Difference between revisions of "Will there be a standard language in a multi-cultural company?"

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Simply put: yes there will be a standard language.<br><br>
Simply put: yes there will be a standard language.<br><br>
Most current large multinationals already deal with a multi-cultural working environment on a day-to-day basis. These companies use one single language to use for their internal documentation, often English. Because Europe has several large languages the choice for a standard language will often also depend on the country of origin of a company. For example a French multinational operating mostly in French-speaking countries has no incentive to change its internal communication to English.<br><br>
Most current large multinationals already deal with a multi-cultural working environment on a day-to-day basis. These companies use one single language to use for their internal documentation, often English. Because Europe has several large languages the choice for a standard language will often also depend on the country of origin of a company. For example a French multinational operating mostly in French-speaking countries has no incentive to change its internal communication to English.<br><br>
Despite the fact that a single language can be corporate policy, there will often occr deviations.
Despite the fact that a single language can be corporate policy, there will often occur deviations.
*Individuals with the same background will continue communicating in their own language.
*Individuals with the same background will continue communicating in their own language.
*National subsidiaries will use the language of their specific country.
*National subsidiaries will use the language of their specific country.
*Several partners/clients will require their documentation in their own language (e.g. Italian for Italian suppliers).<br>
*Several partners/clients will require their documentation in their own language (e.g. Italian for Italian suppliers).<br>
This is not necessary a bad thing, the danger however is that certain streams and pools of information will become inaccessible by those using the standard language.
This is not necessary a bad thing, the danger however is that certain streams and pools of information will become inaccessible by those using the standard language.

Latest revision as of 18:11, 27 March 2006

Simply put: yes there will be a standard language.

Most current large multinationals already deal with a multi-cultural working environment on a day-to-day basis. These companies use one single language to use for their internal documentation, often English. Because Europe has several large languages the choice for a standard language will often also depend on the country of origin of a company. For example a French multinational operating mostly in French-speaking countries has no incentive to change its internal communication to English.

Despite the fact that a single language can be corporate policy, there will often occur deviations.

  • Individuals with the same background will continue communicating in their own language.
  • National subsidiaries will use the language of their specific country.
  • Several partners/clients will require their documentation in their own language (e.g. Italian for Italian suppliers).

This is not necessary a bad thing, the danger however is that certain streams and pools of information will become inaccessible by those using the standard language.