The international business environment is dynamic and keeps evolving as new products and services solve problems and open domestic and foreign markets. Because of this, more languages are involved in an actual global business that leverages cultural diversity.

Today, it is usual to see the use of English as an alternative language for international business. 

People prefer to communicate, network, or have discussions in their mother tongue or with corporations. You will have more chances to enter a specific market if you speak the native language of your clients. 

Therefore, businesses should prepare for such situations and ensure that the staff knows the native language of potential clients. 

Whether you’re working in a domestic or multinational company, many languages in global business will position you for success right now and in the future. More and more people are traveling abroad and working in online marketplaces. This increases its convenience and affordability of it and has made global commerce. 

Languages will keep growing and evolving as people interact and new technology develops. 

If you plan to enter new foreign markets, expand your reach, or improve your career in global business, the following 10 languages will give you a head start. 

 English

1.452 billion speakers speak English in the world. It has a 25.9% share of worldwide internet users. The English language is the official language in 67 countries, such as South Africa, Canada, and India. Still, it is their de facto official language as it’s the predominant language in these countries. Nowadays, English is still a preferred language for the global audience and is sometimes referred to as the language of globalization. Therefore, fluency in English is crucial for business owners or anyone looking to expand worldwide. 

Mandarin Chinese

1.118 billion speakers worldwide speak Mandarin Chinese. It is the official language in 5 countries. For example, China, Hong Kong, and Macau. In addition, it has a 19.4 % share of worldwide internet users. Now it is growing as a global economic power, meaning businesses should learn Chinese. 

Due to international trade, cross-border treaties, and advances in science and technology, China is expected to become the world’s leading economy in the future. 

When you learn to speak the language with proficiency, it will provide you with vast professional opportunities. Because most of the businesses in China are done face to face, you will demonstrate respect for the Chinese people and their culture. Investing in learning business Mandarin Chinese now could give you career opportunities later.

Hindi

602 million speakers speak Hindi in the world. The Hindi Language is the official language in 20 countries, such as India, Nepal, and Fiji.

Despite the pandemic, India became one of the most flourishing economies in the whole world. Although the country has various languages, Hindi is often the common language people use to communicate with people outside their regions. Technology is one industry sector where India excels. So it is fast becoming a destination for multinational companies focusing on mobile media and technology.

Learning Hindi will enable you to communicate with a vast number of people. 

Spanish

548 million speakers speak Spanish in the world. The Spanish language is the official language in 20 countries, such as Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Venezuela. It has a 76.9 % share of worldwide internet users. At the moment, speaking Spanish as an additional language is an excellent tool when doing business in the US. Approximately 50 million people in the world speak Spanish in the US, and many run large and small businesses. 

Projections indicate the Spanish-speaking population will double in the next decade, so it has the potential to become one of the languages of the future. It is not a smart move for international businesses to start learning Spanish. But a good investment at the end of any individual and global company. The key is making sure you are aware of the language’s variations in the different Spanish-speaking countries. Learning Spanish for business will help you and your team to sign more contracts.

French

More than 275 million people speak French worldwide. The French language is the official language in 29 countries, such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. It has a 3.3 % share of worldwide internet users. Did you know that the official language of the World Trade Organization is French? 

French can also be a helpful language in Africa. Some countries prefer to do business only with French-speaking global partners. For many American companies, Canada is the first international option they move in. One of the biggest suppliers of luxury goods and cosmetics is in France. It also provides cutting-edge technology in railways, aerospace, and automobile manufacturing services. 

All these factors make French one of the top business languages in the future. Learning business French will enable you to do business in more than one continent. 

Arabic

274 million speakers speak Arabic in the world. The Arabic language is the official language of 25 countries, such as Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco. It has a 5.2% share of worldwide internet users.

Using Arabic can further a career and business expansion as business opportunities continue to rise in Middle Eastern countries. The Middle East is worth considering as it is a top export market for several products and has a booming economy. Due to emerging high-growth markets and international educational engagements, Arabic is an essential language in the business future. Learning business Arabic is a good language for those hoping to improve their international business relations.

Portuguese

Portuguese is the native language of 232 million people, and about 258 million speak Portuguese worldwide. The Portuguese language is the official language in 10 countries, such as Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique. It has a 3.7 % share of worldwide internet users. Brazil is an essential hub for business in Latin America and is home to a young population, over 60% of the country’s inhabitants are under 35 years old. It is also a market specialized in automotive, aerospace, chemical production, etc. Among Latin American countries, Brazil has one of the biggest economies, so the opportunities for business growth are immense. Asian countries also show great interest in Portuguese-speaking countries due to their long-standing economic and diplomatic relations. Therefore, Portuguese is a language of interest today as Asia’s growing ties with Latin America. 

Learning business Portuguese is one way to position yourself ahead of the competition for international business as it unlocks business opportunities across the four continents.

German

155 million speakers speak German in the world. It is the official language of 42 countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It has a 2 % share of worldwide internet users. Did you know that Germany is a trade powerhouse and one of the most stable and robust economies in the European Union? It is one of the finest countries in the world for the enterprise. German is one of the essential languages in the automobile, banking, and research industries, and it is also one of the three languages of the European Union. The potential of the German market makes its official language one of the top languages for the future. 

Learning business German will provide you not only with benefits in business and academics in Europe but provide leverage in diplomatic, political, or academic fields.

Japanese

125 million speakers speak Japanese in the world. The Japanese language is the official language of Japan, and 2.6 % of people worldwide use the internet. It is said that Japan is the 3rd biggest economy in the whole world. It invests in projects and businesses involving manufacturing, especially transportation equipment. It is a leader in the technology industry. It is famous for its many contributions to robotics, electronics, artificial intelligence, and environmental solutions. Also, its delivery services are very active because 48,8% of Japanese are big online shoppers who always look for trendy and edgy products. 

Therefore, communicating in Japanese will undoubtedly be valid for today and future developments in the era of technological advancement. 

Which language should I learn for Global Business?

English is widely spoken on many continents. For sure, it will support your basic needs in global business. However, the language that suits you best will depend on your business, professional, and long-term goals. It will depend on the industry, regional factors of your market, and your career growth. It also may depend on where you see yourself in the future and how you want to decide which language to master. Nevertheless, speaking a language and developing a natural curiosity for the people and their culture in business helps professionals succeed in a global economy that continues to thrive beyond borders.

So, among the 9 languages, which language is the most useful for you to improve? Let us know in the comments below!

After all, your decision will not only have a significant effect on your business and your career but a significant contribution to the world.

SPEAK BUILD CONTRIBUTE

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