Barriers Posed by Different Languages and Cultures

Business communication faces various barriers such as different language and different culture. This is increasingly becoming a topic for the contemporary business. This is so because globalization and internationalization has both facilitated the business at some international locations. Cultural diversity is another barrier to effective business communication, which is also increasingly becoming popular with the advent of business at international locations. However, the degree of barrier is high during the physical contact. Formal way of speaking such as by sending email is a minimal challenge to effective business communication. The problem arises only when there is a physical meeting between people with different cultures and different languages. This is indeed difficult to minimize the challenges, which is because of various spoken languages across the globe and the widely practiced cultures (Beattie & Ellis, 2017). The main purpose of this assignment is to analyze the level of barrier, which the different languages and the different cultures create.

The effect of language on meaning is extensively high. The business communication involves the exchange of communication between the groups of people. The exchange of communication can never happen if the meaning of the language is not understood. This is indeed very difficult to understand each language spoken in the world. This is highly commendable if someone does it but it is hardly possible. This is because there are approximately more than 200 languages spoken across the globe (Small Business, 2017). This is indeed difficult to understand the different languages spoken by different people. Language translator can help to overcome the issue; however, they would not be there at all the places (Gerver, 2013). In such situations, this becomes extensively difficult to understand the meaning of the spoken language. This is very much evident that without having any knowledge of the different language, it is difficult to understand the speaker. Such communication gap makes it difficult to understand the message that the speaker wants to convey. Nevertheless, such business meetings are meaningless. A business meeting should be in the form of a bilateral understanding of the language, which is never a scenario between the groups of people with different languages. This is not just confined to business meetings between people of different countries; it is rather problematic also between the people from the same country but with different languages (Richards & Schmidt, 2014). For example, in China, seven official languages are spoken. In addition to this, 59 other known languages are spoken in the country. In Russia, 27 official languages are spoken whereas 75 other minority languages are spoken in the country (Small Business, 2017). Due to the high numbers of diversity in the languages that are spoken, it becomes very difficult to understand the meaning of each language. Therefore, it becomes difficult as well to bring effectiveness into the business.

The Relationship between Language and Culture

The relationship between different language and culture is very strong. Language can be understood as a reflection of different culture. For example, when a child is born it learns everything that surrounds him or her (Tefl.net, 2017). The communication, which a child develops, is just the mere reflection of his or her cultural background. A child never goes to an institution for speaking his or her first word. It just happens because the parents try to make him or her speak the way they used to speak (Chiu & Qiu, 2014). Someone from an English family does speak English fluently. On a same note, someone from an Arabic family is well versed with the Arabic language. Interestingly, they understand the meaning of their communication because they are taught in such way that they know the word to use to convey a particular message. Possibilities are also there for a people speaking and understanding multiple languages but are from one culture. This happens when the particular person try to learn different languages and thus acquire knowledge on the different languages. A people with one culture but with different languages would have a diverse worldview than the one who is limited to the one cultural language. Despite of this fact, the language is still the orientation of the culture, which passes on from one generation to another. The family background and the parent are the first source to learn the language. However, the learning process persists even when they are into academic schools (Chiu & Qiu, 2014). It then becomes the responsibility of their teachers that they teach him or her various cultures as well. This can open up a new world to them where they would have the knowledge of different cultures. This is indeed important to understand the world differently than the ancestors did.

At times, certain things can cause barrier to the communication (Henderson, Cheney & Weaver, 2015). Some of them are:

The speaker and the listener may not belong from the similar background or may not have the same taste (Locker & Kienzler, 2013). In such a situation, it becomes difficult for both the listener and the speaker to communicate properly. The listener might not pay attention to the things that the speaker is saying, which will cause hindrance in smooth communication.

It has been seen that many people suffer from the issue when they cannot express properly what they want to say (Darics, 2015). They suffer from nervousness whenever they have to speak to someone or have to present any view. In such situation, the listener is unable to understand the perspective of the speaker and thus, there will be a barrier in proper communication.

Solutions for Effective Communication

The above-mentioned issues in effective communications can be solved by taking certain measures. They are:

Before starting speaking about any topic or subject, the individuals should talk about their interests (Thomas & Stephens, 2015). Small questions about various issues will help in developing an idea about the tastes and preferences of each other.  In this way, they will be able to get an idea about the interests of each other and they can communicate properly on any common topic.

Many professional classes are there that helps the individuals to overcome the challenges of speaking (Rapanta, Nickerson & Goby, 2014). They help in developing the personality and the person gradually gain the confidence to speak. Any individual who is facing the issues of emotional barrier can take up these classes so that they can indulge in proper communication.

Use of jargon, euphemisms and ‘management -speak’ in business context can have both positive and negative aspects. When one hand, some critics think that use of jargons might helpful in introducing new terms  to the communication rather than plain dry communication, on the other hand, many people think that jargon is at times used as an inside code (Cornelissen & Cornelissen, 2017). In business communication, jargon should be avoided as it might create issues among the employees. Many times , it has been seen that there are sub-groups forming in an organizations. The group may not be working together but they form the groups mainly because of the common interests. Those types of groups might make use of jargon to share any inside joke or fact. However, such types of communication might affects the entire work environment as other employees might feel left out. If any of the people in business context is using a jargon then the meaning should also be clearly defined immediately so that the remaining employees might know the topic on which they are talking about (Henderson, Cheney & Weaver, 2015).

Euphemism may be helpful in business context as all the individuals mix with each other in the professional level (Locker & Kienzler, 2013). If any of the employees have any issues with anybody then they can use euphemism to tone down the harshness. On the contrary, some people have a very different idea about euphemism. Euphemism may lead to compromise in transparency in communications is their perspective (Darics, 2015). A communication is successful only when it is transparent and clear. Senior members can use euphemism when they are not happy with the junior employees. Nonetheless, for the employees in the similar level can use direct conversation rather than using euphemism. The more transparent will be the employees in the similar level, the better will be the outcome of the work (Thomas & Stephens, 2015).

After evaluating different aspects of communication, it can be concluded that culture both from the social and business perspective will influence communication. Different types of language characterize different types of culture. However, while in a common platform the meaning of the language is highly important. In business, people should know the things that are said so that there can be smooth functioning of business. On one hand, different language gives diversity and on the other hand, conveying the meaning of the language is alos a necessity. If the people do not share common interest then it can create barrier to communication while some people can be nervous while speaking that can lead to miscommunication. People should know the interest of each other and can take communication classes to eliminate those barriers. Use of jargon and euphemism can have positive and negative sides but they should be used in the appropriate manner o that there is no misunderstanding.

References

Beattie, G., & Ellis, A. W. (2017). The psychology of language and communication. Routledge.

Chiu, C. Y., & Qiu, L. (2014). Communication and culture: A complexity theory approach. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 17(2), 108-111.

Cornelissen, J., & Cornelissen, J. P. (2017). Corporate communication: A guide to theory and practice. Sage.

Darics, E. (2015). Introduction: Business communication in the digital age—Fresh perspectives. In Digital business discourse (pp. 1-16). Palgrave Macmillan UK.

Gerver, D. (Ed.). (2013). Language interpretation and communication (Vol. 6). Springer Science & Business Media.

Henderson, A., Cheney, G., & Weaver, C. K. (2015). The role of employee identification and organizational identity in strategic communication and organizational issues management about genetic modification. International Journal of Business Communication, 52(1), 12-41.

Locker, K. O., & Kienzler, D. S. (2013). Business and administrative communication. McGraw-Hill.

Rapanta, C., Nickerson, C., & Goby, V. P. (2014). “Going Mobile” in Business Communication at an Arabian Gulf University. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 77(4), 357-375.

Richards, J. C., & Schmidt, R. W. (2014). Language and communication. Routledge.

Small Business. (2017). Language barriers and international trade. [online] Available at: https://smallbusiness.co.uk/language-barriers-and-international-trade-2110138/ [Accessed 8 Jun. 2017].

Tefl.net. (2017). The Relationship Between Language & Culture and the Implications for Language Teaching | TEFL.net. [online] Available at: https://www.tefl.net/elt/articles/teacher-technique/language-culture/ [Accessed 8 Jun. 2017].

Thomas, G. F., & Stephens, K. J. (2015). An introduction to strategic communication.