Are You Lost in Translation?

6 min readApr 2, 2024

In a world increasingly interconnected by technology, travel, and trade, yet very diverse encountering language barriers has become an almost inevitable part of our daily lives. Whether we’re communicating with someone from a different cultural background, traveling to a foreign country, or working in a multinational company, the risk of getting “lost in translation” looms large.

Misunderstandings created due to language differences can lead to confusion, frustration, and even unintended consequences. But let’s not worry. There are proven ways to deal with such situations in the corporate world. There are strategies that we can employ to minimize the chances of miscommunication and navigate the intricate landscape of language barriers effectively.

Here are a few suggested tips to help steer clear of getting lost in translation:

1. Simplify Vocabulary

It will be considered as a real display of unnecessary ‘show off’ if one fine day we decide to speak ‘Shakespearian English’ at our workplace full of diverse workforce. The outcome will instantly be in front of us in shape of shocked employees with long faces, gossiping with their colleagues and zero comprehension. Same goes for writing — when we write in plain language, our target audience can easily read, understand and take action the first time they read our messages. Writing plainly means writing to be understood, using familiar language in a logical way.

Towards the end of the talk, always ask your audiences to confirm their understanding. If it’s an in-person meetings, encourage the audiences to clarify issues (if any) through asking questions. In case of emails, still ask the readers to confirm their understanding via return email. When communicating across language barriers, opt for simplicity and clarity. Use straightforward language, avoid jargons, and break down complex ideas into digestible chunks. Remember, the goal is mutual understanding, not impressing others with your linguistic prowess.

2. Be Mindful of Cultural Nuances

Being culturally sensitive is all about recognising and understanding that we value, appreciate and welcome all diverse cultural backgrounds. Cultural awareness makes it easy to explore the world. It allows us to understand the differences and acknowledge them. Being self-aware about different cultures prevents us from offending others. In this process, we can work more effectively across cultural lines. We get a better understanding and broader views of different cultures. As a result, we can build deeper connections with people worldwide.

Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and words or phrases may carry different meanings or connotations in various cultural contexts. Let’s take the time to familiarise ourselves with the cultural norms and customs of the person or group we’re communicating with. This awareness will help us avoid inadvertently causing offence or misunderstanding.

3. Practice Active Listening

Communication is a two-way street, and effective communication requires active listening. Let’s pay close attention to verbal and nonverbal cues, and seek clarification if something is unclear. Demonstrating attentiveness and receptiveness fosters a collaborative atmosphere conducive to mutual understanding.

Active listening is a communication skill that involves going beyond simply hearing the words that another person speaks. It’s about actively processing and seeking to understand the meaning and intent behind them. It requires being a mindful and focused participant in the communication process.

4. Avoid Ambiguous Language

One of the benefits companies find when embracing remote work models is a sudden expansion of the available workforce. When a physical location is no longer a limiting factor, hiring teams can seek out the best new talent from around the globe. International hires can bring invaluable new ideas and capabilities to a team. Remember, Ambiguity is the enemy of effective communication, especially when language barriers do exist.

Let’s be precise and specific in our choice of words, and avoid ambiguous phrases or expressions that could be interpreted in multiple ways. Being unnecessarily philosophical and / or ambigious during an in-person employee townhalls or via zoom calls or through long emails does no good to the leaders as well as to the employees. Rather it is a sheer waste of time and resource. Leaders’ prime objective should be to convey their messages to their employees’ ease and confirm so that they clearly understand as what is being said and what is expected in return.

5. Make Empathy Visible

One of the most desired skills that the senior management looks for these days for hiring managers is empathy — a vital leadership competency. Empathetic leadership means having the ability to understand the needs of others, and being aware of their feelings and thoughts. Unfortunately, it has long been a soft skill that’s overlooked as a performance indicator.

Research has shown that today’s successful leaders must be more ‘People-focused’ and able to work well with people from varying teams, departments, countries, cultures, and backgrounds. Dealing with language barriers can be frustrating, but patience and empathy are essential virtues. Recognize that language proficiency varies among individuals, and refrain from becoming impatient or dismissive. Cultivating empathy fosters goodwill and facilitates smoother communication.

In a nutshell

The organisational leadership must really know what are they losing in translation? Is it:

Confused employees
Demotivated workforce
Reduced productivity
Faster Turnover
Dip in revenues

While language barriers may present challenges, they need not be insurmountable obstacles to effective communication. By employing the above tips — simplifying language, being mindful of cultural nuances, practicing active listening, avoiding ambiguous language, making empathy visible, we can navigate the complexities of language barriers with confidence and finesse. Remember, effective communication transcends words; it is about fostering connections and understanding across linguistic and cultural divides.

About the Author

Muhammad Sajwani is a C-Level HR, Transformation Leader, Board Advisor, Business Coach & Organisational Consultant working in the capacity of Managing Director, Evolve HR. He is an author, columnist and a contributor who besides writing for other platforms also regularly writes at BizCatalyst 360. He brings along 30+ years of local & international experience. He is a change catalyst specializing in unleashing the human Dreamgenius through Leadership, Creativity and Change Management. Muhammad has been instrumental in helping organizations come to terms with organizational changes like right-sizing and business process re-engineering. His innovative approach & high personal competence encourages people to not only accept change, but also to excel in it. Muhammad has diverse experience in conducting strategic & management development programs, conferences & events for organizations across sectors.