Global englishes: Dialogue and communication in the workplace

This chapter considers the role of English as the language of business, exploring how in an increasingly globalised world, English is now central to workplace communication. After contextualising the growth of English, we consider the status of the language in different continental locations. We make a distinction between English as a Native Language (ENL), English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) and Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF). In conclusion, we consider questions of ownership and appropriation in relation to the language itself, examining the implications of language choice in shaping how contemporary workplaces operate.