’s not a surprise—it’s an appointment.

The Golden Rule of Word Fitness 🏆

If a word doesn’t add new meaning or information to a sentence, it can probably be left out. Trim the excess, and your writing will be sharper, clearer, and more impactful.

Next time you write, take a moment to cut the fat—and watch your sentences become stronger, smarter, and more elegant.

PS Listen to George’s AI voice read my text: