3 Tips for Starting a Business in a New Language | Entrepreneur

Often immigrants face the issue of fluency: they work in a language that is still new to them. Knowing some basic English and launching a business were two different things.

Plus, the jewelry business has specialized terms, such as jewelry types, styles and materials that aren't commonly used in everyday English. We were equally inexperienced in talking about these things, regardless of our language.

Regardless of your language, if you are learning a new one to do business in, here are my recommendations. Auto-translators are a wonderful invention, but language is highly complex, depending on context and nuance, things that computers cannot grasp.

Languages do not translate word-for-word, and specialized knowledge and business jargon are tricky enough that even people who speak the language don't always understand it. Auto-translators are a great starting point for understanding and an easy way to say "Hello!" or ask for directions in a new language, but do not rely solely on them for business purposes.

Writing in your second language isn't always easy; writing well in your second language is quite a feat. As I moved my sales business to new outlets, I had to communicate succinctly and clearly.

I didn't have the luxury of hiring someone who understood my language to translate, either: back then, Iran's internet access was filtered. The correct body language covers a multitude of language problems.

Confident, friendly body language puts people at ease and lets them know that you're brave, forthright and intelligent and that you are there to do business! I believe in taking advantage of the near-endless supply of information available online. On YouTube alone, countless videos explain American body language and gestures.

There are multiple behaviors to consider: personal space, appropriate touch, posture, gestures, facial expressions, positioning of your arms and legs, nodding and other small body movements, plus the fact that "Appropriate" behavior changes between friendly encounters and formal business meetings. Knowing a second language is a boon in almost any situation.

Monolingual entrepreneurs are encouraged to learn more than one language because it helps their businesses and brains. Leaders who speak multiple languages are creative, flexible thinkers who see alternate solutions to problems.

When you start a business in a second language, you are one of a growing group of innovative entrepreneurs leading the way in our global economy. Leverage that advantage by acknowledging the complexity of language, getting help with important communications, and learning culturally correct body language..