Language and Foreign Trade
Mélitz, Jacques (2004) Language and Foreign Trade. Discussion paper. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
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Abstract
The significance of a common language in foreign trade hinges on translation as well as the ability to communicate directly. In fact, without admitting the facility of translation from one or two selected languages, it is impossible to explain adequately the impact of a common language on foreign trade in the usual estimates. Linguistic diversity at home also promotes foreign trade. But the most significant linguistic influence of all on foreign trade may be the ability to read and write any language whatever. Besides these basic results, the study examines three special issues: whether English and other European languages are more effective than other languages in promoting foreign trade; whether there are substitution effects of a common language in foreign trade; and whether network externalities of language impinge on foreign trade.
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Item type: Monograph(Discussion paper) ID code: 67699 Dates: DateEventFebruary 2004PublishedNotes: Published as a paper within the Discussion Papers in Economics, No. 03-09 (2004) Subjects: Language and Literature > Modern European Languages
Social Sciences > Economic TheoryDepartment: Strathclyde Business School > Economics Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 07 May 2019 10:48 Last modified: 18 Aug 2024 00:42 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/67699