Intercultural Business Communication: The Implications of Language Barriers

Abstract

Effective intercultural business communication depends upon the application of a mutually understandable language; a
prerequisite that is almost non-existence in numerous businesses within and across our borders. Language is identified as one of
the most austere operational problems for most intercultural business. The study with the use of Shannon and Weaver’s theory
approached the barriers caused by language and its implications to intercultural business transactions. In order to gain insight into
various ways in which language could impede effective intercultural business communication, the study explored various
published research studies on the problem statement. Findings from the content analysis of the reviewed literature provided an
exhaustive and precise discourse of the effects and implications that language barrier could have on intercultural business.
Furthermore, the review highlighted how language affects the way by which business organisations deal with their tasks and their
relationship with foreign counterparts. The study concluded that inability to communicate effectively in intercultural businessrelated
transaction could pose challenges to business. The study therefore, recommends multilingual employees, language training
and repetition of information for clarification as ways to curb language barriers.