In this series, we discuss The Seven Barriers of Communication

In this series, we discuss The Seven Barriers of Communication. This post is dedicated to language barriers.

Language barriers are a common challenge here at Nulab, as they are with many international companies. With Nulab offices in Japan and the US, we are often working on new and better ways to understand one another, bridge communication gaps, and improve company-wide collaboration. More than half of us speak Japanese, some only speak English, and a growing majority are learning to speak both. In light of globalization, we’re bound to see more and more companies start to face these same challenges.

Types of Language Barriers

We’ve already given you the most obvious example of a language barrier: people speaking languages native to different regions. But there are more subtle types of language barriers. For example, your industry or skill set may involve a lot of jargon or technical language. When you’re speaking to people outside your industry, or even outside your department, a lot can get lost in translation.

At Nulab, our development team makes up a huge portion of our company. When speaking to other departments, it’s important that each developer can communicate information in terms everyone can understand to ensure we’re all aligned on our companies goals. If marketing doesn’t understand what Dev is doing, and Dev has no idea what the executive team is doing, we’re all in deep trouble.

Another example of a language barrier is dialects. People can technically be speaking the same language, but dialectical differences can create misunderstandings and gaps in communication. India, for example, uses over 22 major languages, written in 13 different scripts, with over 720 dialects. That leaves a lot of room for linguistic mix-ups!

A final example you should be aware of is language disabilities. Many people work with physical impediments to language such as stuttering, dysphonia, and hearing loss. These have no bearing on someone’s ability to understand and do their job, but it can make communication more cumbersome.

With so many ways language can impede our ability to collaborate, it’s crucial to have strategies for connecting everyone. We have seven tips to get you started.

Overcoming Language Barriers

To overcome language barriers in the workplace, here are a few things you can do:

1. Use plain language. Whether you’re working with someone who knows your primary language as a secondary, or you’re trying to communicate a deeply technical problem to your non-technical coworkers, everyone should get in the habit of using plain language whenever possible. While many people try to use large words to make themselves sound intelligent or good at their jobs, they’re not doing anyone any favors. Using jargon or esoteric vocabulary only creates the opportunity for miscommunication and makes people feel bad that they can’t understand what you’re saying. Creating a culture in your workplace of speaking simply and explaining all issues as straightforwardly as possible is key.

2. Find a reliable translation service. If you’re working across international offices, enlist the help of a qualified translator or find a translation service that meets your needs. Every document deemed important to the entire company should be translated into the primary language of your other offices. Be careful when finding a service, and be sure to vet their qualifications. You’ll see several free websites that claim to translate text from one language to another, but they may not account for different dialects. And sometimes, words have different usages in different cultures.

3. Enlist interpreters. Whether you have existing bilingual employees or hire one, trusted interpreters should be used to ensure that there isn’t any information or instruction missed due to a language barrier.

4. Provide classes for your employees. If you’re working in a highly technical environment, like a SaaS company, include a crash course to your jargon during initial job training, and consider ongoing learning classes later on. Sales need to understand the ins and outs of any product they’re selling; marketing needs to understand why their products are important; and everyone needs to be able to speak a common language to plan for the future of the company.

If you’re an international company, offer free classes for learning the language of another office. Here at Nulab, our Japan office takes weekly English classes. Many of our staff have become conversational or even fluent because of these classes. This has opened up a world of opportunity for our English speaking teams to communicate better with our Japanese offices.

5. Use visual methods of communication. Words often fail us, and when they do, showing can be a lot more effective than telling. Use pictures or diagrams to explain complicated concepts. Visual queues are invaluable for getting everyone on the same page, not to mention, thinking more creatively about new solutions.

6. Use repetition. Language barrier or not, people often need to hear something more than once to understand and remember it. Don’t expect anyone to remember something you said once. If it’s important, make it a regular part of your communication.

7. Be respectful. Language barriers, like all barriers to communication, can be frustrating. They require patience, understanding, and conscientiousness. Ensure that when you or your team are struggling to communicate that you never raise your voice or over-enunciate. Talk slower instead of louder, clearly instead of forcefully. And remember, when someone is working through a language hurdle, it has nothing to do with their actual intelligence or ability to grasp the concept behind what you’re trying to say. Continue to speak proper English as you search for common ground, so they can learn how to understand correctly, too.

Final Thoughts

Language barriers can be a challenge, but working with people of different cultures and backgrounds is what drives innovation, creativity, and success. Don’t let language barriers stand in the way of embracing everything a diverse workplace has to offer.

Examples Of Language Barriers

Examples of language barriers that prevent individuals from effective communication include:

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  Dialects - While two people may technically speak the same language, dialectal differences can make communication between them difficult. Examples of dialectical language barriers exist worldwide. Chinese, for example, has a variety of dialects that are commonly spoken, including Cantonese and Mandarin.
  

Language Disabilities - Language disabilities are physical impediments to language. Physical language disabilities that cause language barriers include stuttering, dysphonia or an articulation disorder and hearing loss. Overcoming Language Barriers 

To overcome language barriers within the workplace, there are a few things you can do:

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  Translate all relevant documents into the primary language of your employees. There are several free websites that translate text from one language to another. However, you have to be careful since the translation is not always in the exact same dialect as that of your employees. Also, sometimes the meaning of a word used in written translation does not always correspond to the meaning you wish to convey in your work documents.
  

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  Use an interpreter whenever you give instructions or provide feedback to your employees. There may be someone in your organization who speaks both languages fluently enough to convey your message to your employees. Find someone who you trust to translate your instructions and feedback properly.
  

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  Provide language classes for your employees on the basic language requirements for your business. Teach them work words, phrases, warnings, and other critical communication elements that are necessary for them to perform to your performance standards. Teach the basics first. Give all of your employees a "survival" crash course in the predominant language of your workplace. Later, if you have the desire and the resources, you can provide additional opportunities for your employees to learn the language skills they need in order to "thrive" in the workplace.
  

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  Use both telling and showing methods of training. Simplify your training methods, particularly those that rely heavily on telling versus showing. Demonstrate what you want and then have the employees perform the function as you observe their performance. Re-demonstrate as often as needed until the employees can perform the task successfully.
  

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  Use visual methods of communication more than audio. Show more than tell. Explain it with pictures as much as possible. Take a lesson from the airlines in how they convey their safety instructions. Use pictures in your instruction manuals rather than words. Almost every step in every process can be described in picture format. Give your employees signs, cue cards or other methods to help them learn.
  

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  Use repetition. As with any new concept, most people don't learn something the first time they hear it. Employees need to hear the same message over and over before they fully grasp it. Don't expect people to learn anything after being told once. This is true of all of your employees whether they have a language barrier or not.
  

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  Never raise your voice or over-enunciate your words. Talk slower, not louder. Speak clearly, not forcefully. People of a different language and culture can hear fine. They probably also are intelligent enough to grasp what you are saying if you intelligently deliver your message without talking down to them. Don't speak "Pidgin English." Speak correct English the correct way, just more clearly. People cannot learn the language right if you don't speak it right.
  

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  Use simpler words with fewer syllables. Be aware of the complexities of your words. Use more common words that convey your message in simpler terms. Again, don't talk down; just use a less complex vocabulary.
  

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  Learn the basics of your employee's language. If you want to communicate effectively and build rapport with your employees you should consider learning a few words and phrases in their language. Nothing sends the message that you value the diversity of your employees more than your willingness to learn from them. Have them teach you how to say hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and other important pleasantries you can use in your interactions with them.
  

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  Have the employee demonstrate their understanding. Don't assume the employee understands; check for understanding. Ask the employee to demonstrate that they know how to do what you have asked them to do.
  

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