Learning the Language: an unexpected challenge

The new expatriate or global leader’s overall proficiency is strongly measured by their level of speaking the new country’s language. It has been shown that it is a key predictor of international adjustment (work, interaction and general) and outcomes (job satisfaction, withdrawal intentions and performance).

Language skills allow Global Leaders to quickly form social networks, sponsor teamwork, foster quick problem solving, and apply the skills that continuously will develop their own job satisfaction as well as their team’s. From a relationship perspective, proficiency in the new language will expedite cross-cultural adjustment as the Global Leader starts getting along with locals and quickly understands and assimilates cultural differences. A more advanced use of the local language will allow expatriates to embrace appropriate work values and internalize them appropriately in the workplace.

The host-country’s language can have a big impact on international adjustment

On the other hand, insufficient language proficiency can act as a natural barrier to intercultural communication in the workplace and have a negative influence on adjustment, thus reducing the Global Leader’s motivation to interact with the local co-workers.

But everyone speaks my language!

This is true: one can find that in many global companies, everyone is proficient enough in English, and the Global Leaders may think that there may be no need to learn the new language, but their social interactions will be limited to other foreigners or to a small number of locals who manage the language well or are proficient in another shared language. Also consider that expatriates can be excluded from some networks, due to the natural tendency of people to interact in their native languages.

English is the language of the workplace, and the local language is the language of the culture.

Language is one of the most important tools that Global Leaders need to facilitate communication — Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

Breaking the language barriers

Not only should we consider the learning of a language as a whole, but there are also various types of languages that can become cultural barriers:

Technical/company language We can also call this the exclusive company language. As anyone that has worked in the corporate world or even a small, specialized company, the use of unique technical vocabulary, meanings of terms, and use of acronyms can often lead to associated mistakes when confronted by newcomers.
Colloquial language Even despite good language skills, there may come a need to pay close attention and dedicate some time to colloquial language that is incomprehensible for the new Global Leader or Expatriate.
Ambiguity of words Some languages are known for their greater ambiguity of words thus making speech or written text open to multiple interpretations. This makes the meaning difficult or impossible for a person recently learning the language or let alone the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) program.
Videoconference and simple calls Technology has skyrocketed in the last years, and the quality of transmitted signals can hamper communication via video- and tele-conferences. In a same country with the same language, problems can occur because of diferences in accents. Post meeting notes are a wise decision that prevent mistakes and misunderstandings and increase the value of time spent.
Native speakers’ syndrome Communication with native speakers can seem more difficult than with non-native speakers. Non-native speakers tend to be more patient and speak slowly, paying more attention to use simpler words and wanting to be understood properly. On the other hand, presentations made by native speakers may provide first hand subject-matter expertise.
Exclusion barrier Newcomers or the new Global Leaders can sense some discomfort when foreigners start to speak in their native language during meetings or teamwork, feeling excluded from the group, but as one Japanese boss once told me, “Give us a minute while they sort out this one subject, we do not want to offend you, but they need to quickly express their concerns.”
Language barriers in sales Law requirements or customer or user documents aren’t always translated into a local language. The lack of a local name for a product can also be a barrier in sales.
Financial consequences of communication in functional language the costs of translation into functional language and language training can have a great impact on the company’s or group’s budget.