Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Jan 2025

Employees’ Language Choices and Usage Pattern: A Study on Corporate India

Seemita Mohanty National Institute of Technology Rourkela ; Shraddha Chatterjee National Institute of Technology Rourkela

Abstract

Amid a multitude of languages, English is given primacy in business and commerce in India. This study examines the language choices and usage pattern in the corporate world to understand how the diverse linguistic base of employees is utilized across the workplace. Data were collected through Google Forms and in-depth interviews. Results show that English is the preferred language for all official communications. A strong command over English is crucial for job interviews and client requirements. However, employees prefer regional languages when conversing informally, and a majority also want regional languages to be a part of the formal communication process.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-01-23
DOI
10.1177/23294906241312384
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