Language Dynamics in International Business Communication
Summary
Language dynamics in international business communication encompass the strategic use of linguistic resources to negotiate power, identity and legitimacy across cultural boundaries. As firms engage with diverse stakeholders, language choices shape negotiations, knowledge exchange and organisational cohesion. The interplay between a global lingua franca and local languages gives rise to complex power relations, influencing self-perception, credibility and inclusion. Digitalisation and advances in machine translation are altering traditional translation power dynamics, yet human-mediated linguistic nuance remains crucial for trust and relationship building. Recent trends highlight the role of language policies in shaping corporate culture, the ethical implications of language diversity and the need for multi-level theoretical frameworks that integrate insights from linguistics, psychology and management studies. Understanding these dynamics is essential for practitioners seeking to harmonise global connectivity with local relevance and for scholars aiming to advance a coherent research agenda on language in international business.
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Language Dynamics in International Business Communication publication trend
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Technical terms
Lingua franca: A common language adopted by speakers of different native languages to facilitate communication in international settings.
Epistemic injustice: A form of unfairness in which individuals’ knowledge or credibility is undermined due to language barriers or social biases.
Code-switching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a single conversation or communicative context.
Translation power dynamics: The influence and control exercised by translators or translation processes that affect the flow of information and negotiation outcomes.
References
- Language in intercultural business interactions: A self-perceived power perspective. Industrial Marketing Management (2023).
- Language as a Source of Epistemic Injustice in Organisations. Journal of Business Ethics (2024).
- Foreign languages in advertising: Theoretical implications for language-related IB research. Journal of International Business Studies (2023).
- Language in International Business: A Review and Agenda for Future Research. Management International Review (2017).
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