Multilingual Internet
2. English is the mother tongue of only 5% of world's population
This means that a relatively small number of the world's population can comunicate well in English
3. The position of English is beginning to change
Why?
More and more people are accessing the Internet nowadays, including many businesses wanting to conduct e-business
Because of that people would rather buy things online if they can order in their own language
However, the use of English can also be a threat to cultural diversity
1. Is English the world's most widely spoken language?
If this were true, it would bring enormous benefits for bouth worldwide comunications and understanding
5. Small local companies
If they are doing e-business only in the language of their target market, they will certainly be at an advantage
And if they are aware of cultural aspects of that market too
4. Multilingual websites
Companies are now beginning to realise that they have to translate their websites for the increase of their various customers
It's not an easy task
There are technical and linguistic problems
Companies are unable to use automated translation systems
Moreover, they need time to translate their sites
Some of the companies need to adapt their advertising materials not to offend different cultures