Language is sometimes referred to as the soul of a country. It is essential in nation building, and bind the country’s people together to the common tongue. While there are a number of countries that have hundreds if not thousands of dialects, it is very rare for a country to have two major languages.

Language is an essential part of doing business, especially on a global scale. It is used in communication and correspondence, and a simple mistranslation could lead to disastrous and sometimes irreparable damages, which is why it is essential to master it if you want to have a leg up in the business world.

The internet has virtually brought the world together. Businesses and clients from the United States can now transact with partners and affiliates from halfway around the world in real time. This powerful platform has also opened up a lot of business opportunities that are seemingly impossible a couple of decades ago.

As mentioned above, language is vital in conducting international business. This begs the question, what are the best languages to learn for business.

When it comes to learning a language for business, it is essential to note the number of native speakers that use that particular language. The more people speak it, the bigger your market potential is. Thus, it is important to learn those that have millions if not billions of native speakers for you to be able to maximize your market.

Chinese/Mandarin

China is now opening its economic borders to the rest of the world. It is also important to note the country’s economic boom in recent years. An unprecedented rise in industry and businesses, along with a population of more than a billion people, no wonder why China is the biggest consumer market in the world.

Mandarin is the most widely spoken language, not only in China but in the world. Estimates put more than 1.5 billion people speak Mandarin around the world. Majority of which are native speakers, while the rest consider it as their second language. China is home to some of the world’s biggest tech companies. Corporations like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu have now invaded several global markets.

In terms of purchasing power, China consistently ranks on top of the global list. This means that Chinese people will spend a lot of money on purchasing products and various services. This is an excellent indicator of how good businesses and industries are in the country. If people have the money to spend, it is only a matter of bringing the best products into their hands.

With these vast prospects in terms of commerce and economy, Mandarin stands as one of the best languages to learn for business.

English

Widely considered as the world’s universal language, English is spoken by millions of people every day. More than 400 million people consider English as their native language, and it is the national language of some of the most powerful countries in the world. Among these countries are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Because of this popularity, you can meet English speakers almost anywhere.

Due to its popularity, English has become the primary mode of communication for many international organizations. Business around the globe usually corresponds in English, regardless of their local dialect. English has this sense of unifying feature that allows people to converse even if it is not their first language of choice.

Computers, smartphones, and almost any other forms of technology are programmed in English. With the growing demand for businesses in the tech industry, it would be very wise to learn English. Aside from business, top higher learning institutions and universities around the world use English.

In conclusion, English is great to learn for business. Not only that, as a universally recognized language, it plays an integral part both in government, businesses, technology, and communication in general.

Japanese

Japan is widely known for its affluent economy. Globally, there are around 140 million Japanese speakers. While not exactly on the same scale as Chinese or English, learning Japanese is still good for business. The reason behind this is quite simple. Japan is considered one of the world’s major trading and economic hub. Japan is also home to some of the world’s biggest companies.

Japan is well known for its technology and engineering industries. This makes learning Japanese an essential part of doing business. Japan holds tight to its culture and is very proud of it, which is why, despite the global proliferation of English and Chinese speakers, Japan continues to hold on to its Japanese language. This is exemplified by how major Japanese companies communicate. While some global companies have adopted English as their primary language, Japanese companies continue to communicate in their local tongue.

Japan is also on the frontlines of global innovation, not only in technology but also in social development. It has a significant influence in several sectors, including finance, medicine, energy, and food distribution. Tourism is also an essential industry in the country.

With these great attributes, it is safe to say that Japanese is an essential language to learn if you want to conduct or establish a global business. In mastering Japanese, you can tap into the country’s wide range of thriving industries. It is also essential in keeping good business relations and sustain growth and development when partnering with a Japanese company.