Blog Writing: Overcoming Language Barriers for Effective Communication

This essay delves into the pervasive issue of language barriers in business communication, offering a comprehensive analysis of its causes, effects, and potential solutions. The essay begins by defining the language barrier as a linguistic obstacle to effective communication, emphasizing its significance in international business operations. It then identifies various language-related barriers, including poorly expressed messages, words with multiple meanings, faulty translations, and the use of technical jargon. The essay proceeds to explore practical strategies for overcoming these barriers, such as using plain language, utilizing reliable translation services, employing interpreters, incorporating visual communication methods, and practicing repetition and respect. Furthermore, the essay examines the impact of language barriers on a firm's profitability, employee relations, and overall operational efficiency. The analysis concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of language barriers and foster effective communication within a business context.

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BLOG WRITING

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LANGUAGE BARRIER
August 1, 2019
INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
The language barrier is basically a figurative phase which is being used for the purpose
to refer to the linguistic barrier to the communication. In other words, it can be said that the
language barrier occurs when a group of people tends to communicate in a different language.
Here, when people do not have some common ground with an aim to express their feeling and
intention to others then the respective thing is called by the name of the language barrier.
The language barrier is being regarded as one of the most important aspects of
communication. Additionally, it is also being considered as one part of barriers to
communication that each and every firm faces when it tends to make a decision to start its
operation in the international market. The communication that happens between people should
be effective. This means that the things that are being communicated by one individual should be
understood by another individual in the same manner. In this context, communication between
individuals will become ineffective when different barriers arise such as language and noise, etc.
In the given article, the major discussion is being carried out in relation to the language
barrier. In accordance with the given context, a detailed explanation will be given about the
different language-related barriers. In addition to this, here description will also be given about
the ways with the help of which assessed language-related barriers can be overcome. The
description of the language barrier will also be given in relation to the company. Finally, at the
end of the analysis conclusion will be drawn in which the things that are being assessed in the
analysis will be summarized.
DIFFERENT LANGUAGE RELATED BARRIERS
We have discussed the major meaning of the language barrier, now we will go in the in-
depth details in relation to the same. Thus, now we will gather information about different
barriers that are associated with the language in an effectual way. The details about the same are
given below:
Badly expressed message
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The language barrier occurs in the situation when the messages are not expressed
effectively. Herein, it can be depicted that it is due to the obscurity of the language only, there is
a greater possibility that wrong interpretation will be made in relation to any kind of message.
The given barrier occurs when an individual will not make a correct selection of words. On the
other hand, repetition of words and wrong formation in relation to the sequence of the sentence
are also being regarded as another main cause behind the language barrier. This is also called
by the name of linguistic chaos in an effectual way.
Symbols or the words with the different meanings
It is also being regarded as another type of language-related barriers. In this regard, it can
be said that the communication will become completely ineffective when the receiver of the
message completely misunderstood the message given. For instance, the term value has a
different meaning. The term value is sometimes used to denote the price of the specific product.
Similarly, it is also used to denote the importance of the specific aspect of the life of an
individual. Thus, if a person will interpret the given type of words in a different manner then in
the given situation the meaning of the whole word or the sentence will be transformed. This will
leads towards the language-related barriers in an effectual manner.
Faulty translation
It can be considered as the third main reason behind the occurrence of the language
barrier. In this regard, for example, the manager has received much information from its senior
personnel and he will translate the received information for his employees as per his own
understanding. In this respect, it can be said that here information received is mold by the
individual as per the knowledge and the understanding of the receiver. Thus, if the receiver has
interpreted the message in a wrong way then the respective thing is called by the name of the
language barrier. However, if it is interpreted in a correct way then the language barrier can be
avoided in an effectual way.
Use of technical jargons
It is the fourth form of the language barrier. Herein, it can be said that while
communicating with another individual, it is very much important that simple and easy to
understand words should be used for communication. This is because it is not necessary that all
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individual will have knowledge of the technical words that are being used by people in
communication. Hence, it can be depicted that these are some common form of the language
barrier. It is because of given barriers only an individual will have to face different problems in
life.
OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIER TO COMMUNICATION
It is very much important for the individual that it should make an effort in terms of
removing all the barriers that are related to communication. This is due to the reason that if not a
necessary steps are not taken in relation to the given aspect then in this situation the respective
problem could become very much critical in future. Further, it will also enable effective
communication between two people. In this context, it can be depicted that there are different
ways examined with the help of which different language barrier to communication can be
overcome. Details are given below:
Using the plain language
The very first step that can be taken with an aim to avoid the language barrier is to use
the plain language. For example, always try to communicate in the language of the individual
which he/she knows better. Suppose, we are speaking with an individual who is from India,
hence in this situation, if we know Hindi then in this situation we should try to avoid
conversation in English. Similarly, suppose the manager is speaking with the non-technical
workers then in the given condition, it should not use many of the technical words during a
conversation. This is because such type of things will lead towards the language barrier in an
effectual manner.
Finding reliable translation services
The language barrier can also be avoided by getting information about reliable
translation services. For example, an individual is working in some international firm then in this
situation a very first step which he/she should take that is to identify the translation services. By
taking help from the given type of services, an individual is better able to deliver its services in
the international firm. However, it is to be evaluated that appointing the translator is being
proved as very much costly affair for the individual. Thus, here the given thing is the
responsibility of the company that it should arrange a translator for the employees.
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To make an appointment of the interpreters
It is also being regarded as another useful step with the help of which the language
barrier can be eliminated. Herein, it can be said that missing information is being considered as
an important factor that leads to the language barrier. Thus, with the help of the interpreters, the
respective activity can be avoided. This is because; here interpreter will make sure that all the
people should understand the things which are being communicated by the receiver.
Using the visual method for the communication
The language barrier can also be avoided with the assistance of visual methods of
communication. For example, the manager of the firm is addressing a large number of firm who
are from the different cultural background. Then in the given type of situation, a manager should
make sure that it should communicate its things with the help of visual methods like PowerPoint
presentation and projectors, etc. Herein, the manager should use more pictures and videos, etc in
order to communicate things to a large number of people. It is by complying with a given type of
activity only all the issue related to oral communication can be avoided.
Using the repetition
Each individual has different knowledge level with an aim to interpret the things. In
accordance with the given context, for the individual, it is very much important that it should
always repeat the communicated things two or three times. This is due to the reason that it has
been seen that the things that are communicated in a repetitive manner are being easily
understood by the other individual. In addition to this, asking the question can be regarded as one
of the most effective ways with an aim to make a judgment that whether the person is able to
understand the communicated things or not. For example, if the receivers have understood the
communicated message then in this situation he/she will put forward some of its opinions in
relation to the same. However, it can be evaluated that if it has not understood the message then
in this situation they will not give any reaction and will just see the things with a blank face.
Should be respectful
Just like other types of communication barrier, the language barrier is also proved as very
much frustrating for the individuals. It is the reason why it demands understanding, patience, and
conscientiousness. In this regard, it is the responsibility of the manager that it should make sure
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that no one including him also should never raise the voice while communication. In this regard,
the manager should assure that it should talk slower instead of louder. In addition to this, it
should also assure that the things which are being communicated by him should be clearly stated
to others. Further, asking the question right after communicating anything is the good action
which will help in making the judgment that the things communicated are fully understood by
the people or not. Overall, it is very right to say that these are some regarded as important ways
with the help of which the barriers related to communication can be avoided in an effectual way.
The given thing will also enable a proper conversation between people.
EFFECT OF LANGUAGE BARRIER ON FIRM
Till now we have discussed many things about the language barrier. Now it’s time to
look the given barrier in the eyes of the firm’s perspective. Herein, it can be said that the
language barrier will have a significant impact on the operation and the activity of the
enterprise. The details about the same are given below:
 It affects the profit of the firm: For the success of the firm, communication between
parties is very much important. This is because; it is with the help of communication only
a firm is able to communicate its things to the respective individual. For example, a firm
has purchased some raw material from the supplier who speaks a different language. The
supplier has delivered material to the firm, but it is not as per the requirement which is
being communicated by the firm’s employees. The main reason behind this is the
language barrier. It is due to the presence of a given aspect there are chances that the
firm has to face delay in the task of supplying raw material to the customers. The given
thing will also affect the brand image of the company. On the other hand, the ultimate
impact of all these things will be seen on the sales and profitability related condition of
the corporation in an effectual manner.
 It tends to raise conflicts between employees: Due to the language barrier, the conflict
between employees arises because the different facial expression has varied meaning in
the culture. For example, in some culture, the sign of thumbs up is considered as work is
done. Thus, in some culture, it is considered as good work or as the activity to express
good work gestures to others. Similarly, there are many signs which will lead to creating
conflicts between individuals. In this regard, it can be said that conflict between
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employees is always a bad condition for the firm. This is due to the reason that conflict
will lead to creating unrest in the firm. On the other hand, it will also affect the firm
activity of attaining sales and profit. Overall, it is very right to say that for firms it is very
much important that they should take language barrier very seriously and should make
efforts in terms of removing the given issue within a limited time frame. If not performed
then the firm has to bear a lot in the future.
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STRATEGIES USED BY COMPANIES TO DEAL WITH LANGUAGE
BARRIERS
For the company, it is very much important that it should take timely actions in relation
to the issue like a language barrier. This is due to the reason that any kind of barrier will have a
direct impact on the sales and profitability related condition of the firm. On the other hand, the
barrier will also hamper the performance of the firm in the market. It is the reason why for the
firm it is very much essential that it should take proper and timely actions in relation to the
assessed problem such as the language barrier in an effectual way. In this context, there are
different strategies examined that can be used by firms with an aim to deal with the given type of
barrier in an effectual way. The details about them are given below:
 Making an appointment of the translator: For any multinational company, it is very
much significant that it should always take steps with an aim to appoint the translator in
its company. The main role of the respective individual would be to enable the proper
communication between two individuals. Here, the respective individual will also make
sure that the message which is being communicated by one individual should be got by
another individual in the same manner.
 Arranging a language-related training and development program in the company: The
second measures that can be taken by the company is to arrange a training program for
the employees. For example, at present, it has been seen that English has become a
business language in many countries. Thus, for the firm, it is important that it should
arrange the training related to the English language. Here, it is by complying with a
given type of activity only the goals and objectives of the firm can be accomplished
within a specific time frame. This will also resolve the main issue of the firm such as
the language barrier.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the conducted analysis that the issue of the language barrier is
not only restricted towards the corporate but it also affects people in their day to day life also.
However, with the help of measures that are explained above significant actions in relation to the
given issue can be taken. The given thing will also enable the corporation with respect to
performing the work of an enterprise without any kind of problem in an effectual way.
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