Ten reasons why corporate language policies can create more problems than they solve

ABSTRACT

An increasing number of multilingual organisations such as multinational corporations (MNCs) choose to address linguistic diversity through corporate language policies, for example by adopting a common corporate language. Although a common corporate language may improve efficiency of communication at the front-line level, previous research has demonstrated that there are several potentially negative consequences associated with the implementation of such policies. This conceptual paper reviews the role of language policies in multilingual organisations, and identifies ten crucial language policy challenges in international business and management.

KEYWORDS:

• Common corporate language
• international management
• internal communication
• language policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Guro R. Sanden is Assistant Professor at the Department of Culture and Global Studies at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on the role of corporate language strategies in multinational corporations and the relationship between national language policies and corporate law. Before entering academia, she held various industry positions, including management trainee in the Danish insurance company Tryg.

ORCID

Guro R. Sanden http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5450-6320