BELF in Finnish Work Industries : A qualitative study of the experiences of English as Business Lingua Franca of employees based in Finland.

Interculturality and mobility are increasing throughout the globe making societies more multicultural. Today, we can recognize English to be a lingua franca, a shared language for those who do not share their mother tongue. Due to this development, companies are transitioning into work environments where English is used as a business lingua franca (BELF). This thesis aims to investigate individuals’ experiences, opinions and emotions attached to BELF in work environments in Finland. Data for this study was collected in the beginning of 2023 through an anonymous online survey. The survey consisted of 28 questions, both multiple choice and open-ended questions. The survey was sent through email to potential respondents, gathering in total twenty responses. The analysis of the data is conducted through qualitative thematic analysis to identify categorical themes of language attitudes, experiences of BELF, and how respondents perceive cultural neutrality and forms of successful communication. The research findings suggest that negative experiences are more discussed and detectable as respondents can articulate and distinguish them better, in comparison to positive experiences. The research further demonstrates that respondents view BELF positively due to the different opportunities that are presented through the transition. Successful BELF communication is recognized to be successful through the use of field-specific vocabulary. Cultural neutrality is viewed in many ways by respondents, where it creates at times a cultural-neutral environment, but not always, leaving the study inconclusive on this matter. Furthermore, suggestions for future research focuses on the individual’s experience and qualitative research in order to get a more extensive understanding on the implications of BELF for individuals.