The Multilingual Reality of the Multinational Workplace: Language Policy and Language Use

Autor/in	Angouri, Jo
Titel	The Multilingual Reality of the Multinational Workplace: Language Policy and Language Use
Quelle	In: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 34 (2013) 6, S.564-581 (18 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0143-4632
DOI	10.1080/01434632.2013.807273
Schlagwörter	Questionnaires; Work Environment; Language Usage; Employee Attitudes; Multilingualism; Consortia; Corporations; Interviews; Policy Analysis; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Second Languages; Native Language; Foreign Countries; Linguistic Competence; Greek; Indo European Languages; Japanese; International Trade; Business Communication; Mixed Methods Research; Denmark; Greece + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Fragebogen; Arbeitsmilieu; Sprachgebrauch; Arbeitnehmerinteresse; Mehrsprachigkeit; Multilingualismus; Vereinigung; Unternehmen; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Politikfeldanalyse; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Second language; Zweitsprache; Ausland; Sprachkompetenz; Grieche; Griechisch; Indoeuropäisch; Japaner; Japanisch; Trade; International relations; Handel; Internationale Beziehungen; Unternehmenskommunikation; Dänemark; Griechenland
Abstract	In the multinational corporation (MNC) context the crossing of linguistic boundaries and the fast-paced change of linguistic ecologies due to market trends and new business activities is the rule rather than the exception. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to discuss language policy and language practice in one consortium of three multinational companies and to problematize the extent to which the dynamics of language use are reflected in the companies' language policy. The paper draws on interview and questionnaire data and discusses the employees' perceptions of language practices in their workplace context and the perceived implications of the companies' official policy. The analysis shows that the language policy in these MNCs is constructed as being "flexible" where both employees and managers typically take a "what works" approach regarding language practice. Special attention is paid here to the use of local languages in relation to English which is the official working language. The analysis shows that employees construct multilingualism as a "given reality" and as an "opportunity" and foreground the social aspect of non-L1 language use in the workplace. The paper closes by problematising the concept of "de jure" language policy and its strategic (non)implementation in the case discussed here. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10