Although English is referred to as the international language of business
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The dominant nature of English as the world’s global trade language is certainly convenient for Americans, as well as citizens of other English-speaking countries. But the fact that it remains the global language of commerce creates controversy in certain circles. Show
Which Languages Could Replace English?French used to be the preferred language of international exchange, as it was the language of the educated. But now, people speak English in the worlds of business, academia, travel, and diplomacy.
Should English Remain the Language of Business?Native English speakers stand to benefit the most from this situation, but is it really equitable to the global community at large? There are many who consider the widespread use of the English language to be a purposeful advancement of the political agenda of the English-speaking world. And as China becomes a stronger and stronger economic player, the Chinese government has been pushing for Mandarin to be the preferred language of business. Mandarin is the language spoken by most people the world over, with Spanish being the second most widely spoken language. English is third, but it takes more than raw numbers to make a lingua franca. Many Spanish and Mandarin speakers are relegated to communities that wield little to no global power, so there’s less motivation for non-native speakers to learn those languages.
The Hollywood EffectEnglish, however, is the language of much popular music, the language of Hollywood, and the language of business worldwide. According to professionals, it looks like English is here to stay. The British Council reported that, by 2020, 2 billion people will be studying English, because they deem it “a basic skill needed for the entire workforce, in the same way, that literacy has been transformed in the last two centuries from an elite privilege into a basic requirement for informed citizenship.” But although English is staying strong, that doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been a shift in the landscape. The ability to speak another language is becoming more and more vital. The National Journal reports that, while only 10% of native-born Americans can speak a second language, 56% of European Union citizens can.
Do Businesses Need to Market to Non-English-Speaking Populations?Whether or not English should remain the international language of business, it seems as though it will, at least for the time being. With that being said, any business that wants to reach non-English-speaking populations should translate their marketing materials and brand messaging into the language of their target audiences. Although the majority of online content has historically been written by, and for, English-speaking populations, marketers are starting to realize that localizing their content for different cultures can allow their business to gain a deeper connection with consumers around the globe. Related Posts
05/07/2020 How Certified Translation Services Can Save You Time and MoneyA translation project can be challenging to manage. Finding reliable, competent translators will not only make the process easier, but it can also… Read Post  07/17/2020 Translating Social MediaSocial media marketing is essential to the success of international businesses. If your customers or target audience are in foreign countries, or… People often talk about English as a global language or lingua franca. With more than 350 million people around the world speaking English as a first language and more than 430 million speaking it as a second language, there are English speakers in most countries around the world. Why is English so popular, though? And why has it become a global language? People often call English the international language of business, and it’s increasingly true as international trade expands every year, bringing new countries into contact. Many of the best MBA programs are taught in English, so speaking it well can put you in a position to get the best training and credentials. Most multinational companies require a certain degree of English proficiency from potential employees so in order to get a position with a top company, more and people are learning English. What is your English level? If your ambitions lie in science or medicine, you can’t neglect English either. Much of the technical terminology is based on English words, and if you want to learn about the latest developments and discoveries from around the world, you’ll read about them in journals and research reports published in English, no matter whether the scientists who wrote them are from China or Norway. And, of course, with good conversational English, you’ll be able to network and make important contacts at conferences and seminars. English also opens doors in the academic world. Of course, if the best program in your field is in an English-speaking country, English will give you the opportunity to study with the top scholars. Western universities are attracting more and more visiting scholars, students and professors from all around the world, and their common working language is English. As well as studying and teaching, attending international conferences and publishing in foreign journals are some of the key steps to success in academia. In order to speak at these conferences or publish in these journals, excellent English is essential. Journalists and writers around the world are finding a good command of English to be an increasingly useful skill. Even if you’re writing your articles and doing interviews in your own language, with good English you can get background material from international wire services and papers and magazines from around the world. You can interview foreign businessmen, diplomats and maybe even get sent to cover overseas stories. Good English skills mean that you are not reliant on translators and can work faster and more accurately with English information sources. If you want a career in travel, English is absolutely essential. As the international language of aviation, pilots and cabin crew all need to speak English. Even if you’re not up in the air, speaking English accurately will ensure you are able to communicate with clients and suppliers all over the world. So, what’s stopping you from learning this global language? With all the English resources available on the internet and so many other English speakers around the world to practice with, there’s never been a better time to start learning English. Pick up a book, learn a few words, or even start a course today and take your first steps towards becoming one of nearly 800 million English speakers in the world. Is English the international language of business?One of the biggest struggles multinational companies have is communication, and the better they do it, the more success they have. This is the reason many large corporations have mandated English as their official language.
Why English is the international language of business?With a total of 1.75 billion speakers all over the world, English is the undisputed global language of computing, aviation and increasingly, of business. As such, speaking the English language fluently provides you a competitive edge in the job market – especially as business becomes increasingly international.
What language is the international language of business?English is the most widely spoken language for international business. While there's no universal language, English is as close as it gets to a global language for business.
What should be the language of international business explain why?Most national and international organizations use English as a mode of communication for all official and legal matters. Proficient knowledge of the language assists in the smooth conduct of operations, such as regular exchange of emails, presentations, and sales and marketing.
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