It took thousands of years for the world population to reach 1 billion in 1804 – then in just another 200 years, it has grown seven-fold. In 2011, the global population passed 7 billion, and it is expected to exceed 8.5 billion by 2030. In this blog, we look at the importance of communication and language development in an ever-growing world.
What is driving global population growth?
The remarkable rise in population growth across the globe has been largely driven by positive factors such as improved health and increased lifespans. It has been accompanied, however, by increasing urbanisation and accelerating migration. These trends have far-reaching implications as regional dialects and languages are affected and often diluted by outside influence.
In 2007, the increase in migration rates led to more people stating that they lived in urban areas than in rural areas for the first time in recorded history. It is estimated that by 2050, 68 per cent of the world population will be living in cities.
The implications on language development
These predictions for increased urban living have a major impact, affecting economic development, employment, and income distribution. They also affect the language we speak and how – and when – we communicate with each other.
The rise in global lifespans – from 64.6 years in the early 1990s to 72.6 years in 2019 – has also influenced the development of language. While new words and phrases are often coined by new generations, by living longer the older generations continue to influence the language of their offspring, leading to a broader and more diverse vernacular.
Effective global business communication
In an increasingly globalised world, businesses strive to operate across numerous continents. As a result, understanding the language and cultural differences in each area is a vital for bridging divides and making transactions smoother. Even within smaller geographic areas like Europe, it is important to develop an appreciation of the specific business customs of each country. While the advantages of global communication can be numerous, we can highlight four major benefits:
- Increased reach
A well-managed global communications strategy can allow you to expand your market of potential customers to include nearly everyone in the world. - Increased choice
If you can successfully communicate across borders, everyone is a potential supplier. - Increased talent pool
You are no longer limited to the talent pool in your city or town. You can hire remote workers anywhere in the world. - Increased ideas and initiatives
If someone on the other side of the globe has developed a more efficient way to do something, you can adopt those ideas for your business…provided you know about them.
The ramifications of the above can be huge. By utilising the global marketplace, it is possible to source inexpensive goods from Hong Kong, hire affordable talent from Singapore, and tap into a global distribution market. The caveat to this is that the communication strategy needs to be well planned to ensure its effectiveness.
As the world population continues to grow, language will be vital to maintain ties and develop effective and prosperous business links. If you want to excel in an ever-changing global business environment, speak to the language experts at Albion Languages who are ready to support you in guiding your organisation to new heights.