How to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language well
As managers increasingly employ people from diverse cultural backgrounds and pursue global markets, they will inevitably be required to communicate across language barriers. Learning to speak the languages of one or two other countries would certainly help but would never eliminate the problem. Here are some helpful hints to increase your flexibility when having to communicate with someone from a foreign culture...
1. Do your homework.
If you have advance warning of an important meeting, find out all you can about expected attendees - their cultures, their languages, their companies. No one expects you to be an expert, but you could buy a book on the culture and language of the other country. You will impress your guests or hosts when they see that you have made the effort. Although interpreters may be available, think carefully about introducing a third party - particularly without the consent of the people you are planning to meet.
2. Test for understanding.
The people you are meeting may have developed ‘survival skills’ and may use common phrases in your language. Ask them whether they do - either in your language or theirs. You can, of course, create a favourable impression if you at least attempt to use their language, even in the most elementary way. Many books are available containing the most commonly used sentences and phrases.
3. Be patient.
Meeting and communicating will be equally as challenging for the other person, so progress slowly to avoid confusion and frustration. Remember, most meaning will be communicated nonverbally; impatience will be easily detected. The speed at which you progress will be dictated by the other person, and you will become aware of that speed if you’re patient.
