Chapter 2: The Roles of Language in Intercultural Business Communication

Acronyms

Are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a phrase or series of words, often used to simplify complex terms or names (e.g., NASA, UN, WTO).

Company Language

Is the official language chosen by a corporation for internal and external communication, standardizing interactions across global subsidiaries and offices.

Cultural Adaptation

Is the process by which individuals or organizations adjust their behaviors, practices, and communication styles to align with the norms and expectations of a different cultural environment.

Cultural Fluency

Is the ability to understand, navigate, and communicate effectively across cultural contexts, including awareness of norms, values, and communication styles.

Cultural Literacy

Refers to the knowledge of cultural references, norms, and practices necessary for effective communication and interaction within a specific cultural context.

Cultural Metaphors

Are symbols, phrases, or expressions that carry culturally specific meanings, conveying complex ideas or values (e.g., the U.S. "melting pot" or East Asian "face").

Cultural Priorities

Are the values, beliefs, and practices a culture deems most important, shaping behavior, decision-making, and communication.

Cultural Sensitivity

Is the awareness of cultural differences and the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Colloquialisms

Are informal words or phrases used in everyday speech but typically avoided in formal writing or professional settings (e.g., "What’s up?" as a greeting).

Cultural Snobbery

Is a negative attitude that one’s own culture is superior and often leading to dismissive or condescending behavior toward others.

Ethnocentric Staffing

Is an approach where managerial roles, including those in foreign subsidiaries, are filled exclusively by employees from the company’s home country.

Geocentric Staffing

Is a strategy that selects the best candidate for a role regardless of nationality, fostering a global perspective within the organization.

Interpreter

Is a professional who translates spoken language in real time, bridging communication gaps between speakers of different languages while accounting for cultural nuances.

Language Proficiency

Is the ability to use a language effectively across speaking, listening, reading, and writing, often measured by fluency and accuracy.

Linguistic Fluency

Is the ease and accuracy in speaking, writing, and understanding a language, including mastery of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Multicultural workforce

Comprises employees from diverse cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds, necessitating intercultural communication and management strategies.

Polycentric Staffing

Is an approach where local employees fill managerial roles in foreign subsidiaries, promoting cultural adaptation and regional expertise.

Translator

Is a professional who converts written text between languages, preserving the original meaning, tone, and style in the target language.