The Pervasive Influence of English in UK HR

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, the Human Resources (HR) department plays a pivotal role. Beyond the traditional duties of recruitment and employee welfare, HR professionals are increasingly becoming strategic architects of the workplace. However, a significant shift has been observed in the language used within this vital sector, with a notable surge in the adoption of English terms and phrases. This article delves into the reasons behind this linguistic trend, its implications for workplace communication, and the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between embracing global business language and preserving native terminology.

The Evolving Role of HR

The function of HR has undergone a profound transformation, especially in the context of digital advancement. As noted by Silva (2014), HR is now expected to act as an "architect or urban planner of company relations." This elevated role shifts the focus from mere employee skill management to a deeper understanding and influence of employee behaviours and values. This strategic repositioning necessitates a broader communication toolkit, and it is here that the influence of English becomes apparent.

A Lexicon of Anglicisms in Daily HR Operations

Step into a typical UK HR office today, and you might overhear conversations peppered with phrases like: "I'll forward you the reporting after I've checked my emails, and then I'll prepare the onboarding for the new Community Manager who's fully remote." This ubiquitous use of English loanwords is not unique to HR; it mirrors a broader trend across many professions. A quick glance at job advertisements confirms this, showcasing titles such as Business Developer, Chief Executive Officer, and Product Owner. The language of Shakespeare, it seems, has firmly established its presence in our professional vocabulary.

From recruitment processes, including sourcing and assessing soft skills, to the integration of new employees (preboarding and onboarding) and the utilisation of HR management tools like ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), English terms are embedded in the daily lexicon of HR professionals.

The Pushback: Preserving the Native Tongue

Despite this linguistic influx, it's worth noting that legislation, such as the Toubon Law in France (while not directly applicable to the UK, it highlights a global concern), champions the native language as the primary reference in the workplace. Such laws often stipulate that employment contracts and other crucial employee documents must be drafted in the national language. Where English job titles lack direct equivalents, detailed French descriptions are required to clarify the role's responsibilities. This serves as a reminder of the potential benefits of maintaining a strong native language presence in professional settings.

Why the Enduring Appeal of English?

Several factors contribute to the widespread adoption of English in professional environments, including HR:

• Globalisation and International Exchange: The surge in international business and collaboration has naturally led to the increased use of English as a common business language. Jérôme Saulière's 2014 thesis, "English Correctly Required: Dynamics and Issues of Anglicisation in French Companies," pinpoints the late 1990s and early 2000s as a period when English truly entered the everyday life of the average employee, coinciding with accelerated global trade.
• Association with Success and Innovation: English is often perceived as trendy, youthful, dynamic, and intrinsically linked to professional success. It is the language of the "start-up nation," championed by political leaders and embodying the innovative spirit associated with hubs like Silicon Valley. Terms like coworking, todolist, brainstorming, reporting, and open space are all part of this lexicon, evoking the aspirational "American dream" of professional achievement. It's unsurprising that HR departments embrace these terms to cultivate a modern and attractive employer brand.
• Professional Identity and Acculturation: The use of specific English vocabulary has become a marker of professional belonging, akin to a form of acculturation. As sociologist Agnès Vandevelde-Rougale explains, individuals often absorb this language through immersion, learning the jargon without conscious effort, much like interns pick up company-specific terminology. It becomes an unconscious part of their professional identity.
• Natural Language Evolution: Living languages are inherently dynamic and constantly evolving. New words, many of them of English origin, are integrated into dictionaries annually. It is natural for the professional sphere to reflect these societal linguistic shifts.

The Pitfalls of Excessive Anglicisms

While embracing English can offer advantages, an overreliance on Anglicisms poses significant risks. Just like with professional jargon, the proliferation of English terms can create a divide between those who understand the language and those who do not. This can lead to:

• Exclusion of Employees: A generation gap can emerge between English speakers and non-English speakers. New recruits may feel excluded from conversations filled with insider English terms whose meanings haven't been explained.
• Reduced Clarity: The use of English for commonplace actions, such as "forwarding an email" instead of "transferring an email," or "doing a reporting" instead of "providing a summary," can sometimes obscure rather than clarify meaning, especially if a perfectly suitable native equivalent exists.

Seeking French Alternatives

The philosopher Sophie Chassat wisely advises that the key lies in retaining the freedom to choose our words. "The challenge is not to ban Anglicisms, but to force ourselves to find French synonyms as often as possible," she suggests. "The real risk is that an impoverished language will quickly lead to impoverished and constrained thinking (and vice versa, a vicious circle)."

Consider the readily available French alternatives for commonly used English terms:

Many of the Anglicisms we use habitually have perfectly adequate French equivalents that are neither longer nor less impactful. The question remains: will we soon hear HR professionals in the UK saying, "I'll transfer the summary after checking my emails, and then I'll prepare the integration for the new social media coordinator working from home"?

The Spectrum of HR Practices

The modern HR department oversees a diverse range of practices, all of which are being reshaped by contemporary trends. These include innovative HR design, strategic sourcing, compensation and benefits (including bonuses), employee training and development, internal and external communication strategies, and succession planning. The aim is to integrate these functions into a unified and coherent service, often referred to as "Strategic HR." This strategic approach naturally lends itself to adopting language that reflects global business standards and innovation, further explaining the prevalence of English terms.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance

The integration of English into the HR lexicon in the UK is a complex phenomenon driven by globalisation, the desire for a modern image, and the natural evolution of language. While these terms can facilitate international communication and signal a forward-thinking approach, HR professionals must remain mindful of the potential for exclusion and the importance of clarity. By consciously seeking out and utilising native French alternatives where appropriate, HR departments can foster a more inclusive and linguistically rich workplace, ensuring that effective communication remains paramount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are HR professionals using so much English?

HR professionals adopt English terms due to increased international business, the association of English with innovation and success, and its role in professional acculturation. It's also a reflection of evolving business language.

Can too many English words in HR be a problem?

Yes, an overuse of English terms can exclude employees who are not fluent, create generational divides, and sometimes reduce clarity if perfectly good native alternatives exist.

What are some common English terms used in HR?

Common terms include sourcing, onboarding, reporting, KPIs, soft skills, feedback, deadline, and meeting.

Are there French alternatives for these HR terms?

Yes, for example: 'intégration' for 'onboarding', 'bilan' or 'rapport' for 'reporting', 'retour' for 'feedback', and 'date butoir' for 'deadline'.

What is the role of HR in digital transformation?

In digital transformation, HR acts as an architect of company relations, focusing on employee behaviours and values to drive organisational change and adapt to new technologies.

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