CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1

Culture and International Human Resource Management

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Introduction

Communication across the borders is one of the challenges that businesses encounter

when they operate beyond the borders. Businesses cannot afford to hire natives or fluent

speakers of multiple languages to provide efficient or local communication in all their global

branches (Ahmad, 2018). This makes communication across the borders an operational

obstacle. However, technology advancements have resulted in translation tools and options

for both written and spoken language. It acts as a solution to the communication barrier.

Translation tools for businesses across the globe

Businesses have various translation tools available to them for use as they carry out

operations across the globe. Some of the reliable tools and options for translating written and

spoken language include:

Google Translate

Google Translate is a common and familiar tool amongst many businessmen. The

advantage of this tool is that is fairly ubiquitous, easy to use, and is integrated with Google’s

different products. For instance, Chrome browser has an auto-translation feature, which a

user can access easily. Furthermore, several Android apps have built-in Translate app, which

enables users to translate various online content such as tweets, emails, and text on webpages.

It supports of dozens of languages. It has an auto-detection feature, which reduces the hassle

of users in figuring out the original language. Users can translate entire webpages or

documents easily (Ting-Toomey & Dorjee, 2018). It is free and is easily accessible by either

web or mobile phones. However, the tool is not perfect as it fails to bring out the exact

context for complicated sentences.

Many organizations rely on Google Translate because it gives an option of

downloading various language packs for offline use. It prevents drainage of mobile data for

remote workers who are often out and about. It does not require users to connect to Wi-Fi to
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translate. The tool also has an audio component, which translate audio components (Ahmad,

2018). However, Google Translate also fails to bring out the context of words with multiple

meanings.

Bing Translator

Bing Translator is a tool from Microsoft, which is often embedded to Windows

Phone. The translation engine has a free API (Ting-Toomey & Dorjee, 2018). It is mostly

efficient for developers as they power their in-app translation features. It has features like

auto-detection built-in, spoken words, and bookmarks. It supports various languages. It

translates web pages and uploaded documents. Users can use Bing Translator in any browser.

It competitive feature is its OCR and text-recognition. It has the ability of translating

unfamiliar text from the screen of a Windows Phone as long as the user holds the app up to

that unfamiliar text.

The app’s voice capabilities make it easy for users to translate various languages

easily. As a native speaks aloud, the app quickly speak or display the translated version in the

user’s own language. The OCR features enable it to quickly detect the character and inform

the user.

Boostlingo

The Boostlingo Unified Interpretation Platform is a growing platform for companies,

public service agencies and various businesses. It is an interpretation management and

delivery system for language services. The tool offers various services such as on-demand

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Over-The-Phone Interpreting (OPI) (Ting-Toomey &

Dorjee, 2018). It uses web, telephone or mobile application. Using a component known as

Bootlink, the system enables users to use a four-way video conference call system to interpret

the original speech. The design of this system was for use in remote court settings and

doctor’s consultations. It has a scheduling system for Onsite Interpreting, which enables
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businesses to use their own interpreters, third-party call centers, freelancers, or the Boostlingo

Professional Interpreter Network to interpret a particular native language. It supports up to

250 languages. The primary advantage of this system is that it gives the users an opportunity

to customize it in a way that suits their use. It enables users to schedule and manage their

system appropriately. It offers scheduled business administration and business analytics. It

also allows for reporting, full invoicing and billing through the use of native QuickBooks

integration.

Best practices for businesses when communicating in a non-native language

Many businesses continue to expand overseas creating the need for them to develop

best practices that can allow them to communicate in non-native language effectively. The

process of conducting commerce in a foreign country requires mastery of certain components

of their language. Some of the effective practices include:

Creating an environment in which communication is welcome

Business communication is a two-way component that requires an appropriate

environment. Ahmad (2018) denotes that both the businessperson and customers and

employees should work together to create a favorable environment that enables every

individual to speak freely. It is important for businesses to set up useful and respectful

communication practices from the beginning. The first action entails the managers letting

employees and customers know that that they care about communicating with them. It is

important for the customers to learn that the management is not of their native language. It

helps build a rapport with the customers and establishes the willingness to learn. In certain

cultures such as the American culture, a warm reception represents trust and genuineness.

Seljan (2011) opined that a smile at the customers is enough action to help the feel at ease

and build a rapport. It will further enable the businessperson to speak in his or her non-native

language without the customers or other employees feeling offended.

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Limit the use of complex statements and words with different meanings

Businesses, particularly overseas businesses, require that a person speak in a simple

and clear language that customers can easily understand. In instances whereby the business

operator is not a native speaker, it is important that the person uses even more simple

sentences that cannot bring confusion to the interpreter (Seljan, 2011). Most businesspeople

in overseas market rely on translation tools to communicate with their customers. Most

translation tools do not find the exact meaning of complex statements. In that essence, the

tools fail to translate such statements within their exact contexts. In other instances,

businesspeople that use words with several meanings may also fail to get the correct

translation, especially if they are used more than once in a document.

Establish an open and consistent line of communication

In the process of carrying out commerce, it is easy for customers to distinguish a non-

native speaker from native speakers. Therefore, it is important to keep an open line of

communication with native customers. The choice of the translation tool should be one that

the organization is able to use over time. It allows the customers and other employees to learn

how to use it and consider the organization a better workplace. Many employees and

customer tend to embrace a technology that they have deep knowledge of. To attain the

highest level of output and cooperation overseas, businesses need to adopt technologies that

will enable them to achieve a wide range of services from a single tool. Many customers are

likely to choose not to seek for help if they cannot get help from the various available

systems. The use of a well-integrated system that has many translation features will be

important in solving various customer problems.

Conclusion

Language is a common cultural component that affects doing business overseas.

Many organizations continue to adopt various translation tools and options for efficient
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operations in regions that use different languages. The translation technologies have been

helpful in addressing various communication challenges in foreign markets.

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References

Ahmad, F. (2018). Knowledge sharing in a non-native language context: Challenges and

strategies. Journal of Information Science, 44(2), 248-264.

Seljan, S. (2011). Translation technology as Challenge in education and

business. Informatologia, 44(4), 279-286.

Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T. (2018). Communicating across cultures. Guilford

Publications.