The Role of Language in Global Business Communication Strategies

This presentation delves into the critical role of intercultural language in international business communication. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of understanding different languages for successful business interactions, particularly in a global context. The presentation then categorizes language into high-context and low-context languages, explaining their characteristics and providing examples. It also addresses language diversity, examining the challenges and issues arising from the presence of multiple languages and dialects in the workplace, including the use of slang, colloquialisms, and argot. Furthermore, the presentation discusses vocabulary equivalence and inequivalence, emphasizing the difficulties in achieving exact translations and offering solutions such as the use of translators. A case study is used to illustrate how language can categorize individuals into groups. The presentation concludes by contrasting linear and non-linear languages and answering questions related to the content. A comprehensive bibliography supports the information provided.

Intercultural Language In
International Business

Introduction
Hello welcome to this presentation , my name is ( clients name)
and I would like to talk to you about how language affects
business communication especially intercultural business.
Unfortunately like most people in the U.S, my understanding of
mandarin is limited to the usually greetings of, “Nǐ hǎo ,
Zǎoshang hǎo, and Zàijiàn,” which mean, “ hello, good morning
and good bye,” respectively. The ability to understand each other
when communication is essential for ensuring relations and
dealings in life and business. This is reflected in the Chinese
saying, “Zài shāngyè jiāoliú zhōng chénggōng de guānjiàn,” which
when loosely translated means , “ in business communication is
key to success.” Understanding language is important because
language holds people together as groups, differentiates them into
groups and controls the manner through which individuals think,
shape concepts, make judgments and perceive actions.

High-and Low Context Language
 Language can be categorized in two namely high context and low context language. This slide will review
high context language
 High context language refers to language that transmit very little with regards to the explicit message , but
instead focuses greatly on the cultural and nonverbal aspects of that which is not said.
 This largely entails reading between the lines by observing the nonverbal cues to understand the messages
intended meaning.
 In a high context language one focuses more on the a person’s body language to decipher the message
being passed than the actual words being said.
 Silence is largely used as a tool of communication in high-context cultures and communication is in direct
rather than direct
 Cultures that are regarded as high-context cultures include Arabs, Koreans, Chinese, Latin Americans and
Japanese.
 For example in Chinese the tone is largely relied upon in the deciphering of the message.

Low Context Language
 A low-context language is a form of language in which the explicitly of the message is
stressed.
 To achieve this the message is usually given in different ways so that the receiver
understands.
 A example of a culture that utilizes low-context language is U.S.
 A key characteristic of low-context language is that the communicator clearly states
what is wanted or expected.
 Low-context language favors directness and verbal cues and hence tend to view
high-context language as a waste of time.
 It is essential to note that in both low and high context societies perceived
disagreements between the nonverbal and verbal message, the signals which take
priority are the nonverbal ones instead of what is being said.

Language Diversity
 The diversity of accents and dialects within a language posses a great challenge
the attainment of successful communication.
 There are over 311 spoken languages and dialects if which 162 languages
and indigenous with 149 languages used by immigrants.
 In the work setting language diversity causes problems for both applicants and
managers.
 Other key issues resulting from language diversity are non locals
communicating in their native language at work, a practice that is not viewed
favorably by locals.
 In the United States informal language takes the form of colloquialisms,
acronyms, slang, euphemisms, and euphemism.
 The use if a co-culture language may assume the form of argot and cant and
can serve a number of functions.
 Slang include idioms and a number of other informal language
 Colloquialisms refer to informal phrases or words that are usually associated
with specific regions of a country
 Argot- This refers to vocabularies used by noncriminal, nonprofessional groups.
 Cant- This refers to vocabulary of undesirable co-cultures

Vocabulary Equivalence
 The fact that language is influenced by different aspects of culture makes exact the
exact translation from one language to the other almost impossible
 There exist a lot of vocabulary inequivalences ranging from grammatical syntactical
equivalences, idiomatic equivalences to experiential and conceptual equivalences.
 One of the most popular forms of inequivalences is grammatical syntactical
equivalences.
 A person might say “¡Viva la papa!” instead of “¡Viva el papa,” when referring to the
Pope. In doing this the individual will be saying ‘Long Live the Potato,’ instead of ‘Long
Live the Pope.’
 This language error is common especially in nonlinear language
 This can be solved through the use of translators
Case 4
 From the case it is evident that the two Germans use language as a means of
categorizing themselves into different groups.
 The use of language in their conversation divides it into two categories namely host
and local language. This is evident
 The use of local language serves to introduce the need of an interpreter in the
conversation and makes the other party that does not understand German to feel left
out.

Linear/Non Linear Language
Linear language
 It has a beginning and an end
 It is logical
 It is object oriented
 It perceives time on the continuum of past,
present and future
Non Linear Language
 It is tradition oriented
 It’s circular
 It’s subjective

Question & Answer
Are nonverbal aspects an integral part of low-context language?
Why? No. This is because nonverbal aspects are largely used in
high context languages
List three examples of both high context and low context
communication? (High Context – Korean, Chinese, Spanish)( (Low
Context- English, Scandinavian, German)
List three examples of slang popularly used by people in your area?
Bromace, Frenemy, Ginormous
How does language differentiate people into groups? Language
differentiates people into groups by affecting individual
understanding of communication. This implies one group of
people is able to understand language while another is not.
How would people from a low context culture react to a speech
given by a person from a high context culture? They will be
unreceptive to the speech and might fail to understand it.

Bibliography List
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