The Use of BELF at the Human Resources Department of Nestlé's Baby Food Factory

Abstract

English is the most used language in the Western business world, and English proficiency has become a highly regarded skill. Previous research describes the phenomenon of English as the business lingua franca (BELF), with its focus on vocabulary and simple grammar. Studies have shown that a common corporate language benefits organizations in terms of time optimalization, cohesion, and an increase of efficiency. Specialized departments such as Human Resources frequently require extensive knowledge of specific job-related jargon, which has been proven to be a struggle for many employees. Using a survey and semi-structured interviews about English proficiency and the use of English, this paper analyzed in what ways BELF is used, whether BELF is exploited beneficially by two HR employees of the Nunspeet Nestlé factory, and whether improvements can be made. The findings imply a significant lack of BELF proficiency, time-consuming translations using Google Translate, and a preference for speaking and writing in Dutch by the Dutch native participants, regardless of the proficiency of international employees.