Abstract
As the world becomes increasingly globalised, contemporary workplaces often become sites of linguistic diversity. Multilingualism can be both an asset and a challenge to be managed. After introducing key concepts (multilingualism, new speakers, and lingua franca), the chapter examines how language came to play a critical role in contemporary workplaces, how multilingual individuals can leverage their language skills into professional and personal mobility, and how modern enterprises seek to manage their increasingly multilingual workforces. A focus on the role of multilingualism in market development and customer service will be followed by an in-depth look at new speakers in contemporary workplaces.
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O’Rourke, B., Brennan, S.C. (2023). Multilingualism in the Workplace. In: Strani, K., Pfeiffer, K. (eds) Intercultural Issues in the Workplace. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42320-8_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42320-8_12
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