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The Importance of Understanding Cultural Differences in International Business Communications

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Due to globalization, organizations rely on international transactions to take place to keep their business running. Even with knowledge of how important international interactions are for their companies’ success, miscommunication occurs and someone involved in the transaction is left scratching his or her head. This is a result of the lack of cultural training and understanding. This paper will discuss the different implications that have been discussed in the international business world. This paper will address some of the common barriers in international business communications, the steps that have been taken to alleviate these problems, and future consideration for international business communication. What are some common …show more content…

However, it is uncommon for native English speakers to speak another language. It becomes two sided, where one supports having English be the leading language, while others strongly disagree. (find support) James Calvert Scott mentioned in his article “the English language is not a monolith but a surprisingly diverse family of related varieties, each of which has idiosyncrasies” (Scott, 2000). This is one of the core reasons as to why forming a completely universal and world known version of the English language is virtually unreachable. Scott goes on in his article to discuss some of the problems that businessmen and women experience when they conduct international business, primarily with British English speakers. The article focuses on comparing the phrases and words that are used in American English and British English that can cause confusion when used among the different types of people. Something as simple as the word “allocate” can be confused in a simple conversation. In American English, “allocate” means to spread costs among multiple cost centers or units, whereas in British English, “allocate” means to attribute all costs to one center or unit (Table 2; Scott, 2000). So if the term “allocate” is used in a simple transaction among British and American businesspersons, it needs to be made

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