"A fascinating examination of how an English-language mandate at a Japanese firm, Rakuten, unfolded over time and how employees reacted to it"--Back of jacket.

For nearly three decades, English has been the lingua franca of cross-border organizations, yet studies on corporate language strategies and their importance for globalization have been scarce. In The Language of Global Success, Tsedal Neeley provides an in-depth look at a single organization—the high-tech giant Rakuten—in the five years following its English lingua franca mandate. Neeley’s behind-the-scenes account explores how language shapes the ways in which employees who work in global organizations communicate and negotiate linguistic and cultural differences. Drawing on 650 interviews conducted across Rakuten’s locations in Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States, Neeley argues that an organization’s lingua franca is the catalyst by which all employees become some kind of “expat”—someone detached from their mother tongue or home culture. Through her unfettered access to the inner workings of Rakuten, she reveals three distinct social groups: “linguistic expats,” who live in their home country yet have to give up their native language in the workplace; “cultural expats,” or native speakers of the lingua franca, who struggle with organizational values that are more easily transmitted after language barriers are removed; and finally “linguistic-cultural expats,” who, while native to neither the lingua franca nor the organization’s home culture, surprisingly have the easiest time adjusting to language changes. Neeley demonstrates that language can serve as the conduit for an unfamiliar culture, often in unexpected ways, and that there are lessons to be learned for all global companies as they confront language and culture challenges. Examining the strategic use of language by one international corporation, The Language of Global Success uncovers how all organizations might integrate language effectively to tap into the promise of globalization.

The boom in international trade has brought with it an increased demand for addressing local consumers in their native language and cultural idiom. Given the complex nature and new media involved in communicating with their constituent markets, companies are developing ever more complex tools and techniques for managing foreign-language communication. This book presents select case studies that illustrate the state-of-the-art of language management. It covers a cross-section of sectors, each of which has particular subtleties in language management: • software localization • finance • medical devices • automotive The book also covers a cross-section of topical and strategic issues: • time-to-market (scheduling challenges; simultaneous release in multiple languages) • global terminology management • leveraging Internet, intranet, and email • centralized versus decentralized management models • financial and budgeting techniques • human factors; management issues unique to language projects • technological innovation in language management (terminology tools, automatic translation) The target audience is language professionals involved with the management aspect of language projects. This includes translators and linguists, managers at language-service providers, language managers at manufacturing/service companies, educators and language/translation students. The heart of the book is the concept of the case study, particularly the Harvard Business School case-study model. Industry leaders and analysts provide some 15 case studies covering the spectrum of language applications. Readable and nonacademic — it can serve both as a text for those studying language and translation, as well as those in the field who need to know the “state-of-the-art” in language management.

The Language of Success provides pragmatic and practical advice on how to harness the power of language in business and in life. Influencing for results, creating a culture of intelligent inquiry, utilizing critical questioning skills, and managing critical situations are all integral to success in any setting. The concepts, skills, and techniques to achieve results are applicable whether in the office or with family or friends. In this day and age of intense focus on engagement, commitment, and most significantly, results achieved, the readers will benefit by learning thought-provoking key principles, applicable practices, and techniques to leverage and ensure success with the language they use every day.

Written in a detailed and fascinating manner, this book is ideal for general readers interested in the English language.

A domestic strategy and only one language means lost revenue and missed opportunities. Your business could be exploding on a global level. If your business wants international growth across borders into global industries, pursuing buyers without considering their culture or by using a machine translation hurts your efforts. A solid strategy with high-quality, culturally adapted content and translations connects you to prospective buyers online and leads to completed sales. To convert more website visitors into loyal customers and increase profits, you need the correct content in the globalized or localized language for your target audience. In The Language of Global Marketing, Rapport International President Wendy Pease provides the roadmap for business-builders to find new revenue from a global audience with the right quality content and tools. Filled with easy-to-understand strategies and solutions to real-life situations, this is your guide to successful international expansion through global inbound marketing and translation services. You'll discover: How to align your expansion plans, communications, and brand with your company's digital marketing plan Four key components to build a successful Translation Management Plan Secrets to receiving better quality and more culturally appropriate translations from your translator Nine tactics to optimize your website and translate data for global SEO in your target market Interpreter options when you need to speak to your customers Huge advantages of cultivating a diverse workforce while expanding globally Connect with your buyers across every language and culture - no passport or overseas travel necessary. Get The Language of Global Marketing now and speak the language of success for your organization!

Bilingual Success Stories Around the World is a real-life roadmap to greater success and joy for any parent raising bilingual or multilingual children. Written by Adam Beck, author of the popular guide Maximize Your Child's Bilingual Ability.

Offers complete in-depth preparation for the Cambridge IGCSE® in English as a Second Language examination. The revised edition of this highly successful course offers complete preparation for all papers of the Cambridge IGCSE® in English as a Second Language examination. The book is endorsed by Cambridge for use with the revised syllabus. Key features include: stimulating topics, international in perspective and relevant to IGCSE students educational needs and interests; step-by-step development of the four skills to build confidence and competence; particular attention to developing a mature writing style with a focus on tone, register and audience awareness; exercises in grammar, vocabulary and spelling.

"The first half of this book examines the commercial, social, and political implications of American monolingualism. The second half of the book explores the techniques and tools that a working professional can use to acqure functional skills in a new language."--Back cover.

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