8 Languages Essential for Global Expansion in Business


8 Languages Essential for Global Expansion in Business
Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

10/11/2019

To remain competitive in the dynamic global business environment, you need to approach your target audience using their language.

You can hire professional business translation services to translate your message as intended for the audience.

Here are eight languages your enterprise should focus on to be competitive:

8 Languages Essential for Global Expansion in Business

1. Spanish

Spanish is widely spoken in the United States as Hispanics make up more than 30 percent of the US population.

The Hispanic population in America is expected to double by 2050. 

Spanish, which is spoken by 570 million native speakers, is also the main language of more than 20 countries.

With this in mind, businesses should address the needs of the Latin population in both America and Europe. This makes learning Spanish essential for any business.

2. Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world. There are over 1.05 billion native Mandarin speakers.

It is also the most widely spoken dialect in China and the second most popular language on the internet.

Every day, millions of products are exported from China to countries around the world.

As a growing business that wants to go global, being able to communicate with Chinese businesses is key.

3. German

Apart from Germany, German is spoken in other strong and stable economies such as Denmark, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland.

German is spoken by 105 million native speakers and more than 80 million global speakers. These numbers make learning the language important for any business.

4. Portuguese

Portuguese is the second most spoken language in South America with more than 215 million global speakers.

This language has the greatest potential of becoming the international African and South American language, according to UNESCO. 

Learning Portuguese is vital for any entrepreneur, given that it’s the fifth most used language online.

5. Arabic

Arabic is the official language of most Middle East countries. Considering the growth of real estate, construction, and oil businesses in the Middle East, learning Arabic can give your business an edge in these industries. 

Arabic is spoken by 422 million native speakers and being fluent in it can open many business opportunities for you.

6. French

French is the second most popular language in the European Union and is spoken by 79 million native speakers.

Many people around the globe speak French due to their country’s colonial ties with France. 

If you intend to market your products globally, learn French as there are millions of non-native French speakers across the globe.

7. Japanese

Japanese is spoken by 130 million native speakers and is the sixth most-used language online. Japan is known for its technological advancements. 

If your business focuses on technology, electronics, and research, Japanese will be an important language to learn.

8. Russian

Russian is an official UN language and is spoken by 200 to 260 million native speakers.

Russian is also an official language in most post-Soviet nations and is the seventh most popular language for online users.

Learning Russian can help your business expand in post-Soviet countries.

If you are an entrepreneur looking to expand your business globally, learning the languages above will help you gain footing in the foreign market.

You may also need help from a professional business translation services for effective translation and localization of the content on your website.

Also Read: Human Language Translation Services: Overview and Importance in Global Business

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Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy is the Cofounder & President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc., a California-based company that has been providing accurate and fast transcription services since 2004. She has enjoyed nearly ten years of success at GMR, playing a pivotal role in the company's growth. Under Beth's leadership, GMR Transcription doubled its sales within two years, earning recognition as one of the OC Business Journal's fastest-growing private companies. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.