Parlant de Business: An Application of Combined Probability Theory to Inherent and Translation-Induced Semantic Ambiguity

Abstract

Debate persists around the axiom that it is impossible not to communicate. Given the multitude of potential meanings associated with words, a reasonable correlate in this dispute is that it is unlikely to communicate sans ambiguï té. Such an occurrence is even more pressing in international business management where the language used is frequently abstract, metaphorical and translated. Informed by this insight, one is able to view meaning as occurring probabilistically. Frequently, probability theory is used to model the risk and uncertainty associated with a given set of business projects. In this research, that methodology and focus is turned on itself, and an application of combined probability theory to select words in management related to business is explored and extended further to show how translations between French and English could increase the ambiguity of meaning. Through the process, an uncommon application of probability theory is illustrated; one focused on addressing problems of effective, international business communication.