You may think that English is the lingua franca for business and the globalized world, and you’d be correct, but how long will English be the lingua franca?
With the emergence of revitalized indigenous languages comes the understanding of the importance of preserving languages as a tool for reconciliation not just for access to varied sources of wisdom, ways of being and differing worldviews. This awareness means that even if having just one common language seems efficient at the moment, the reality is that we need to preserve all languages for a more positive and sustainable long term.
Additionally, English is only spoken by around 17% of the global population. This includes both native and non-native speakers. How many people and markets are we inadvertently leaving out of our services and offerings?
Why does it make sense to speak other languages as entrepreneurs: Simple Numbers
Let me ask you, what is the purpose of a business? And, no, it’s not just to make profits for shareholders. The purpose of a business is to satisfy the specific needs of a society, a community, or individuals. If that’s the case, when we only communicate in English, we are only targeting the needs of native English speakers. Or indeed, only those who are fluent enough in English, who had access to English classes or travel. This means only 17% of the globe can benefit from our service or product.
This number increases significantly when you add just one more language such as Chinese, Hindi or Spanish, which adds another 14%, 8% or 6.8% to your reach.
Reasons why polyglots are better entrepreneurs
Emotional connection
As Nelson Mandela said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
How do you create emotional connections with your potential clients, collaborators or partners? You do this through authentic communication, vulnerability, empathy, and a deep understanding of other people’s needs and culture.
Empathy
“According to most models, empathy consists of at least three core elements:
(1) The ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others via different communicative cues such as facial expressions, speech, or behaviour.
(2) A cognitive component, also referred to as perspective taking or theory of mind, describes the competency to take over another person’s perspective while maintaining the essential distinction between self and other.
(3) An affective component, that is, sharing emotional states with others or the ability to experience similar emotions as others.
Referring to (2), the cognitive component, speaking different languages is an effective way to embrace another person’s perspective. Every language offers us a different perspective to understand the world from, and when we learn a new language, we learn a “built-in” mindset and worldview. When we learn a new language we access different perspectives. So, more languages equal more empathy. Also, more languages provide for better problem solving (precisely for the exact same reason).
When there is only one language in a conversation, even if that language is common for all parties, there is only one frame of reference, one perspective.
English is the current language for business. Sometimes English is used between native and non-native, or between non-native speakers. In fact, there are more non-native English speakers than native speakers, so the second situation is quite common.
Now imagine this situation:
- Speaker A: native English speaker (monolingual) – 1 frame of reference / 1 perspective
- Speaker B: non-native English speaker (bilingual) – 2 frames of reference / 2 perspectives
Speaker B can convey ideas offering two perspectives, while speaker one can only use one stand. So, speaker B has more chances to better communicate. Also, from the listener’s point of view, the more perspectives one is familiar with, the more chances of better understanding the other person’s message.
Vulnerability
Any language learner knows well the feeling of vulnerability. You know how it feels to be a beginner in any skill. It is frustrating. Being a beginner in a language means that you will feel like a child when communicating with others. And you feel like a child with every single language you learn, which means that you get quite comfortable with this vulnerable stage in which your ability to communicate like an adult is non-existent. Vulnerability is at the root of authentic leadership and meaningful connections. It is a skill that any “successful” language learner acquires. And by successful, I mean any language learner that doesn’t quit. It’s part of the deal. No vulnerability means no language acquisition.
A deep understanding of other people’s needs
How does multilingualism help you to understand other people’s needs? This connects to the ability to have conversations with people that belong to different cultures using their mother tongue. Do you remember Nelson Mandela’s quote? Having conversations in the other person’s mother tongue opens up an emotional channel and fosters trust. Also, you can read newspapers, blogs, and opinion pieces to improve and learn. You can listen to podcasts or watch movies in other people’s mother tongues. All this can bring insights into their struggles, needs or desires. This is invaluable information for effective communication, building rapport, and marketing concepts, services, or products.
Multilinguals have critical skills for business
It’s well known that language skills boost one’s problem-solving abilities. People who speak more than one language have improved:
- memory
- problem-solving
- critical-thinking
- listening skills
- enhanced concentration
Studies have found that mastering a foreign language dramatically increases the four components of divergent thinking ability, i.e., fluency, elaboration, originality, and flexibility.
Resilience and resourcefulness
Having to express yourself in a different language requires perseverance and a lot of humility. Let’s say that learning a language (or many) makes you a master of having your ego bruised every time you make a mistake, you don’t find the right word, or you are corrected in public (or in private). These qualities are so important in business!
Pro-Tip
As an entrepreneur, multilingualism is a necessary skill to have. And this skill is what will allow you to grow and reach new markets. Still, once you have access to those markets, once you, at an individual level, understand the culture and mindset of those other markets, you can avail of the services of professional localizing services to help you write your copy and messaging. Because let’s be honest, even if you reach fluency in other languages, writing your website’s copy is a different kettle of fish.
What do you think? Are you bilingual or multilingual? How have your language skills impacted your business? Share in the comments?
*[collaboration post. All thoughts are my own]
