Wirtschaftsspanisch

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• "Why bother with a certificate in Spanish when English is the language of international business?"

There are, in fact, two reasons why mastering Spanish as a means of communication, both at work and in business, and obtaining a certificate from such a prestigious institution as the Malaga Chamber of Commerce should be taken most seriously:

1. Firstly, Spanish is now the western world's second most-spoken language , with over three hundred and fifty million people thinking and expressing themselves in Spanish. Furthermore, Spanish as an economic and professional language is growing at a rapid rate as Spanish-speaking countries such as Spain, Mexico, Chile and the south of the United States become increasingly important in economic and business terms.
2. Secondly, in a world as competitive as the one we now live in, it is becoming more and more important to "speak our clients' language".

You might also come to the conclusion that simply acquiring a good level of Spanish is sufficient. A good level of Spanish will always be the key to the success of any form of communication, whether professionally or leisure orientated. However, those who have experience of using a foreign tongue in a professional context know that there are certain linguistic elements that acquire immense importance where work-related matters are concerned.

• Numbers and figures
  Competent perception of numbers and quantities is absolutely essential in a working environment.
  Numbers are everywhere: business figures, of course, but also dates, flight
  departure times, terminal and counter numbers, boarding gates, telephone and
  passport numbers .
• Letters
  Names of individuals and companies, addresses, codes, e-mails, webs.
  We face a further difficulty in the form of combinations of numbers and letters, a
  common feature of technical language.

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There are other skills required to get by in Spanish in a working environment. We shall make a distinction between oral and written skills:

Oral skills

• Using the telephone
  On some occasions, we may speak to someone by telephone before we meet them in person. Often, our first image, our first impression, is formed over the telephone. As well as familiarity with the content of the conversation, a
  mastery of the expressions and functions that characterise telephone calls in
  Spanish companies is also required.
• Presentations
  Here, we can include all manner of presentations, ranging from formal affairs in a packed auditorium to impromptu, informal talks delivered glass-in-hand. Whatever the type, we still need to know what to say and how to say it. If we are able to do so in our own language, then we only require the phrases that will provide a framework for our speech.
• Interviews and work meetings
  We must be capable of understanding the gist of what is going on, following the topic that is currently being dealt with and reaching the correct conclusions.
  We must be capable of expressing ourselves clearly so that all of our listeners understand our message without any ambiguity. The appropriate tone and register are essential. If our level of Spanish is basic, neutral language, simple but safe, is the best option.
• Negotiations
  Here, we can also include all types of conversation via which deals are conducted, regardless of whether or not an agreement is reached. From making an appointment at a time that is convenient for us to handling million-euro transactions, all require certain skills. In our own language, we all have such resources. Where a foreign tongue is concerned, it is important not only to be fluent in the language but also to appreciate the socio-linguistic environment which those we are speaking to inhabit if we are to achieve our aims.
• Language for social situations
  These include introducing oneself and others, accepting or declining an invitation, giving thanks or making a complaint in the appropriate tone. Again, we must master the language required in order to achieve our goals.

Written Language

Recent years have seen written language acquire greater importance, firstly as a result of the fax and then with the advent of e-mail. Nowadays, the ability to write properly, be it a letter in the old school tradition or a mobile phone message, not forgetting the drawing up of more important documents, is something we cannot afford to neglect.
We shall concentrate on the commercial documents that most frequently characterise business communication:

• Letters
  The style of a business letter is usually formal. The salutation used should be appropriate to the person or people to whom the letter is addressed, the content should be clear and ordered and the ending must be coherent with the rest of the letter.
• Faxes
  Information transmitted by fax may be presented as a letter. The style of a fax message may be formal, informal or neutral depending on the subject and the recipient.
• E-mails
  E-mails have two distinct styles: a semi-formal business style and a more informal personal style. e emphasis is on the efficient provision or exchange of information.
  In addition to these three indispensable means of business communication, we should also be familiar with the use of memos, reports, meeting agendas, minutes and short notes.
  Even if we use a translation service, it is still a good idea to have sufficient knowledge at our disposal to be able to detect the presence of inappropriate shades of meaning or inaccurate information.

Socio-Cultural Environment

Prior knowledge of the socio-cultural environment in which we will be operating is essential. As we mentioned earlier in the section on language for social situations, it is important to understand not only the content of the message itself but also the meaning that the speaker wishes to give to it through his or her particular manner of expression.

One thing which tends to surprise people when they come into contact with a Spanish company for the first time is the speed with which formal conduct is replaced by informality. For this reason, it is important not to be perturbed by this type of behaviour, which is completely normal, yet at the same time not to make the mistake of attempting to respond in like manner if one's level of Spanish is insufficient to do so: informal language is much more difficult to use than formal structures.

Terminology

In addition to familiarity with Business Spanish, a minimum knowledge of the terminology used within the company is required. The speaker will be expected to be able to both understand and use the most common terms in the fields of Advertising, Banking, Buying and selling, Money, Company structure, Contracts, Law, Insurance, Employment, Import-Export and Marketing, in addition to the expressions most frequently used in Presentations and Meetings.

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THE SPANISH FOR BUSINESS CERTIFICATE OF MALAGA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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