Bridging the Language Barrier in International Business: BELF and Multilingual Practices

Abstract

As an exploratory study of looking at English as a business lingua franca (BELF) in the multilingual framework, the chapter examines how and why Japanese BELF users use multiple languages to get their work done, by analysing narratives of the Japanese business people. The findings of the analysis suggest that for BELF users, English is not used as a monolingual language, but rather that they draw upon their linguistic repertoires to facilitate and accommodate “BELF communication” in their unique sociolinguistic environment. The use of Japanese alongside English among BELF users appears to be a practical “solution” or “wisdom of practice” to accommodate “doing business in English” in their particular business environment. It further highlights the important role of BELF users as critical bridges between different linguistic environments, and that this involves not only “simple translation” but requires highly sophisticated and complex business practices which are learnt over time.