International language management: contained or dilute communication
by Jakob Lauring, Hanne Tange
European J. of International Management (EJIM), Vol. 4, No. 4, 2010

Abstract: This paper addresses how the management decision to implement English as a common corporate language affects the practice of intercultural communication within international corporations. Drawing on a qualitative study of 14 Danish companies, the study identifies contained and dilute communication as obstacles to cooperation and communication, highlighting the social character of language in the multilingual workplace. The practices of contained and dilute communication are related to group formation, sociolinguistic awareness and linguistic competence, and the authors recommend that international managers adopt a pro-active stance on language diversity, promoting social interaction between organisational speech communities.

Online publication date: Mon, 07-Jun-2010

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