Chapter 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definitions
Although there are many explanations for the term “multilingual” from various sources
on the internet and in books, none comes close to the Cambridge Dictionary and Oxford
Dictionary. They offer the best explanation for this term. According to the Cambridge
Dictionary, the definition for the term “multilingual” is:
a person being able to speak or use two or more languages at an excellent or near-native
level
A “multilingual employee/staff/worker” is:
Able to speak and communicate in two or more languages
Or as the Oxford Dictionary defines it:
speaking or using several different languages
There are many definitions, but these definitions are the best in explaining this term
properly.
2.2 Number of multilingual people
2.2.1 In the world
Based on the research by staff members of the Journal of Neurolinguistics, almost half of
the world's people (43%) are bilingual, meaning they can interpret two languages
fluently. In addition, 17% of people around the world are multilingual, meaning they can
interpret three languages and above fluently. However, only 40% of people in the world
are monolingual, meaning they can only speak one language.
2.2.2 In Vietnam
In Article 5 of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the government of
Vietnam admits itself to be a multilingual nation. As the process of globalization is going
strong in Vietnam, learning English, besides Vietnamese and the native language of the
ethnic minorities, has become of major importance. According to a report made by UK
Daily mail, a private media outlet based in the UK, more than half of Vietnamese people
(53,81%) can speak English on a multitude of levels. Many Vietnamese can speak more
than 2 languages, but the number is not significant, most concentrated in metropolitans
such as Hanoi and Saigon.
2.3 Benefits of Multilingualism in Vietnam
2.3.1 Higher Employment and Career Advancement Opportunities
In Vietnam, multilingualism has proven to be beneficial to the youth, especially in
employment. They can potentially take jobs that require applicants to be proficient in
using the target language, e.g.: interpreter, salesman/woman, foreign language teacher, et
cetera. If they are skilled workers or scholars, the door to become global citizens open to
them. They can apply for jobs overseas and work in the comfort of their houses, or they
can work abroad and settle in the country that employs them. Having better employment
opportunities will also lead to better finances. Also, being a monolingual speaker, they
will experience greater hardship in getting employed than their peers. (Gorter, 2015).
It is also worth noting that multilingual people also have a higher chance of being
promoted in their fields as they are excellent in what they do. Thus, making their salary
higher and advancing their career in the long run. However, the same cannot be said for
people who can only speak one language as they are less likely to be promoted, thus it is
harder for them to advance in their careers. (Bower, 2023)
2.3.2 Better Economic Opportunities
On average, people with knowledge of many languages tend to earn more than
monolingual people up to 5 to 20% (Euromonitor, 2012). They are also more likely to be
approved for salary raises annually or every 2 quarters of a financial year. On the other
side, monolingual folks are less likely to be approved of salary raises. 48% of survey
takers admit that they feel at a disadvantage for not having a foreign language (Bower,
2023).
2.3.3 Multilingual people tend to be smarter and less likely to experience memory
loss
Research made by Vicorio Marian and Andrew Shook in 2012 suggests that being
multilingual affects the brain structure positively. They improve cognitive and
neurological ability from childhood up into adulthood, help the brain to process
information more efficiently, and prevent memory decline, especially as old age sets in
which will reduce cognitive ability which is a typical occurrence in older people.
Research also suggests that multilingualism is associated with higher awareness of
linguistics as well as greater visual skills, and even creativity.
2.4 Problems multilingual people face in workplaces
2.4.1 Cultural sensitivities boundary
Knowing many languages is good, but learning about their cultures is also equally
important. When they work in an international workplace, they must know the cultural
boundary between them and their colleagues. You cannot bring your culture to the
workplace and expect everyone to know about your culture. You must draw a clear line
between you and them or else you will risk the chance of potentially ruining the working
relationship between you and your colleagues or worse, you can lose your job or
probably your career as well. (Culture Wizard, 2010)
The research is conducted on both quantitative and qualitative approaches
2.4.2 Stereotypical from different backgrounds
Now, having a diverse cultural environment is great for the corporation, and it
encourages learning about your colleagues’ culture. However, it is not good for you or
your colleagues to receive the “short end of the stick” when it comes to your background.
People tend to be judgmental against other people who are different than them when it
comes to skin color, culture, accent, et cetera (Fekedulegn, 2019). For example, the
Japanese tend to think Vietnamese as thieves, while the Vietnamese tend to think
Japanese as fake. There are more examples that we can list here but it should give you a
general idea of the typical problem that we face when working in an international
environment. We should put aside our differences and work together for the job.
