Case Study Review: Language and Globalization: “Englishnization” at Rakuten

Employers are increasingly searching for multilinguals in order to widen their client pool. Someone who is able to communicate through multiple languages immediately have an advantage over someone who cannot by simply having the ability to communicate with more people. As a result of

English today is the most commonly used global language for commerce and it is the main language of the international diplomacy. And maybe the most important for them, it’s the most common language on the internet. Also, the language that integrand

a. Workplace “English-only” rules are illegal unless they are required for the job being performed

In “Lost in Translation,” Lera Boroditsky writes to people within businesses or people who are wanting to invest in companies that work with other countries. She writes to inform and tell the reader that if getting involved with other countries you need to know what to expect. The examples she provides in her article show that language in some countries does differ from others, but it isn’t like that in every country. She writes to inform business people what they need to know before they get involved with other countries. This is why this article is published in the Wall Street Journal, Boroditsky wants all business companies to know what to expect before they get involved. Throughout the article I pulled out rhetorical choices that make the article what it is. Lera Boroditsky credibility shows through past references, significance to audience, statistical jargon through logos, and personal anecdotes.

Also, the offense was the derogatory comments not the use of Spanish. However, in Erica’s defense, it is understandable that a supervisor who does not understand Spanish would not know for sure if staff were making derogatory comments if staff used Spanish. No staff should create situations where customers might question whether the staff were talking about them negatively. However, when implementing a English-only policy, Rachel, the lead cleaning assistant, had much better ideas towards instilling the policy. Rather than adopting a blanket policy, it would be better to adopt a policy that only restricts the use of Spanish when it involves customers, and negative discussions about customer appearance should not be acceptable in any language at any time. In addition, although the case states that all staff knew how to speak English, it also states many of the staff had difficulties. Therefore, exceptions should be included in the policy for these employees who have extreme difficulties speaking

When entering a new market, at least one of the company representatives must know the language of the country. Even though the most common language used in the international business world is English, many countries have a very poor command of the English language therefore it is highly beneficial to have an employee that speaks the language. It is in benefit of the business to get the best deals, make negotiations and agreements however without a common language this can sometimes lead to misunderstanding and hiring a translator can be very expensive.

“The latest report from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), titled "Exporting is Good for Britain But … Knowledge Gaps and Language Skills Hold Back Exporters," examined how multinational corporations that experienced miscommunication between employees and with clients did not meet sales goals. The report found a direct link between language skills and reaching economic objectives among international businesses, with 70 percent of the 4,600 respondents saying they had no foreign language aptitude.”

Question 21: Which of the following is a factor behind English being accepted as the global business language?

The countries of the world during this era began to get together in international organizations and start to communicate. However, it was difficult to run multilingual operations and therefore they decided to use the English language in their international interactions.

The strategy here will have put the hardest work, educating and gaining the population trust which is brand loyal, and comprehendible on their-own language (Hawkins & Mothersbaugh, 2010).

Communication is universal around the world, severely impacts every aspect of people’s lives, and is an integral part of doing business in foreign territories. According to Satterlee (2014), “Individuals and organizations within each culture communicate in manners unique to their culture” (p. 43). Thus, understanding the culture and forms of communication is vital to conducting business around the world efficiently. Spanish is the dominant spoken language in Chile, though locals speak other native languages such as Mapudungun (Kurian, 2017). Additionally, English is another language that is spoken and taught in Chile; the Chileans recognized the underlying benefit of being bilingual as a competitive advantage in the global marketplace (Larenas,

TIS should enforce its Community Language Policy to improve students’ English skill and to make sure that nobody feels isolated. Before, ignoring the school policy, the students were speaking in several languages. By enforcing our renewed Community Language Policy, the time for the students to speak in English will be much longer, and it will definitely improve their English skill. Also, by using one community language inside the school, nobody will feel isolated from not being able to join the conversations. To make it a better school, TIS should enforce its Community Language Policy.

Many corporate are now conducting training on cross-cultural communication for their workforce. In the US, opinions of cultural experts are invited before taking a judicial decision. In short, every person or organization can make small steps to minimize this

Globalization has recently reached the corporate world, and seemed to be instantaneous. Around 40 percent of large U.S. companies have reached overseas, allowing them to profit from the markets of foreign countries. Due to the rapid increase of companies becoming multinational, major businesses seek to hire employees who are able to speak more than one language, as multilingual candidates are equipped

Kelly’s company put her in an unrealistic situation of requiring an answer within two days of extending her the position abroad. Kelly’s company should not have assumed because she had great success in business relationships in London and Germany, which have similar cultures to the United States, it would have implied she would have been just as successful in Japan. The company lacked in preparing her in the customs and cultural ways of the Japanese, instead only considering the financial compensation as enough motivating factor. The company should have provided training of Japanese for the family, assisted in Joe’s networking in Tokyo to locate a job and should have been readily available for Kelly’s family with any questions and provide timely follow-up. Kelly lacked in doing her due diligence into the Japanese culture and fully understand what it would take to move her family abroad. A little research on her part into Japanese culture, customs and etiquette would have provided her with forethought on how to handle herself in Japanese