How can people overcome their complacency regarding language acquisition?
Peter Mathews: There is a complacency, especially in the UK, because English is the common commercial language. In spite of that, if you are a German or a British person selling a commodity in Spain and you do not speak Spanish, but say a Polish supplier does, the business will go to him. It is a matter of fact: He will have an advantage over the person who does not speak the customer’s language. Business is all about people. That means you have to know how to create an atmosphere where you can communicate better. S & B: On a practical basis, what can be done? Peter Mathews: We have got to raise a profile of the need for foreign languages as a tool for business. Using your business partner’s language should become quite natural on all levels of business communication. It is very important from the European point of view for us to realize that we are in a global market, not just a European one. We really have to adapt to languages from outside Europe: Mandarin, for example. Look, for ex
