How Does the Host Language Proficiency of Expatriates Affect Interaction and Trust Building in a Host Country Context?

Abstract

Scholarly research has explored the relationship between language skills used by expatriates for local management and adjustment, as well as the impact of trust on organizational performance. However, there is a lack of in-depth exploration concerning the specific role of language, particularly the host country language, in enhancing host country nationals’（ HCNs） trust in expatriates and nurturing successful expatriate-HCN relationships. To address this gap, this study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 6 expatriates and 11 HCNs working in China. By incorporating insights from both perspectives, this study found that the host language proficiency of expatriates and the corporate language （English） proficiency of HCNs mutually reinforce each other, co-shaping distinct cross-cultural interaction styles and influencing trust-building. These findings highlight the necessity of considering the language proficiency of diverse cross-cultural groups to establish a conducive communicative environment and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of local trust building characterized by variations in language proficiency in cross-lingual interactions.