Language barriers in international business are a common challenge on work trips. Read our tips to overcome them in the workplace and abroad
A global outlook opens new doors for trade, but language barriers in international business often become apparent during corporate travel. When you’re not fluent in the local language during a business trip, you’ll not only have to figure out how to get around, but also research the local customs and business etiquette to make a good impression.
It sounds like a tall order but prepping for business travel to a country where you don’t speak the language doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re meeting with clients, preparing a sales pitch, or attending an international conference, today’s translation tools make it easier than ever. Here’s how to successfully manage a language barrier in the workplace when you’re invited as a business guest in a foreign country.
English is the gold standard for international business communication, with nearly 1.5 billion speakers. It’s also the dominant language online, with over 52% of websites written in English as of January 2024.
Yet as China’s economy grows, Mandarin is close behind with over 1.1 billion speakers worldwide. For companies with a presence in Europe, German and French are important languages to translate for business, while Spanish is key throughout Latin America. Arabic is used in key energy and finance markets like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
What do we mean when talking about language barriers in the workplace while travelling? A language barrier in international business refers to confusion or misunderstandings caused by anything language related. It could be an inability to read contracts written in a foreign language, or a cultural misunderstanding of local slang words.
Language barriers in international business not only make it more difficult to forge working relationships; they can even cause conflict or offense when working with foreign colleagues.
You’ll run into all types of language barriers when you’re travelling abroad, starting with basic navigation issues such as telling your taxi driver where you need to go. If you get words like ‘street’ and ‘avenue’ mixed up, you could end up in a different part of town than intended.
Language barriers often show up in international business translation. Slight differences in wording can lead to legal issues with contracts when you translate them for business needs. Language barriers in the workplace create misunderstandings as well. For example, employees might not quite understand the nuances of management feedback.
The examples above give you some idea of how language barriers can present a problem for businesses, especially during international travel. The time spent correcting confusion with overseas clients causes missed opportunities and lost contracts.
Beyond legal issues, cultural differences can lead to a communication breakdown during business travel. Tone is one aspect of communication that varies significantly between cultures, so what would be considered a polite request in one country could come across as abrupt in another.
When you’re working with clients or providing customer service in a foreign language, a language barrier impedes your ability to provide satisfactory customer service. Customers expect clear, prompt replies to their queries, which becomes difficult with a lack of the correct vocabulary.
Business travellers might also find it difficult to arrive to events and meetings on time when facing navigation issues, causing further on-the-ground delay. Productivity suffers when you’re dealing with stressful travel situations due to language concerns.
No matter your industry, you already know how important effective communication is. Language proficiency builds relationships while connecting you with a wider client base.
But when you’re travelling abroad and working with foreign colleagues in another language, this all-important communication can suffer. Here are a few solutions to overcome these potential barriers.
Becoming fluent in a new language takes time, but today’s digital tools mean you won’t be stuck for words on business trips. One of the most user-friendly yet comprehensive options is Google Translate. Not only does it translate audio to text, it also translates printed materials including signs and menus using your phone’s camera.
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple Live Text is another real-time translation app. It translates audio to text using your phone’s microphone. Enter Conversation mode to switch back and forth between languages and translate for business.
There’s nothing better than practicing with native speakers when you want to build your vocabulary. Try HelloTalk, an app that connects two speakers that want to practice each other’s languages with live chats.
Tools like Google Translate are already using AI for real-time translations, and you can also look out for dedicated AI tools like Deepl. These are trained on extensive linguistic data to provide high-quality, rapid and accurate translations on the go. Using AI translation tools help summarise texts in foreign languages, simplifying them as needed to prevent cross-cultural misunderstandings.
Apps like Google Translate and Live Text are great for getting around in a foreign city and learning key phrases. For more complex business needs, it’s often worth breaking down language barriers using a professional translation service. This is particularly true if you’ll be meeting with international clients and drawing up legal paperwork and contracts. You want to be sure that nothing gets lost in translation.
Professional translators can also make your website multilingual, giving you a professional client-facing digital profile in your target countries. Teams of language experts are skilled in both translation and localisation. Translation means your website is appropriately converted into another language, word for word. With localisation, the experts can also make sure the content’s adapted to a target culture and audience, while ensuring it still fits with your branding and philosophy.
Another way to overcome language barriers while travelling is with the help of a local interpreter. You can get around your destination and avoid cultural misunderstandings with a fluent guide to help navigate your business trip.
If your business regularly requires overseas travel to a specific country, it’s probably worth investing in employee language training. This can be done with online courses and tools like Duolingo or Busuu.
In-depth training tools like Babbel for Business and Preply are particularly useful for corporate language training, not only building business-specific and industry-specific vocabulary but also focussing on aspects of cross-cultural competence.
International business travel presents its own challenges, often requiring you to get outside of your comfort zone. Yet getting around doesn’t have to be stressful with a little bit of advance planning.
Even if you’ll be travelling with an interpreter or translation app, it’s good practice to learn some basics. Start with greetings, goodbyes, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. In hospitality settings you might not understand the full menu (that’s where your translation apps can help) but stock phrases like ‘I would like’ and ‘may I have the cheque please’ make a good impression with locals and clients alike.
Whether you’re vegan or have a medical condition, write down important phrases that could come in useful. Store these in your notebook or mobile device to communicate vital information when you need to. Another tip is to carry your hotel’s business card to show taxi drivers where you need to go.
Today’s best business travel apps make it easy to get around with navigation maps and audio to text translations, but what happens when you run out of power or can’t connect? You’ll need backups. Buy a portable power bank, local SIM card, and old-fashioned paper map and pocket phrase book.
Are you travelling off the grid or dealing with limited data? Download your translation apps to use offline. The only thing to remember when using tools like Google Translate offline is that you need to preload the languages you want to use onto your device. Simply select the destination language and hit download – it’s as easy as that.
Hand gestures and facial expressions can have very different meanings in different parts of the world. While smiling at strangers is normal in the USA, it’s considered unusual in some parts of Europe and Asia.
Nodding one’s head is another form of non-verbal communication that varies between different cultures. While nodding your head in a meeting means agreement in many countries, in parts of Turkey and Greece it means ‘no’. You can find more helpful examples in our guide to the dos and don’ts of business travel.
English is widely spoken in many countries, but never make assumptions. Politely ask if a person speaks English (or your native language) before launching into questions. Use clear, simple phrases, staying away from colloquialisms and slang, to avoid misunderstandings.
A successful business trip involves more than simply finding the right words. When working with foreign colleagues, international business etiquette also matters. Some business cultures, such as those in China, South Korea and Japan, are quite regimented and formal. You can expect defined roles in meetings dependent on age and seniority. These cultures rely on non-verbal communication, while in countries like the United States, a casual yet direct approach is preferred.
One example of a cultural language barrier in international business is the use of the word ‘yes’. If you answer a question with the word ‘yes’ in Western cultures, this is a straightforward agreement. In Eastern cultures, ‘yes’ doesn’t always mean a definitive agreement, however. It can simply mean that the respondent is acknowledging the question, without a firm commitment.
Understanding these various communication styles is just as important as learning your polite greetings if you want to grow your business abroad. This is where a local interpreter can really help.
From poor translations to cultural misunderstandings, language barriers can derail your business trip. But with a blend of advance planning and digital, real-time translation tools, you’ll be able to successfully navigate the challenges of international travel. Put a few stock phrases in your pocket and practice with colleagues before you go.
Today’s real-time translation apps act as a portable interpreter in your pocket, while language learning platforms help you build your skills in between trips.
Every business travel challenge has a solution, including language barriers. In terms of SME travel, Booking.com for Business lightens your load. You’ll be able to book accommodation, flights and car rental at exclusive rates to manage payments, all from a single platform. Take advantage of our stress-free business travel management solutions to navigate your next international journey.
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