Language management and social interaction within the multilingual workplace

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to identify communicative practices emerging from the management decision to implement English as a corporate language, assessing their implications for social interaction and relationships within the multilingual workplace.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory study based on qualitative research interviews was used.FindingsThe analysis highlights the discrepancy between a general openness to the use of English as a corporate language in Danish organisations and language users' communicative practice. This leads to the identification of language clustering and thin communication as characteristic behaviours within the multilingual workplace.Research limitations/implicationsThe interviews were performed in Danish organisations alone. New research is required in order to apply the findings to other linguistic or national settings.Practical implicationsThe research identifies two barriers to employee interaction within the multilingual workplace. This is relevant in relation to language planning as well as diversity management.Originality/valueThe paper is original in its application of a sociolinguistic perspective to employees' linguistic practice. This points to the importance of language as a social resource and the possible limitations of corporate language policies.