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The whole world has become one big global village, and this has affected the way people conduct business all over the world. Before you expand your business internationally, it is essential to learn additional languages. And this is the primary reason why smart business owners and entrepreneurs are arming themselves with different foreign languages to facilitate smooth business transactions all over the world. Now, considering that there are over six thousand (6000) languages in the world, you may be confused about which particular ones to focus on and learn. Well, you don’t have to be. Here are the best five international languages that you should learn to give you an edge in the business world.
English Language
The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Be aware that business English is much different than slang versions most commonly spoken. In fact, even countries that have other languages as their official language still learn the English language. As the official language of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, and a lot of other countries, the English Language is considered as one of the languages of commerce. This has made it an essential arsenal to arm yourself with if you want to succeed in global business. Closely related to the English language is the Latin language. As much as you learn the English language, going ahead to learn the Latin language with it will enhance your literary prowess.
You will come to discover that a lot of English words have their foundation in Latin. In fact, the knowledge of Latin will also enhance your vocabulary and give you a vibrant base for discussing among your business friends in the legal and medical fields. With rich knowledge in English and Latin, you will definitely become a force to be reckoned with in the business world.
Mandarin
One of the biggest technological and business powerhouses in our present world is China. China has not only distinguished herself in the technology fields, but she has also proved to be a giant in the financial world. Mandarin is the official language of China and is fluently spoken in all businesses in China. For you to have a successful business and be globally relevant in China, you must you must learn a new language, which in this case, is the Mandarin language. It is a non-negotiable necessity.
The main reason for this is because China’s businesses thrive on a face to face communications and friendly relationships. Learning Mandarin is one of the easiest ways to build relationships in China. It is the official language and spoken by the whole country. Besides, if you want to survive in the import and export business with China, then learning the Mandarin language is a must. With products worth billions of dollars being imported continuously from China continually, having mastery of the language could be a significant bonus when conducting international business in this country.
Cantonese
Another essential global business language for modern entrepreneurs is Cantonese. While Mandarin remains a widely-used language throughout most of mainland China, Cantonese is the preferred language of many other Asian communities like Singapore, the Hong Kong business market, and Guangzhou in Southern China. There are even financial centers in Vietnam and Malaysia that are fluent in Cantonese language. For this reason, Cantonese is often a widely popular financial language throughout much of Southeast Asia. To effectively increase your global business fluency, consider learning some essential professional language in Cantonese.
Spanish
Do you aim to one day become a business tycoon in Latin America? Then, the Spanish language is one of the most lucrative languages you can learn. To have a successful business in any Latin American country, fluency in the Spanish language is a must-have skill. The ability to communicate fluently and freely with the native population will create a pleasant, productive office environment that is necessary to make your business bloom.
The official language of most of the Central and South American nations is the Spanish Language. Asides that, some of the fast-growing emerging nations like Mexico, Paraguay, Columbia, and more others speak Spanish. In fact, over twenty countries around the world appeal Spanish as an official language. It is, therefore, essential, not only to learn the Spanish language but also to master it. It will help improve your business relationships and also buy your way into the heart of the native population and increase your customer base.
Arabic
Ever heard of the Arab money? It is not a cliché, because there is a lot of money in the Arab world and smart people in business and entrepreneurs have their eyes on it. With over six hundred billion dollars in GDP opportunities, the Arab nations are fast becoming part of the wealthiest countries in the world. With so much wealth, comes great business opportunities and career development. The only thing is, to get your hands on the Arab money, you have to be proficient in Arabic. Countries like Dubai, Egypt, Somalia speak Arabic, and these are rich soils for entrepreneurs. So, if you would love to enjoy your business booming in any of these Arab nations, the Arabic language is a language you must learn.
German
The German language is the official language of wealthy European nations such as Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, and more. For this reason, it is essential to have an understanding in German business communications if you plan to expand overseas. These nations’ wealth is based on their vast advancement in technology and networking. As a matter of fact, the German economy happens to be the strongest in the European Union, with over 2.4 trillion Euros. Going by this analysis, you already know that your ability to speak the German language can significantly improve your opportunities in the business world and put you at an advantage over others who can’t speak the language.
It is, therefore, imperative to learn this language if you envision your business in any of the German-speaking European nations. In a world that has become so much connected, that there is hardly any fully independent country anymore, it is evident that language has come to play an all-important role in how businesses are conducted among nations.
What has become apparent is that to make headway in today’s business world, you have to develop expertise in globally significant international languages, some of which include English language, Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, German and French. Speaking international languages gives you a competitive edge and advantage, and the smartest move will be to learn one or more foreign languages.
