Overcoming language barriers to communication
A linguistic barrier: what is it?
Our greatest barrier to communication, regardless of the medium, is our capacity—or lack thereof—to comprehend what others are saying. If the words used in any discussion, email, report, or letter don’t make sense to other people, they won’t be useful. There won’t be a clear consensus on what needs to be done or how to accomplish it, which will make it difficult for you to implement ideas as a team.
Any linguistic restriction that leads to misunderstanding or hinders comprehension is referred to as a language barrier. Languages used in different countries and cultures, as well as specific expertise or speech problems, can all be considered barriers. Regardless of the origin of the issue, it is important to recognize and address linguistic obstacles.
Language barrier types.
1. Dialects and Spoken Languages
The most evident illustration of a language barrier that we have previously provided is that of speakers of different native tongues. Another type of linguistic barrier is dialects. Dialectical disparities can cause misunderstandings and communication gaps even when people speak the same language. For instance, India has over 720 dialects and over 22 main languages that are written in 13 distinct scripts. That gives a great deal of leeway for language errors!
2. Technical dialects
Linguistic boundaries become more subtle when one has specialized expertise. For instance, there can be a lot of jargon or technical terminology used in your sector or skill set. Often times, when you communicate with someone who is not in your sector or field, a lot gets lost in translation.
3. Language impairments
Language impairments are another example of which you should be mindful. Many people deal with physical language impairments, including dysphonia, hearing loss, and stuttering. These obstacles can make communication more difficult, but they have no effect on someone’s capacity for comprehension or performance of their work.
4. Written correspondence
In actual life, the proverb “write how you speak” is not always applicable. In person conversations are enhanced by our gestures, environment, and visual signals. When you can mimic movements or point to objects to illustrate your points of view, it’s much simpler to resolve misconceptions.
5. Wording unique to the company
A corporate language takes a lot of effort and money to establish for many firms. While current workers seldom have an issue with this, new hires require some time to get acquainted with acronyms and language unique to the organization. When a corporation uses specialized terminology in its communications, recruits could find it difficult to comprehend the company’s objectives or what is required of them specifically. There are several ways that language may obstruct our capacity to work together, thus it’s critical to have methods for bringing people together. To help you get started, here are seven tips.
Getting around linguistic obstacles.
Here are some strategies to help you get beyond language obstacles at work.
Here are some strategies to help you get beyond language obstacles at work.
1. Speak clearly.
Everyone should make it a practice to use simple English wherever feasible, whether you’re working with someone whose native tongue is different or trying to explain a technical issue to non-technical coworkers.
While many individuals try to come seem as clever or skilled in their work by using big words, this is not helping anybody. Jargon and obscure words only serve to foster misunderstandings and instill a sense of inferiority in those who are unable to comprehend you. The secret is to instill a culture of simple speech and direct explanation of all matters in your organization.
2. Locate a trustworthy translation agency.
Seek for a translation provider that suits your demands or ask an experienced translator for assistance if you’re working with different overseas offices. Translations into the official languages of your other offices should be made of any document that is considered significant to the entire organization. When choosing a service, use caution and check their credentials. Many free online translators make the promise that they can translate text between languages, although they might not take dialects into consideration. Additionally, words might have diverse cultural meanings.
3. Make use of repetition.
Whether there is a language barrier or not, hearing something more than once helps individuals comprehend and retain it. Never assume that someone will recall what you say only once. Include it on a frequent basis in your communications if it’s significant.
Whether there is a language barrier or not, hearing something more than once helps individuals comprehend and retain it. Never assume that someone will recall what you say only once. Include it on a frequent basis in your communications if it’s significant.
4. Show consideration.
Like any communication hurdles, language difficulties may be annoying. They call for diligence, tolerance, and understanding. When you or your team are having trouble communicating, make sure you never raise your voice or pronounce things too loudly. Converse more clearly and at a slower pace rather than using force. Additionally, keep in mind that overcoming a language barrier has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence or comprehension of the ideas you’re attempting to convey. As you look for areas of agreement, keep using good English so they may pick up on the language.