Language solutions for workplaces
Working in Finnish, English or both? Benefits and disadvantages.
Management and HR
Reading time approximately 10 minutes.
Raises awareness of how different language solutions affect the work community.
There is no universal template for the multilingual workplace, even for expert work. That said, at least three different language solutions can be observed in multilingual working communities at Finnish workplaces. The benefits (+) and disadvantages (–) of these solutions are presented next.
Language Solution A: Let's all speak English
English is the most widely known foreign language in the Finnish context, being part of the linguistic repertoire of many working-age individuals.
English is often viewed as the egalitarian choice: is often used as a shared language in situations in which participants do not speak English as their first language.
Not everyone is fluent in English and using it can be stressful. Lack of language proficiency may threaten individuals’ professional identity or career progress opportunities.
Brainstorming solutions is easier using one’s native language, and therefore a solely English-speaking workplace can impede this.
Even in a work community that has English as the official language, a lack of skills in the local language makes it more difficult to adapt and integrate into a new country. Those with no proficiency in Finnish may find themselves touching a glass ceiling.
Language solution B: Speak (and learn) Finnish
Those who speak Finnish as a second language are given opportunities to improve their proficiency in Finnish. Improving language proficiency consequently improves opportunities for career progression.
For Finnish-speakers, working in Finnish is less stressful and may improve the quality of their work.
When Finnish is the main language of a workplace, it is also natural to handle external communications in Finnish.
Those who speak Finnish as a second language are given opportunities to improve their proficiency in Finnish. Improving language proficiency consequently improves opportunities for career progression.
Many feel that they are unable to perform their duties as trained professionals in their own fields with imperfect language proficiency, and that their expertise does not always come out when they speak Finnish.
For a language learner, speaking and listening to their second language can be exhausting, and working using a new language can take more time than using their strongest language.
Language Solution C: Multilingualism
In some workplaces people switch languages flexibly according to the needs of the situation and those who are speaking. One concept is that of parallel lingualism – communicating by using two or more languages in parallel. There is also receptive multilingualism, which means that of the common languages, each person uses the one that is strongest for them when they speak.
Each individual may use their native language or their strongest language of the agreed options.
Translating workplace documents into different languages may often reduce unnecessary rambling and jargon. Clearer communication benefits the entire work community.
Receptive multilingualism requires the speakers to have at least a passive knowledge of each other’s strong languages. In addition, it would be good for those speaking to know each other’s language skills and what their goals in improving these skills might be.
Parallel lingualism brings practical challenges ranging from resources (translating all texts is expensive) to problems of attitude (mixing different languages can be seen as difficult).
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©2024 Johanna Komppa, Eveliina Korpela, Lari Kotilainen, Salla Kurhila ja Inkeri Lehtimaja
Työpaikkojen erilaiset kieliratkaisut, elokuu 2024, jonka tekijät ovat Johanna Komppa, Eveliina Korpela, Lari Kotilainen, Salla Kurhila ja Inkeri Lehtimaja, on lisensoitu Creative Commons Nimeä 4.0 Kansainvälinen -lisenssillä. Materiaali on saatavilla osoitteessa kielibuusti.fi.