（2014-10-03）【行銷人的英文課】一對一的談事情，還是部門會議，又或是集團性的大型聚會？表達「會議」的英文字如何用的精準？
《Vocabulary for Different Types of Meetings or Gatherings》
（文╱Robert Tolmasoff）Below is a short description of words used to describe meetings and gatherings. Sometimes the difference is the purpose, while in other cases it is the type of gathering.
Convention-The term “convention” is used to describe a large gathering of those who share a similar interest or hobby. Conventions are often regular events, either occurring annually or regularly.
Some examples of the use of convention are listed below.
Political groups-Every four years Democrats and Republicans hold a convention to nominate candidates for president.
Professional groups-13th Annual Convention of the Taiwan Academy of Pediatric Dentists
Conference-A “conference” is a gathering to discuss a topic or series of topics. The purpose of a “conference” is what separates it from a “convention”. A “conference” does not have to be large. With a conference, the purpose is to share information and discuss topics. A “convention” on the other hand can have a broader purpose. While “conventions” tend to be group based, conference tends to be topic or issued based.
Some examples of the use of conference are listed below.
Sales conference
Business conference
International Conference on Higher Education
Symposium-The term “symposium” is most often used to describe a meeting or conference where several speakers give talks on a selected topic. Within a conference, there could be several different symposiums on various topics. For example, a medical conference could have a symposium on how to deal with patient pain and another symposium on a treatment or technique.
The key to remember about symposium is that it is normally a series of speakers, at least two or more, who will provide information or position on a related topic.
For example, a conference on higher education may have a symposium on technology in the classroom. In that symposium, a series of speakers would deliver talks on topics related to technology in the classroom.
Lecture-A lecture is a speech about a single topic by a single speaker. At a conference there could be a full or half-day lecture by an expert on a single topic. Unlike a symposium, a lecture is for a single topic and is delivered by a single speaker, not a series of speakers on a related topic.
Forum, Round Table Discussion, Panel Discussion-The terms “forum”, “round table discussion” and “forum” are similar. All of these could have a group of experts debating or offering opinions on a topic. In most cases, these events have a moderator to direct the conversation and ensure panel members all have an opportunity to speak. In some cases, the audience is able to present questions to the moderator or ask questions directly.
*Robert Tolmasoff is a trainer, editor, and author based in Taipei. His clients include international companies as well as individuals looking to sharpen their communications skills. Robert’s last two books, 上班族完美英文e-mail輕鬆寫 and 1000 Essential Business English Terms, are available in books stores and from McGraw-Hill Taiwan. Have ideas for future columns or questions? Email Robert at rtlmsff@gmail.com
