Get invite to our events

    Organised by Members Translation

    Can businesses rely on English as a Global Language?

    Picture of PBLINK Editor
    PBLINK Editor 7, June 2022

    English is the most spoken language worldwide and is often considered the universal
    language for business, but can international businesses really rely solely on the English
    language to communicate globally?

    Can you rely on English as a Global Language-2

    Can businesses rely on English as a Global Language?


    The rise of the internet and the increase in expanding trade agreements has made many
    businesses seek international expansion, but in a world with more than 7,100 languages
    choosing the must-have target languages is often tricky!


    Faced with this decision, many business leaders’ toy with the idea of saving some money and
    relying on English as a Global Language. Today we explore whether English can truly be
    used as a global language for business by reviewing its strengths, limitations, and capacity to
    be the main source of communication for international organisations.
    Website Language Optimisation
    Your website is your number one marketing tool to inform, engage and convert interested
    clients, but without translation, you fail to attract a host of international traffic.
    While English remains the world’s most popular international business language, it is only
    spoken by 1.35 billion people, leaving 80% of the world’s population out of reach from your
    business.
    It is no coincidence that the most visited website in the world, Google, hosts up to 149
    languages. Each language you provide represents a new audience you can support.
    Speaking of search engines, businesses that fail to translate SEO keywords are missing a big
    trick in improving their International Google Rankings. If a country’s language and culture
    changes so does their search behaviour and you must ensure your website is fuelled with the
    correct translated keywords to attract international traffic.


    Communicate with Culture

     Most cultures have unique traditions, sensitivities, and nuances, and it is important
    to recognise them in your organisation’s communications. Relying on English
    prevents your organisation from achieving a positive cultural reception worldwide but
    more importantly ignores the incredible diversity our world offers.
    Communicating in an audience’s native language ensures a higher level of
    engagement and prevent multicultural audiences from misunderstanding your
    organisation’s key messaging.


    Don’t forget your Workforce

    It is all too easy to get caught up in how to communicate more effectively with consumers but
    considering your own employment structures internal communication is vital for global
    success.
    Multilingual workforces often struggle to overcome language and cultural barriers resulting
    in a breakdown of communication, missed deadlines or even an unsafe working environment.


    Building Relationships

    At PAB Languages our award-winning translation, interpreting and localisation services
    bring people of different cultures and countries together. Using our team of native speaking
    experts, we support an organisation’s ability to communicate in 200+ languages. While
    businesses can get by on the functionality of using English as a lingua franca, there is no
    doubt that engaging audiences or workforces using their native language will always achieve
    a more positive response and inclusive cultural reception.


    Get in touch today 

     

    PBLINK Stories