An Analysis of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Practitioners’ Language Attitudes and Ideologies toward International Business Activities (A Perspective of Local and Global)

Abstract

Notwithstanding the importance of English language, local languages are seen as crucial for achieving success in global business. Through qualitative interviews with three Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship (SME) practitioners who export Indonesian products internationally, this study examines the influence of globalisation on language ideologies and attitudes of Indonesian SME practitioners involved in international business. Besides English, participants emphasised the importance of national language (Indonesian), for domestic trade and governance, while regional languages such as Minangnese and Javanese languages also foster personal relationships, business networks, and economic trust that are also very important in their global business activities. This multilingual proficiency enhances business prospects and reinforces cultural identity as well as national pride. The findings also discovered the implications of linguistic and cultural sensitivity in enhancing international business success, contributing to understanding the interplay between language, globalisation, and business, highlighting the significance of language ideologies in the internationalisation of SMEs.