| What Is The Language Barrier And How Can We Overcome It? |
| Invention Development Advice - Marketing | |||
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From business people trying to export their products or services overseas to the tourist struggling to order from the menu, the language barrier proves an obstacle for many and the only way to overcome the barrier is to understand it.
From business people trying to export their products or services overseas to the tourist struggling to order from the menu, the language barrier proves an obstacle for many and the only way to overcome the barrier is to understand it. To define what the language barrier is, on a simple level, one could say it is the inability of an individual or group of people to communicate with another. When we look into it though, the language barrier becomes much more complex. In the first instance, the language barrier not only impedes communication but it also hinders understanding and the process of building a relationship between the two parties. Secondly the impact of the language barrier will vary depending on the social context. For example - an embarrassing misunderstanding between two strangers sharing a drink in an airport departure lounge whilst waiting for a delayed flight might aid the bonding process but the same misunderstanding between export sales consultant and potential overseas customer could be very damaging to the ongoing business relationship. In the third instance, the language barrier does not just arise because of a single hindrance but is composed of a number of different elements which come together to hamper understanding and communication. The language barrier's most important element is miscommunication. This is usually caused by one party being too informal or using too many metaphors (the sporting connotation 'level playing field' is a popular one) which don't sit well in the more formal business cultures. The process of attribution - where we project our ideas and beliefs onto another - is another important element of the language barrier. Take, for example, the situation where a person begins speaking to you in your mother tongue and you immediately believe them to be as good as you and talk rapidly and fluently only to baffle and most likely embarrass the other person. In another situation you may attribute your values and ideas onto another simply because they speak your language so well, but by ignoring their own cultural values and beliefs you are causing offence. The only way to hurdle the language barrier is to accept and appreciate the cultural differences and learn the actual language - even if it is only a few basic phrases. This is the key to forging strong business and personal relationships. More information: Find out more about language barriers and what you can do about it visit RLN West Midlands
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