The two pieces that were read before writing this blog post were Translingual Literacy, Language Difference, and Matters of Agency and Language Difference in Writing: Toward a Translingual Approach Both, both of these works were authored by Min-Zhan Lu and Bruce Horner, the latter of the two works had two additional authors: Jacqueline Jones Royster, and John Trimbur.
The main idea behind both of these works is how language affects writing and how requiring nonstandard American English writers to adhere to the rules and organization of the “standard” written English of the United States could affect many different aspects of communication and interaction, both professionally and socially.
To begin, our authors focus greatly on the change in migrant patterns in recent history and the increase in the number of people living in the United States who speak a language or languages beyond English. This point leads us to the understanding that English is subject to change which means the number and forms of English are multiplying.
I know what you are thinking: How does this affect business writing? The answer is it affects business writing greatly. In business, understanding and clarity are paramount for success. A business cannot run efficiently or hardly at all if its members cannot communicate effectively or succinctly nor can businesses operate externally and interact with one another nor trade occur whenever misunderstandings or other failures to communicate are constantly arising. With a world that is now so constantly well connected, interaction across continents, languages and cultures is incredibly common, an everyday occurrence. This truth means that clarity and understanding in language and writing is necessary for businesses to run smoothly within and without.
The authors of the afore mentioned texts are advocating that while it is important to have consistency in language to maintain clarity in communication, often times meaning can be lost when a strict monolinguistic approach is taken to communication. In an ever increasingly connected global economy it is key to find a balance between consistency in structure while also allowing for members from all cultures and tongues to communicate their exact meaning and thoughts behind their words.
To wrap up, here is my personal opinion: although individualism and cultural ties have their place and at times meaning or personal touch can be lost when adhering to a structure that is not necessarily natural or custom, it is more important to have consistent structure in communication, especially in business, than it is for translingual communication to be present in business writing. When communication, domestic of international (specifically for businesses, partners, collaborators, etc.), adheres to a more uniform form of communication there is far less confusion and misunderstanding than when different sides are all tapping into their own unique form of writing. There is no doubt that there is a place for “translingual” writing, its place is not in the business world.
WRC 2214 #DAB 