Language diversity in the workplace can spur creativity and innovation
Our first language shapes how we think. Each one of us carries unique knowledge and different ways of dealing with complex problems. Bringing together people from diverse language backgrounds can spur creativity and innovation in the workplace. Teresa Almeida presents four actions to experiment with and create a more inclusive work environment for people of all mother tongues.
In our team of 11 people, we discovered we collectively speak 12
different languages, but have always communicated in English. English has
become the corporate language for many global firms, as it is
the ubiquitous lingua franca of international business. However, it is
important to remember that our first language, and the cultural bonds it
brings, shape our identity and our interactions with others.
Talking about
language
Language is a crucial aspect of our lives. The words we use reflect
facts, ideas and events that are understood because of a shared knowledge of
the world forming a guide to our social reality. Our mother tongue,
the primary language we learn in childhood, has a profound impact on our
self-identity and culture. Furthermore, research has shown that our mother
tongue shapes how we think, including our perceptions of
time and space. For example, English speakers see the future as “ahead” and the
past “behind”, while in Mandarin time takes a vertical dimension with past as
“up” and future as “down”. In a study of English and Mandarin speakers, Boroditsky
(2001) found that Mandarin speakers were faster to confirm that
March comes earlier that April after seeing a vertical array of objects than if
they saw a horizontal one, while the reverse was true for English speakers.
Learning a new language can bring a new worldview and perceptions of the
reality around us. Bylund & Athanasopoulos (2017) conducted
a study on the mental representations of time among Spanish, Swedish and
Spanish-Swedish bilingual speakers. Swedish (and also English) speakers
primarily think of time as “long” and “short”, while Spanish speakers view it
as “big” or “small”. The results showed that bilingual speakers were flexible
in their thinking, switching between different views of time when prompted in
either Spanish or Swedish. As one of the authors concluded, this highlights that bilingualism can
be beneficial for faster learning and multi-tasking.
Language diversity
at work
Language diversity also matters for team performance. Employees who
speak multiple languages are better equipped to work with clients or partners
from different countries and backgrounds and can better understand their
perspective. Language diversity can also spur creativity and innovation,
as individuals with different linguistic backgrounds bring unique knowledge to
solving complex problems.
However, there are also pitfalls of working in multi-language teams.
Fluency in the common language, often English, can distort
power relations, where more confident speakers dominate discussions
and teams lose out on the unique contributions and perspectives of those who
are less confident or less proficient in a language (Janssens & Brett,
2006). Linguistic misunderstandings and varying levels of fluency can also
influence trust, crucial for the well-functioning of teams. Those with lower
proficiency worry (often with reason) that difficulty in communicating is
mistaken for a lack of technical and professional abilities, and language
barriers can lead to the fundamental attribution error, when a person is
seen as less dependable due to a linguistic misunderstanding on what was asked
or discussed.
So, how can teams make the most of language diversity to improve
creativity? Here are four actions to experiment with in the workplace and
create a more inclusive environment for individuals of all mother tongues.
1. Encourage language experimentation
Encourage employees to experiment with different languages, even if
they’re not fluent. As the studies on bilingualism suggest, doing so can spark
creativity and new ways of thinking. Moreover, learning a foreign language can preserve
healthy brain function and enhance cognitive function.
As a team, you could set a collective goal to learn a new language
through an app like Duolingo and share your progress, challenges
and experiences.
2. Reduce jargon and colloquialisms
Expressions and idioms in each language might not resonate across
cultures, and when it comes to the workplace, English-centric business jargon
is everywhere, “go the extra mile”, “up in the air”, “learn the ropes”, etc.
Jargon is commonly used, consciously or unconsciously to
signify that someone “fits in”, and can make people feel excluded, frustrated
and increase confusion especially across languages.
To reduce misunderstandings and increase inclusivity, try to use clear
language that is understandable to all. Using simple and clear language
in broad-reaching communications like internal newsletters or events can be
especially beneficial as it sets the tone for everyone else. Doing so can
improve the effectiveness of communications and increase
attention to your message, regardless of language barriers.
3. Promote cross-cultural understanding
Create opportunities for employees to learn about and appreciate each
other’s language and cultures. Celebrating cultural events and holidays to
promote culture can go a long way in building trust and
psychological safety. As a starting point, celebrate International Mother Language Day and learn
more about multilingualism and your colleagues mother tongues.
4. Foster a supportive environment
Encourage open and respectful communications, where everyone’s
contributions are valued and language barriers are not a hindrance to their
participation in team activities.
One common source of anxiety is pronouncing someone’s name when it is in
unfamiliar. As Ruchika Tulshyan suggests in her article: If You Don’t Know How to Say Someone’s Name, Just Ask,
instead of fumbling, it is better to ask someone for the correct pronunciation.
Importantly, make sure you actively listen to their answer, so the process is
as anxiety-free as possible for everyone. Repeat their name once, or twice at a
maximum to doublecheck you’ve got the pronunciation right, or make a note to
yourself so you won’t draw out the process when you meet them again. Taking
time to learn someone’s name conveys respect and encourages others to do the
same in the future.
Language is a powerful tool, and by embracing language diversity in the
workplace, teams can unlock new perspectives, foster creativity, and build
stronger relationships.
♣♣♣
Notes:
·
This blog post represents the views of
its author(s), not the position of LSE Business Review or the London
School of Economics.
·
Featured image by Leonardo Toshiro Okubo on Unsplash
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About the author
Teresa Almeida
Teresa Almeida is a Behavioural Science Research Officer at The
Inclusion Initiative, and a PhD candidate in Behavioural Science at the London
School of Economics.
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