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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes The history of the Dutch language spans some fifteen centuries and can be divided into five stages: Old Dutch, Middle Dutch, Early Modern Dutch, Modern Dutch and the Dutch of the 21st century. From “Hebban olla vogala” to “selfie”: in every stage, the language reflects...

In our increasingly globalised world, collaborating with international teams is no longer an exception but rather the norm. Whether you do business with partners abroad, manage an international team, or work with customers from different cultures, effective communication is crucial. Managing cultural differences in international teamwork is essential for overcoming...

Non-verbal communication across cultures Communication goes far beyond words. What we do not say can often be just as powerful, if not more powerful, than what we do say. Non-verbal communication covers a wide range of behaviours, from body language and facial expressions to gestures and tone of voice. In...

Importance of diversity in the workplace In an increasingly global world, diversity is no longer a choice but a necessity for companies that want to grow and innovate. Diversity in the workplace means more than just having employees from different ethnic backgrounds; it also includes variation in gender, age, skills,...

In an international team it’s important to make sure everyone in the company speaks the common language comfortably. But a common language is just the first step. How do you deal with a team that consists mostly of non-native speakers, and what if there is a variety of cultures involved...

For many cultures, December is a time for celebrations. Unknown to most of us there is a vibrant mix of cultural, religious, and regional celebrations across the world, all of which happen in December. This month offers so many of us a moment to take part in traditions which reflect...

It’s a wrap! Our webinar series on the future of international business is finished. In four episodes, we’ve delved into the changing labour market and its impact on HR trends, team diversity, and workplace cultures. We’ve explored crafting inclusive cultures where every teammember can excel. What must organisations do to...

In today’s professional landscape, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusive culture) buzzwords are everywhere. These terms are linked with training and development programs that aim to foster a workforce that embodies each of these three themes. While the intention behind these initiatives is great, the efforts often fall short, as they...

Why is intercultural competence necessary? As you may know, Language Partners and BBi Communication merged at the start of this year. We are now an organisation that not only offers Intercultural competence training, ut also has offices in four countries and colleagues from many more. Because of this, we felt...

As more and more companies do business in international markets, they often encounter unforeseen challenges that can lead to hilarious and, at times, cringe-worthy blunders. It is imperative to triple check your work, making sure you’re taking the necessary cultural perspectives into account. From mistranslations to cultural insensitivities, these unintentional...