Volume: 7  Number: 2&3  Page: 307–327  doi:10.2167/cilp100.0

On Language Management in Multinational Companies in the Czech Republic

Jiří Nekvapila and Marek Nekulab aDepartment of Linguistics, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic and bBohemicum, University of Regensburg, Germany

In this paper, we demonstrate the dialectical relationship between micro and macro language planning: macro planning influences micro planning and yet macro planning results (or should result) from micro planning. The relation between the two planning perspectives is illustrated within the framework of Language Management Theory (Jernudd & Neustupný, 1987; Neustupný & Nekvapil, 2003). We deal with the relations between various levels of ‘organised management’, and with the role of the ‘simple, i.e. discourse-based management’ in organised language management. Attention is also given to the impact of organised language management on naturally occurring discourses and discourse-based management. The paper is empirically based on research carried out during the past two years in branches of multinational companies or corporations founded in the Czech Republic by German, Austrian or Swiss owners. We focus primarily on the situation in a subsidiary of a Siemens corporation. The languages which have become the subject of management activities here are German, English, and Czech. The data we work with were obtained using various types of interviews (semi-structured, follow-up) as well as audio-recordings and participant observation.

Keywords: language management, micro language planning, multinational corporations, Siemens, Czech, German, English

© 2006 J. Nekvapil & M. Nekula

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