The other at the workplace : power and language in a multicultural workplace

Abstract

Today’s work markets are increasingly shaped by the multilingual reality. The present research offers an intercultural communication perspective on language diversity and power relations at modern work environment. Study investigates how young professionals and their foreign colleagues perceive diversity affecting in their communicative behaviours in culturally heterogeneous workplace. Analysis of data from participants has been conducted through an analysis of open ended self‐report questionnaire in a multinational company where English is used daily as a corporate language. In particular, results of present study indicate that more diverse language skills are attributed to perception of power. Respectively low proficiency in second language communication at workplace seems to cause feelings of alienation and exclusion among employees leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. In addition, the need of standardized language policies in organizational level is raised.