Business Meeting in Lango
Conducting a business meeting within the Lango cultural context requires a blend of understanding both the traditional communication norms and the modern business etiquette. The Lango people, primarily from northern Uganda, maintain a culture that values respect, hierarchy, and community, which permeates into the professional and business environment as well. Here are some guidelines and cultural nuances to consider when engaging in business meetings with Lango participants:
Preparing for the Meeting
- Schedule in Advance: Respect for time and proper planning is important. Schedule meetings well in advance and communicate the agenda early to allow participants to prepare adequately.
Examples of words used in scheduling a meeting in advance;-
English | Lango |
Utilisation | Yore aber |
Efficient | Ber |
Money | Cente |
Managers | Otwero |
Materials | Jami |
Work | Tic |
Workloads | Tic dwong |
Optimising work | Dwogo tic |
Resources | Jami |
Production processes | Yore me tet |
Purchase | Wilo |
Plan | Yika |
Allocate | Keto |
Human | Dano |
Controlling | Pugo |
Advance | Anyim/con |
Arranging | Cano |
Waste | Balo |
In | Iyi |
Administrative | Aran |
Business | Biacara |
Preparing | Yubo |
Schedule | Keto/yiko |
Save time | Gwoko cawa |
Focus | Tute |
- Understand Hierarchical Structures: Recognize the hierarchical nature of Lango society. If elders or community leaders are part of the meeting, their status should be acknowledged, and they should be given the opportunity to speak first or lead certain parts of the discussion.
Examples of words used in understanding hierarchical structure;-
English | Lango |
Inventory | Gwoko jami |
Recognise | Ngeyo |
Nature | Kit |
Society | Lwak |
Acknowledged | Moko |
Larger business | Biacara adongo |
Organisation | Iryonget |
Employees | Otic |
Employer | Aco otic |
Whether | Ka |
Connecting | Kubere |
Multiple | Apologies apapat |
Management | Twero |
Decision | Tam |
Making | Yubo |
Flows | Mol |
Top | Malu |
Down | Piny |
Command | Golo |
Chain | Nyor/jegele |
Authority | Twero |
Different | Pat |
Relies | Lubere |
Typical | Ikokome |
Structure | Gedo |
Hierarchical | Rwom i rwom |
Beginning the Meeting
- Formal Greetings: Start with formal greetings. In Lango culture, greetings are significant and often involve asking about one's well-being, family, and general health. This can set a positive tone for the meeting.
For example of greetings used include;-
English | Lango |
Meeting | Cokere |
Beginning | Cako |
Formal | Opore |
Professional letter | Balu opore |
Greetings | Amot |
Good morning | Ibuto ningo? |
Dear Sir/Madam | Bang icoo/dako |
Balu wi yamo | |
Good afternoon | Irio ningo? |
Hello | Itye? |
How are you? | Itye ningo? |
Nice to meet you | Ber me rwate kedi |
Hi there | Kano tye? |
To the hiring manager | Bot/bang en acoo otic |
Let us begin | Wek wan ocak |
Welcome everyone | Ajolo wunducu |
It is good to see you. | Obedo aber me neno wu. |
How was business? | Biacara owoto ningo? |
How is your family? | Jo ituri tye ningo? |
How is your business doing? | Biacara ni tye atimo ningo? |
- Introduction and Titles: Proper introductions are crucial. Use titles and full names when introducing participants, showing respect for their positions and roles within the company or community.
For examples of introduction and titles include;-
English | Lango |
Introduction | Anyut |
Titles | Rwom |
Names | Nying |
Groups | Wal/eryonget |
Meeting titles | Nying cokere |
Shaping future | Yubo anyim |
Innovations in action | Roce i tic |
Power of collaboration | Teko me note |
Exploring new horizons | Nwongo wot anyen |
Career development and growth | Dongo kede mede me diro |
Names of groups | Nying eryonget |
Unity updates | Karacel oyubo |
Unity unveil | Karacel oyabo |
Group groove | Eryonget teko |
Team talk time | Cawa me lok eryonget |
Team triumph | Eryonget oyito |
Story board | Eryonget icina |
Group lions | Eryonget engatu |
Champions | Oteka |
Winners | Oloo/olany |
Conducting the Meeting
- Respectful Communication: Communication should be respectful and mindful of the hierarchical structure. Allow elders or those in leadership positions to speak first. Direct confrontation or disagreement with such individuals should be handled with diplomacy and tact.
For examples of respectful communication for business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Respectful | Wor |
Communication | Kubere |
Respect time limits | Wor cawa ikome |
Demonstrate | Por |
Professionalism | Opore |
Interactions | Nywako |
Interest | Magoba/miti |
Engaged | Tute |
Be on time | Bedo i cawa |
Kill notifications | Neko ngec |
Consider your dress | Par ruk ni |
Recap | Nwoyo |
Appreciations | Pwoc |
Time and effort | Cawa kede yele |
Location | Kanoro |
Contact | Cim |
Facilitate | Kony |
Be prepared | Bed itere |
Keep an open mind | Gwok en tam kan-aler |
Respect other's time | Wor cawa jo-okene |
- Use of Language: If all participants are fluent in Lango, using the local language can foster a more comfortable and inclusive atmosphere. However, clarity is key, so if any participants are not fluent, a common language (such as English) should be used, possibly with translations provided.
For examples of language used in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Use real words | Tic kede kop ikokome |
Avoid slangs | Gengo lok-atata |
Know the difference | Ngeyo en papatere |
Use correct grammar | Tio kede lok aber |
Be precise | Bed atir |
Be concise | Bedo icawa |
Eliminate verbal pause | Gengo wayo lok |
Collaboration | Karacel |
Innovations | Ryeko anyen |
Better customer | Owil abeber |
Partnerships | Note |
Vendors | Ocatwil |
Good environment | Kan aber |
Builds credibility | Gero kwiri |
Fosters positive work | Mio tic opore |
Participants | Jo-abedo-iye |
Fluent | Ber-atek |
Local language | Leb paco |
Comfortable | Oromo |
Inclusive | Pi-jo-duc |
- Indirect Communication: Lango often prefer indirect communication, especially when discussing sensitive topics. Using stories, analogies, or hypothetical scenarios can be effective ways to convey messages without causing offense or discomfort.
For example of indirect communication in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Stories | Icina |
Analogies | Poro |
Hypothetical scenarios | Alubere-kede neno |
Indirect | Pe-atir |
Style | Kit |
Pose | Cung |
Silence | Ling |
Emails | Balu-wiyamo |
Memos | Poyo |
Edit/adjust | Yiko/yubo |
Tone of voice | Kit me dwan |
Body language | Lok kom |
Gestures | Anyut |
Advantages | Adwogi |
Facial expressions | Anyut wang |
Missteps | Kalo-tyen |
Convey | Cwal |
Point of view | Tam me anena |
Speaker's intention | Tam alok |
Straightforward | Atira |
Non-verbal indicator | Anyut anyut |
I told her I would meet her there the next day. | An akobe en an nwongo arwate en kunu i nino olubo. |
- Listening and Participation: Encourage active listening and allow time for participants to share their thoughts. Interruptions should be minimized, and speakers should be given full attention as a sign of respect.
For example of listening and participation in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Prepare yourself | Yubere keni |
Listen for meaning | Winy pi ryeko |
Respond appropriately | Gam alubere-kede |
Try some products | Temo jami okene |
Brainstorming sessions | Cawa miyo-tam |
Meaningful conversations | Nywako ryeko |
Increase productivity | Med tic |
Ideate different solutions | Kato-kede ageng apapat |
Raise potential roadblocks | Kato-kede ageng atimere |
Focus on the speaker | Winy en alok |
Seek feedback | Yeny agam |
Team members | Jo eryonget |
Absorb sharing | Tyeko nywako |
- Decision-Making: Decision-making in Lango culture is often communal. Therefore, in a business context, strive for consensus where possible, allowing all members to voice their opinions before reaching a decision. This approach respects the collective wisdom of the group.
For examples of decision making in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Align | Cano-iyore |
Sharing | Nywako |
Directed | Tiko |
Agenda | Wi-lok |
Objectives outlined | Miti ocano |
Alternative solutions | Tam okene |
Critical thinking | Tamo atut/akwiri |
Generating ideas | Kato-kede tam |
Group activities | Tic eryonget |
Sharing | Nywako |
Ranking preferences | Cano miti |
Final options | Tam omoko |
Brainstorming | Geco-tam |
Voting | Bolo-kwir |
Evaluating options | Ngiyo yi-tam |
Information gathering | Nwongo kop/tam |
Actionable ideas | Tam atio |
Active participation | Bedo-iye |
Environment | Kan-orumo |
Strive for consensus | Yele pi tam-omoko |
Concluding the Meeting
- Summarization and Action Points: Summarize the meeting's key outcomes, decisions, and action points to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. Assign responsibilities clearly and respectfully.
Summarisation and action points of a bsiness meeting include;-
English | Lango |
Agenda review | Roto wi-lok |
Briefly | Wie-wie |
Topic | Wi-lok |
Subtopic | But wi-lok |
Main discussion | Kokom pora |
Decision made | Tam omoko |
Series of notes | Lok olubere |
Summarise | Dolo-lok |
Comprehensive | Karacel |
Date | Nino-dwe |
Time | Cawa |
List of attendees | Nying jo atye |
Responsible parties | Jo amako |
Location | Kabedo |
Agenda items | Wie-wie jami |
Discussion points | Nywak akokome |
Decisions made | Tam omoko |
Action items | Tic jami |
Follow ups | Lubo |
Closing remarks | Lok cego |
Next steps | Yoo olubo |
Attachments | Amako |
- Appreciation: Express gratitude to all participants for their contributions and time. Acknowledging the value of everyone's input reinforces respect and strengthens professional relationships.
Appreciating a business meeting includes;-
English | Lango |
Appreciation/acknowledgement/gratitude | Pwoc |
Positive addition | Mede aber |
Give them gifts | Mio gi mot |
During opening remarks | Icawa yabo cokere |
During closing remarks | Icawa giko cokere |
Recognise them | Nge gi |
Enjoyment | Camo-kwo |
Host an event | Ket en kwera |
Bonus/incentives | Mot |
Organise a happy hour | Yub cawa yomcuny |
Professional development opportunities | Cawa dongo kakare |
Qualities of someone | Bero a dano |
Fitness opportunities | Cawa yubo-kom |
Thank you for a job well done. | Pwoc pi tic otiyo aber |
New projects | Tic anyen |
Social media | Ngec i wiyamo |
Feed them | Pit gi |
Being on time | Bedo i cawa |
Contributions | Rac |
Professional relationship | Wat/awot kakare |
- Follow-Up: Establish a clear follow-up mechanism, whether through formal minutes, emails, or subsequent meetings. This ensures accountability and progress on action items.
Follow up of business meeting include;-
English | Lango |
Follow up | Lub en |
Keep it short | Wek bed acek |
Action items | Jami tic |
Next steps | Yoo olubo |
Email sequence | Balu wi-yamo olubere |
Who is responsible for each item | Nga ame kwako pi gin acel-acel. |
Provide a meeting recap | Mii wie-wie cokere |
Decision made | Moko tam |
Key takeaways from the meeting | Ngec a pire-tek oyai i cokere. |
Get in touch the same day | Lub en kubere i nino acelno. |
Follow up with value | Lub kede pire-teko |
Meeting date | Nino cokere |
Develop a plan moving forward | Kato-kede en yuba awot anyim |
A call to action | En lwongo me tic |
Express gratitude | Nyut pwoc |
Write a compelling subject line | Co en akwako yoo wilok |
Say thank you. | Kob apwoyo yin |
Show appreciation | Nyut pwoc |
Send it within 24hours of the meeting. | Cwal en iyi-akina cawa24 me en cokere |
Accountability | Tic-otiye |
Meeting minutes | Ngec cokere |
Cultural Sensitivity
- Understanding Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to non-verbal signals, as they can provide additional context or indicate agreement, disagreement, or discomfort that may not be verbally expressed.
Examples of understanding non-verbal cues in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Understanding | Niang |
The way you listen | En kit a- yin winyo |
Person's feet | Tyen dano |
Watch for hand signals | Nen en anyut cing |
Look | Nen |
Clarity | Niango |
Move | Wot |
React | Timere |
Care | Gwok |
Truthful | Ateni |
Match up | Cacal |
Increase trust | Med gen |
Rapport | Wat |
Revealing the secrets | Kobo en emung |
Pay attention | Mio cawani |
Proximity | Acok |
Mirroring | Goyo-cal |
Head movement | Wot wic |
Additional | Medere |
Context | Tye-iye |
Agreement | Yee |
- Respect for Traditions: If the meeting coincides with traditional Lango events or holidays, be mindful and respectful of these occasions. Adjusting meeting times or acknowledging these in your scheduling can show respect for Lango culture.
Examples of respect for traditions in business meetings include;-
English | Lango |
Etiquette | Cik |
Understand each other | Niango ngat acel-acel |
Build trust | Medo gen |
Productive outcomes | Ber adwogi |
Behaviour | Tim |
Not having your phone out | Pe gamo cim ni oko |
Office | Ka-tic |
Provide agenda | Mio ngec |
Be punctual | Bedo icawa |
Be realistic | Bedo yin |
Start weeding | Cak doyo |
Conduct yourself | Bero ken |
Follow the golden rule | Lub en cik apiretek |
Let everyone speak | Wek jo-duc lok |
Carry yourself in a respectable manner | Bed keni i kit woro |
Contribute | Rac |
Don't save your questions | Pe i Kan apeny ni |
Clean up after your meeting | Yubo i yonge cokere |
Coincides | Orwate |
Incorporating | Keto-karacel |
Smoother meetings | Cokere apwot |
Incorporating these cultural considerations into business meetings with Lango participants can lead to more effective, respectful, and productive interactions. Understanding and respecting cultural norms not only facilitates smoother meetings but also helps in building strong, long-lasting business relationships.