The more international experience one has, the more one becomes aware of the hidden differences and of the inevitable risks of misunderstanding.

Despite the fact that I am a native Anglophone, with advanced degrees from top New York schools (including a masters in both international business and finance), my professional experience spanning Asia, Europe and the U.S. only progressively revealed to me that – 'mastery' of the English language is no guaranty for transparent exchange. 

Further, as my understanding of foreign cultures grew, it also became clear that the nuances proper to each either evaporated or became distorted in international discourse. 

When foreign ideas are exchanged via a foreign language,

the unexpected is the norm.