According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a nomad is someone who belongs to a group who travel around and do not live in one fixed place. The term digital nomad became popular in the early 2000s and refers to people who use technology to work remotely while travelling.
If you put the term ‘digital nomad’ into a Google images search, you will get numerous pictures of people sitting in a hammock, often in an exotic location, with a laptop on their laps. Being a digital nomad isn’t just about not working in a fixed place; it’s about a lifestyle that allows you to work and travel at the same time. Digital nomads often work in fields like writing, programming, marketing, and consulting. They often have to interact with clients and colleagues from different countries, so it is important for them to use clear and effective English. Below are some common expressions useful in the world of the travelling workers.
Talking like a digital nomad: 8 essential expressions
1. Remote Work
This means working from a location outside of a traditional office, such as a café, hotel, or coworking space. Nowadays there are many cafés that offer free wi-fi to their clients to attract these kinds of workers.
- "My company allows remote work, so I can travel while doing my job."
2. Coworking Space
A shared workspace where remote workers and freelancers can work, network, and collaborate. In big cities like Barcelona, London, and Rome there are thousands of co-working spaces available. There is even a website dedicated to finding co-working spaces worldwide, you can check out the prices at www.coworker.com.
- "I found a great coworking space in Bali with fast Wi-Fi and free coffee."
3. Time Zone Difference
The variation in time between different regions, which affects meetings and communication. For example, when it’s 9am in London, it’s 1pm in Dubai and 8pm in Sydney!
- "We need to schedule our call carefully because of the time zone difference between New York and Bangkok."
4. Asynchronous Communication
A way of communicating where responses are not immediate, allowing flexibility across different time zones. If you send an email from Rome to Sydney at 11am Italian time, you may have to wait over 12 hours for a response because it’s 9pm on the east coast of Australia!
- "Since our team is international, we use asynchronous communication to stay updated without needing live meetings."
5. Passive Income
Money earned with little to no active involvement, often from digital products, investments, or online businesses. This type of income is what many people who have tech startups are aiming for. It sounds easy but remember the investment in time and money is huge before you can start reaping the benefits!
- "I created an online course, and now I earn passive income while I travel."
6. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A tool used to protect online privacy and access websites that may be restricted in certain countries.
- "I use a VPN to securely access my company’s network from different locations."
7. Digital Footprint
The information left online by a person’s activities, including social media posts and browsing history.
- "I’m careful about my digital footprint because I work with international clients."
8. Hotspot
A mobile internet connection that allows devices to access the internet.
- "When there’s no Wi-Fi, I use my phone as a hotspot to stay connected."
Test Exercise
Choose the correct option.
1. What is a "coworking space"?
- a) A traditional office with private desks
- b) A shared workspace for remote workers
- c) A quiet place in a library
- d) A hotel lounge for business meetings
2. Why do digital nomads use a VPN?
- a) To work offline
- b) To protect their online privacy
- c) To increase internet speed
- d) To book flights online
3. What does "asynchronous communication" mean?
- a) Communicating in real-time
- b) Delayed communication that allows flexibility
- c) Only sending emails, not messages
- d) Speaking face-to-face
4. What is an example of passive income?
- a) Earning money from a full-time job
- b) Getting paid only for hours worked
- c) Making money from an online course while traveling
- d) Getting a monthly salary from an employer
5. What is a "hotspot" used for?
- a) Finding a popular restaurant
- b) Connecting devices to the internet
- c) Locating tourist attractions
- d) Keeping track of expenses
6. What is the main challenge caused by time zone differences?
- a) Difficulty in booking flights
- b) Trouble finding local restaurants
- c) Scheduling meetings at a convenient time
- d) Paying for online services
7. Why is a digital footprint important?
- a) It helps you book hotels
- b) It affects your online reputation
- c) It makes websites load faster
- d) It increases your salary
8. What is the main benefit of remote work?
- a) Always working in a traditional office
- b) Having the freedom to work from anywhere
- c) Needing to move to a company’s headquarters
- d) Having to work only during specific hours
Answer Key
- b
- b
- b
- c
- b
- c
- b
- b