Richard D. Lewis

Unreferenced|date=November 2007Infobox Biography
name = Richard Donald Lewis

Richard Lewis is widely considered to be one of the world's most renowned practitioners in the field of cross-cultural communication and linguistics. He speaks 10 European and 2 Asiatic languages and is currently chairman of [http://www.crossculture.com/ Richard Lewis Communications] plc, an international institute of language and cross-cultural training with offices in over a dozen countries. His best-selling book "When Cultures Collide" is regarded as the classic work on intercultural issues and was the Spring main selection of the US Book of the Month Club in 1997 - see books by Richard Lewis below. His company, Richard Lewis Communications Ltd is a leading provider of cross-cultural training and briefing to major international companies (eg Rolls-Royce plc), organisations (eg World Bank) and governments (eg government of Finland). His company is also recognised as in the first league in delivering language training to executives, public servants and politicians. Richard Lewis is a member of the Society for International Education and Research (SIETAR) - a keynote speaker at their [http://www.sietar-europa.org/congress2007/en/programme.htm congress in Sofia] in April 2007.

Early life

Richard Donald Lewis (Don) was born in Billinge Higher End, Lancashire in 1930. His family had its roots in the area. His grandfather, Jake, had been a face worker in the mines for over 60 years - still at it at 74. He attended local schools - ending up at Ashton Grammar School. He has degrees in languages from a British university and a diploma in culture and civilisations from the Sorbonne.

Business

Richard Lewis built up his own businesses by exploiting his inborn ability to master foreign languages. He spoke three at the age of 12. By the time he was 25 he spoke 10 languages and set about opening language schools and organising courses in several European countries. His refinement of teaching methods gained him students from many walks of life - including Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gary Lineker, Lasse Virén and the Prime Minister of Finland. He set up his language business in Japan where he became tutor to Empress Michiko and several other members of the Imperial Family.

Knighthood

He was knighted by the President of Finland in March 1997 in recognition of his services in the cross-cultural field relating to the training of Finnish ministries in preparation for EU entry (1995) and EU Presidency (1999)

portsman

An avid sportsman Richard Lewis had many friends and acquaintances in the sporting field, among them Pelé, Stanley Matthews, Terry Neale, George Graham and Lasse Virén.

Travel

He has traveled extensively - 120 countries. He has mixed with the Lapps, explored remote islands in the South Pacific, recruited teachers in war-time Vietnam and penetrated closed countries such as Cambodia and North Korea.

Family

Richard Lewis married Jane in 1963. They have three children Caroline, Richard and David. They live at [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/441260 Riversdown House] , a 14th century mediaeval manor house on a 40 acre estate near Winchester, Hampshire. This serves as headquarters for his businesses. He still owns the [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/46513 Olde House at Home] , an old coaching inn on the outskirts of Wigan, which he visits regularly.

Written works

Richard D. Lewis has written extensively on cross-cultural issues.
* "When Cultures Collide" ISBN 1904838022
* "Cross Cultural Communication: A Visual Approach" ISBN 095343981X
* "Humour Across Frontiers: Round the World in 80 Jokes" ISBN 0953439828
* "The Road from Wigan Pier: Memoirs of a Linguist" (autobiography) ISBN 0953439801

External links

* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2006/08/15/expatmain.xml Become a culturally competent expat. Related articles can be found at the bottom of this page]
* [http://www.crossculture.com/ Richard Lewis' corporate website]
* [http://blog.crossculture.com/ Richard Lewis' blog]