Linguistic identity and the impact of corporate organizational culture

The article analyses how language shifts within multinational organizations under foreign management influence, focusing on how communication styles are impacted depending on the social level within the company. Managers influence subordinates’ linguistic behaviors and as a result their cultural positioning. It highlights language as a marker of status and authority, with managers’ choices influencing subordinates’ adoption of similar linguistic forms, including vocabulary, speech patterns, and specialized jargon. English emerges as a global language in business settings, streamlining communication but posing challenges such as employee proficiency disparities and limiting linguistic diversity. Case studies like Rakuten’s English-only policy illustrate how language proficiency strategically affects multinational corporations, impacting cultural identity. Overall, the text explores the complexities of language in these environments, showcasing its evolution, challenges, and benefits in shaping organizational communication and cultural expression.