English language in European business

4.2English language in European business

In practice employees in European companies speak English fluently during the official meetings but it is natural they tend to switch to their native languages once they talk to each other on corridors and cafeteria. For many people seems to be absurd if company purely, for example, German origin has a tendency to show up its global status just by forcing the employees conduct their business in English. A recent study in France has shown to those who fear English as a cultural threat of today Europe as inappropriate. Most of the people take and adapt English but in the end they make it of their own (Carvajal).

There is no doubt that English has become the international language of business, finance, and in technology. However, in Europe the spread of English went even beyond that and it is becoming the language that puts together the whole continent. Due to the integration of labor market of the European Union the need for one common language is crucial. The language links people from all parts of Europe. When Finnish needs to speak to someone from Portugal, their common language will be English, same as for many other nations. In European business this prevails even more. Knowledge of English language is needed almost for everyone who works in corporate environment, the pressure for learning the language increased. English is no longer the language of just top management of companies, lower management, engineers and even leading blue-collars must be able to communicate with colleagues and customers all over the world and English language is the most obvious means of communication. According to research conducted by European commission 41 percent of the people speak English but only 29 percent are able to speak well enough to carry on conversation. This result reports that there is a tendency that those who are not able to follow the trend of international language may fall behind – either just individuals or companies or even whole countries. Those workers who are able to speak English have salaries about 25 percent to 35 percent higher than those who do not speak the language. This gap was not so obvious few years ago when most of the business was done on local level and knowledge of English languages was required only from those who were supposed to do business at international level. Nowadays, in Europe are hundreds of multinational companies. The spread of the companies started at the end of 80’s and the beginning of 90’s when the European countries released their economy borders, it allows companies growth to other countries. Europe is pushed toward one language also because of spread of new technology. In the company KPNQwest is set up a rule where all e-mail communication must be written in English, even between people of the same mother tongue. The CEO of the company explains this rule that the communication often spreads through the corporate and you cannot omit anyone from this string.

Europe can be divided according to knowledge of English language. Job applicants who do not speak English have less opportunities to find job, some companies do not even consider hiring these people, in certain positions such as secretary people may expect lower salary if they find the job. As for the higher position English is not an option it is a requirement. The division, according to English language, is seen in Europe economy. Sweden, the Netherlands, western German and big cities such as Paris, Milan are considered to be the wealthy parts of Europe and people who are living in these areas are able to speak English fluently. Regions such as Mediterranean and Eastern Europe are considered as poorer part and they also have less people who speak fluent English. These regions cannot gain the profit of foreign investments and jobs. It has been proved that only 5-10 percent of workforces in Italian banks speak English. In case of any of these banks merge with French or German banks very likely the language of these banks will become English. Those people who do not speak English will get in risk to keep their jobs. The English division is also age-division. Based on the research of the European Union, 67 percent Europeans in age 15 to 24 said they can speak English compared to 18 percent of those who are in the age over 55. Employees in lower positions, usually those of manual work, can still get the job and it is enough for them to know their native language. However, those who want to achieve any good job positions, the English language and business English is must (Baker et al).