English as a Basic Business Language: Positive and Negative Impacts

In modern life, the world economy has developed significantly and today it is an
inevitable part of the multinational companies (Al-Dabbagh, 2005). English is a widely
spoken language all over the globe and comparatively, it is much easier to learn. In the
process of communicating, English language is the most preferred one. It doesn’t matter
if the official language of the country is English or not, the basic language of business
communication is English only. Anywhere in the world, English is the most spoken and
understood language. However, international English plays an important role as a
common language in a multilingual environment, but it may also bring linguistic and
cultural challenges. Therefore, in the business field, English holds both positive and
negative impacts.
There are several reasons as to why English is the basic business language.
First, the integration of English can increase international communication between
native and non-native countries, thus increasing economic trade. For example, the
establishment of a language can help a variety of companies. They can coordinate well
with one another to obtain raw materials more conducive to the development of the
company. At the same time, it may facilitate business cooperation between different
multinational companies, such as medical engineering and environmental engineering
(Carrier, 2018). In order to develop foreign trade, it is vital for countries to learn to
communicate in English. It is the common language and a basic condition for foreign
trade. The companies can only communicate well with one another if they have a
common language ground. However, it is not always possible.
Workplace diversity is at its peak lately and having one common language can
help solve the communication issues in the company itself. Language is a great barrier
to productivity and having one tongue can be of great use. So, it can be said that
benefits definitely outweigh the problems and not the other way around. The key to a
successful business organization is effective communication between the teams and the
manager. If they cannot settle on a common ground to communicate, it will be difficult to
coordinate and thus the achievement of organizational goals will seem far-fetched.
Better communication enables people to share ideas and the brainstorming will help in

increasing the efficiency (Cohen & Kassis-Henderson, 2017). The company’s
significance will be increased and sharing the language will also help in the promotion of
cultural diversity. International trade and commerce is a great way to initiate it
(Rogerson-Revell, 2007). Thus, removing the language barrier will help the company
generate better results and contribute to economic development. For example- the
expansion of European banks and companies made it essential to have English as a
medium of communication (Rogerson-Revell, 2007). The smooth and proper flow of
communication can be beneficial in creating and accepting business opportunities. The
teams will be more efficient and business interaction will ensure proper flow of raw
materials and funds.
English acts a bridge for all the people from different regions. It helps them
interact with one another help in the accomplishment of projects (Bloch & Starks, 1999).
It has a positive impact on global business that cannot be ignored. However, the
impacts as mentioned are both positive and negative. For instance- there are many
organizations that require employees to have a certain level of expertise in English. This
criterion closes the opportunities for those who lack in the fluency. Moreover, the MNCs
can also face issues because of the same. The way people speak and understand
English as native speakers and as a second language speaker is very different. This
difference can cause issues which are not generally kept in view. This can make
business more complex (Rogerson-Rivell, 2007). English can be a common language,
but for native speakers it might be an issue and the coordination may not be as good as
expected. This can be problematic in establishing a common working model. This might
be due to the variations in lifestyle and environments. It is not uncommon to
misunderstand or misinterpret crucial information and this act as a hindrance. Unclear
instructions will ultimately lead to inefficient results. Hence, understanding the thoughts
and instructions of the native speakers is rather complicated. For example- Many
Chinese students are unable to adjust in the English learning environment in their own
country. There is a shortage of English Learning Resources and job opportunities for
young people. Not having the desired high proficiency in English can be a barrier in
getting the jobs in the MNCs even if the candidate is skilled. It is mandatory to have a
prescribed level of expertise in English for applying in the multinational corporations. It