The rapid rise of remote work and international collaboration has made multilingual teams increasingly common. In today’s globalized work environment, professionals often work alongside colleagues from different parts of the world, each with their own primary language. Communication on multilingual teams usually happens in a shared language, commonly English, but this can pose challenges for English learners or those for whom English is an additional language (EAL). When people communicate in a language they are less comfortable with, it can lead to misunderstandings, delayed communication, and a lack of confidence.
But what if you could write in your primary language at work and instantly translate your text into fluent-sounding English? With advancements in AI translation tools, this is now possible. For example, Grammarly allows you to generate fluent English text and translate 19 of the most widely spoken languages into English instantly—wherever you’re already communicating with coworkers. Fluency suggestions and full-paragraph rewrites help EAL professionals easily and quickly polish their writing in English.
Multilingual teams are now a regular feature of many industries, and the pressure to communicate effectively is growing. As businesses expand globally, having the right tools to bridge language gaps is becoming essential for operational success.
What is a multilingual work team?
A multilingual work team is composed of employees who have different primary languages but come together to collaborate on shared goals. In many cases, English is used as the shared language, as it is the most commonly spoken additional language globally. However, this can create challenges, especially when people who speak English as an additional language struggle to fully express their ideas.
For many EAL speakers, communicating in English can slow down their productivity and increase miscommunication. Complex ideas are sometimes lost in translation, and employees may not feel as confident contributing their ideas.
Advantages of writing in your primary language
Business advantages
- Speed: It’s much faster to think and write in your primary language. Spending less time finding the right words or translating your thoughts makes communication that much more efficient.
- Clarity: When you can communicate in your primary language, you are more likely to be precise and articulate. This leads to fewer misunderstandings and helps ensure that your ideas are conveyed accurately.
- Comprehension: Writing in your primary language allows you to understand and retain information better, which leads to faster and more effective work. Translating into English can cause you to lose some of the nuances of your message.
However, it’s not always possible to write in your primary language when your colleagues don’t speak it. This is where AI-powered translation tools can step in, providing quick and reliable translations to bridge the communication gap. By using tools like Grammarly’s translation feature, multilingual teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of the languages they speak.
Emotional and psychological benefits
The emotional and psychological impact of writing in your primary language at work should not be underestimated. For many professionals, writing in an additional language can be stressful and lead to a lack of confidence in their communication abilities. When people feel they can communicate clearly, they’re more likely to contribute to discussions, share ideas, and engage fully in their work.
Moreover, writing in your primary language offers a level of comfort that’s difficult to replicate when using an additional language. It reduces the cognitive load associated with translation, allowing you to focus more on the content of your communication rather than on the mechanics of it.
This enhanced confidence and comfort can lead to better overall performance, as employees feel more empowered to take ownership of their tasks and collaborate more effectively with their teammates.
Top uses for AI translation at work
AI translation tools can be particularly helpful in both low-stakes and high-stakes scenarios at work.
AI translation for low-stakes communication
Low-stakes communication includes:
- Instant messaging
- Meeting agendas
- Informal emails
For these kinds of communication, AI translation is a fast and effective way to ensure your colleagues understand your intent without the need for extensive human review. In these low-risk scenarios, occasional translation errors are minor issues. The main objective is to communicate the message effectively. AI translation facilitates smoother, faster communication, allowing you to concentrate on your tasks without being overly concerned with language nuances.
AI translation for high-stakes communication
High-stakes communication includes:
- Formal reports and emails
- Presentations
- Client-facing communication
With this kind of communication, the stakes are higher, and the margin for error is smaller. In these situations, simply translating text without awareness of tone and English language idiosyncrasies isn’t always sufficient. Grammarly’s fluency suggestions, full-paragraph rewrites, and tone transformations turn translated text into English prose that sounds natural and concise.
Benefits of using AI translation tools
Using AI translation tools at work can provide numerous benefits for both individuals and teams. These tools can help you improve your English writing skills while you work. By translating between languages, you can strengthen your understanding of English syntax and vocabulary. Grammarly’s built-in English writing tips help you learn as you work, in every app or website you type in.
Grammarly’s translation feature lets you translate content directly in-line without switching between platforms. This seamless integration is key for maintaining focus and efficiency while working.
Moreover, AI translation tools help ensure that multilingual teams feel supported, enhancing collaboration and team cohesion.
Popular AI translation tools
Several popular AI translation tools are commonly used to support multilingual teams:
- Google Translate: This is one of the most well-known tools for quick translations, though it can sometimes struggle with nuanced language or context.
- DeepL: This product is renowned for its accuracy and ability to handle complex translations with context-aware functionality, making it ideal for formal communication.
- ChatGPT: A more conversational AI tool, ChatGPT is capable of understanding context and producing humanlike translations.
- Grammarly: Grammarly’s translation feature offers seamless in-line translation for improved workflow, ensuring that employees don’t have to leave their current application. This feature is particularly useful for internal documentation and emails.
Tips for using AI translation at work
To make the most out of AI translation tools, it’s important to follow best practices. For low-stakes communication, such as internal emails and messages, AI translation can usually be trusted without requiring peer review. However, for high-stakes documents, such as presentations or client proposals, it’s always best to have a human peer review the translation to ensure accuracy.
Additionally, when working with large or complex documents, it’s recommended to break them into smaller sections. This ensures that the AI translation tool provides accurate results throughout the entire document. Always double-check the output before finalizing it, especially for important external communication.
Key takeaways
Writing in your primary language at work can enhance communication, reduce stress, and improve both clarity and comprehension. With the help of AI-powered translation tools like Grammarly, multilingual teams can communicate more effectively without the need to switch between platforms. Encouraging the use of AI translation tools in your workplace can significantly improve productivity, confidence, and overall job satisfaction.
To learn more about how AI tools can enhance multilingual communication in your team, check out these blog posts: Grammarly’s Business Writing Essentials and Effortless Multilingual Communication.