Comments on: Do you have a language strategy ?

By: catarinaalexon

catarinaalexon — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:32:46 +0000

True Claire, they will find translators. Using easy language and getting rid of accents help people all over the world understand us. Maybe you and your husbans could use geek expressions?:-)

By: catarinaalexon

catarinaalexon — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:08:59 +0000

Having a language strategy applies mainly to multinational companies operating all over the world. So it boils down to being practical and efficient. And ,not to forget, that the main objectives of companies is, simply put, to make money. All such companies, regardless of origin, have to chose one language for internal communication to function. And to chose Swedish, German, Arabic or Chinese simply doesn't work unless you only hire people of the same nationalities. If companies don't perform well they will cease to exist and the employees will be made redundant.

Interesting that someone finally made a comment suggesting that it's an academic question and a question of dominance. We would be interested in knowing why companies have to take issues such as dominance into consideration. It's not a question of which language is better than other languages, simply a question of operating a company in the most profitable way. If Igbo was the most widely spoken language in the world, Igbo would be chosen. That's why in the future Mandarin may be chosen.

By: nduneche

nduneche — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:51:10 +0000

Catarina, I think the term language strategy is a bit too academic and conjures controversy. Every business dealing with cross national and multicultural employees and customers should as a matter of internal policy define its preffered language of internal communication. The primary objective here is that it unifies the workforce to face the market and grow their walletshare. However, if you choose to stretch this issue further you will be stepping on toes on which language is better than the other. strictly speaking language popularity in international economic relations simply suggests reward for dominance. today it is English and french, who knows tomorrow it might be Igbo language.

By: clairecappetta

clairecappetta — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:39:28 +0000

I have worked internationally with people in finance and if the client couldn't speak English, they would always find a translator. It is because English has been dominant in the business world for so long.
However, saying that my native language is English, having been raised there, but once in a while people have problems with my accent. I try and water it down dramatically so I am understood until I call the UK. My husband says he has no clue what I'm saying and asks me to speak English, so he can understand…

By: catarinaalexon

catarinaalexon — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:59:01 +0000

Glad we agree that, at the moment, English is the best choice, A.K. Swedish multinationals have English as company language. That doesn't stop Swedes to speak Swedish among each other.

Is it possible to study Mandarin already at "high school" level in the UK? Cannot remember if it is.

By: akandrewwriter

akandrewwriter — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:45:51 +0000

I think in an international situation then , at least at the moment, English would seem to be the common denominator. That said, should that not be kept for international communication? Surely if the predominant language in, for example, a French company is ..er french, then it would seem a hardship for the majority of employees to be forced to speak a non-native language. One's position in the company must surely come into play.
I also agree with Sherryl that Mandarin or Cantonese needs to become part of the school curriculum. US business needs to support the educational needs for future prosperity.

By: catarinaalexon

catarinaalexon — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:41:53 +0000

Glad you agree, Anne. But how many people speak Esperanto? In most non English speaking countries English are thought as a second language, so for now, it's the logical choice.

By: Anne Bechet

Anne Bechet — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:24:26 +0000

I agree with the choice of a language for internal use but why english? There is a language called esperanto that should be considered as well

By: catarinaalexon

catarinaalexon — Wed, 30 May 2012 15:04:11 +0000

Glad you agree about the importance of a language strategy, Bethany.

By: Bethany Lee

Bethany Lee — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:30:48 +0000

Goodness, I can't imagine the confusion there would be if we spoke in different languages in a company. There are already so many communication breakdowns even within one language--i.e. people interpret things differently, read into things, listen to tone of voice, body expression--that if you would add another factor, a different language altogether, you are just causing even more room for miscommunication. So, no, I don't think having a language strategy and speaking one language within a company is a violation of human rights. It's practical. My recent post Blog Link Up Resource Page