Which Languages Are Used in Offshore Development? Benefits of Each Language and Tips for Preventing Troubles

"I'm considering offshore development, but what language should we use?"

"I'm worried that communication problems might arise due to language barriers."

"I want to know what can be done to prevent language issues in offshore development."

Do you have these concerns? The success of offshore development greatly depends on selecting the right language and communication methods. There are various options such as English, Japanese, or the local language of the offshore development country, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It's important to choose the language that fits your company's structure and goals.

This article provides an in-depth explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of using different languages in offshore development, as well as communication methods. We also offer tips to avoid language troubles, so please refer to them.

Akira Shimazoe

CEO of Solashi Japan LLC. Engaged in the development and operation of internal systems at Suntory. Founded Yper Inc., serving as CTO and CPO, contributing to product launch and growth.

What Languages are Used in Offshore Development?

Offshore development refers to outsourcing software, apps, and web systems design and operation to overseas companies that offer cost advantages. Major outsourcing destinations include Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and China, with each country having different languages that can be used. Languages used in offshore development can be categorized into the following three patterns.

English
Japanese
The official language of the offshore development country

Here, we will explain the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of each language.

English

English is the most widely used language in offshore development. The main reason is that many Southeast Asian countries have English as an official language. Even if it's not an official language, the English proficiency of IT professionals tends to be high.

This article explains in detail about using English in offshore development. Please feel free to check it out.

Advantages of Using English

There are several advantages to using English for the project, including:

You can hire skilled engineers from English-speaking countries
You can create documents in English, which is ideal for global expansion of the system
It expands your options for outsourcing partners, making it easier to find better companies

By using English, the possibilities for offshore development expand greatly. It can also improve development capabilities and lay the groundwork for future global expansion.

Disadvantages of Using English

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to using English. Consider the following points:

Your company will need personnel who are proficient in English
There may be miscommunications with engineers who are not native English speakers
Industry-specific terms, abbreviations, or Japanglish may cause misunderstandings
If the offshore development team’s English proficiency is insufficient, effective communication may be challenging

Japanese

Many offshore development companies can support Japanese. These companies often have Japanese project managers (PMs) on-site or staff who are fluent in Japanese. This allows for smooth communication in Japanese, so you can proceed with the project without worrying about language barriers.

Advantages of Using Japanese

The advantages of using Japanese are as follows:

No language barriers, making communication easier
Offshore development can be carried out even without in-house language experts
Higher likelihood of understanding Japanese business customs and work styles
Creating documents in Japanese and providing detailed specifications is possible, making it easier to ensure maintainability

By choosing a company that supports Japanese, you can minimize language-related stress and smoothly progress the project.

Disadvantages of Using Japanese

Even with development companies that support Japanese, communication may not always be perfect. Even if they can speak Japanese, there might still be misunderstandings when conveying complex Japanese or subtle nuances. If you are too comfortable assuming that someone can speak Japanese, you may end up with deliverables that do not meet your expectations.

To resolve this issue, it is advisable to choose a company with extensive offshore development experience and a Japanese project manager (PM) or bridge system engineer (SE). A bridge SE plays an important role in preventing misunderstandings or miscommunications between the client and engineers. This is especially critical for first-time offshore development projects.
Our company, "Solashi Co., Ltd," employs several bridge SEs who are fluent in both Japanese and the local language of the development site. We also have multiple Japanese PMs with experience in project launches. If you're interested, please check out our services.

Japanese PMs Handle Communication

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Official Language of Offshore Development Locations

Besides English and Japanese, there are cases where the official language of the offshore development location is used. If your team or PM is fluent in the local language, this option may also be worth considering. Below are the official languages of some typical offshore development countries.

Offshore Country	Official Language
Vietnam	Vietnamese
Philippines	Filipino and English
India	Hindi (Federal Official Language)
Bangladesh	Bengali (National Language)
Myanmar	Burmese
China	Chinese
Ukraine	Ukrainian (National Language)

Advantages of Using the Official Language of the Offshore Development Location

The benefits of using the official language of the offshore development location include the following:

Direct communication with local engineers, enabling smoother communication
Reduction in the costs and time required for interpretation and translation
Higher likelihood of directly hiring skilled local engineers

If you have personnel in your company who can handle the local language, the advantages are considerable.

Disadvantages of Using the Official Language of the Offshore Development Location

However, there are some challenges to using the official language of the offshore location.

Risk of miscommunication between the Japanese side and the offshore team
Translation of technical terms and concepts may be necessary between the local language and Japanese
Familiarity with creating and managing documents in the local language is required

From this, if your company is unable to secure enough personnel fluent in the local language, it is safer to choose a company that can communicate in English or Japanese.

What Communication Methods Are Used in Offshore Development?

In offshore development, communication with remote locations is essential. To ensure the smooth progress of a project, selecting and managing the right tools is crucial. Here, we will introduce the communication methods used in offshore development, their features, and key considerations.

Since offshore development is essentially remote work, online communication directly affects the success of the project. Therefore, selecting the right communication tools is extremely important. Some of the main tools include:

Chat tools
Online meetings
Project management tools
Phone and email

Let’s explain each of these in more detail.

Chat Tools

Chat tools are the most widely used in offshore development. By utilizing high-speed tools like Slack and Chatwork, real-time information sharing and Q&A are made possible. Additionally, the ability to review conversation histories is a big advantage. Being able to revisit important decisions and shared information later helps with project management.

However, as communication frequency increases, there is a risk of missing important information. It is recommended to establish rules in advance, such as tagging and using threads, to help organize information.

Online Meetings

In offshore development, there are many occasions when complex details need to be discussed, which cannot be fully conveyed through text alone. In such cases, online meetings become a very effective method. By using video conferencing tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, you can have real-time discussions with all participants while seeing each other.

The great advantage of online meetings is the ability to share documents and presentations on the screen. By doing this, participants can discuss and review the material together, fostering deeper understanding and consensus. Additionally, online meetings are not limited by location, making them powerful for communication with remote teams. They are useful for regular progress checks, problem-solving, and handling urgent issues when they arise with offshore development teams.

However, for online meetings in offshore development, it's crucial to be mindful of time zone differences when scheduling. Make sure to select a time that is convenient for all participants. Additionally, the stability of the internet connection is vital. Poor communication environments can disrupt the meeting, so always conduct a pre-meeting test to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Project Management Tools

Project management tools are systems that help with task assignments, tracking progress, and centralizing related information. Examples include Asana and Trello. Project management tools offer several advantages, including:

Visualizing task progress, making it easier to identify delays
Promoting information sharing between team members and strengthening collaboration
Centralizing files and materials, improving searchability
Using Gantt charts to manage schedules

By utilizing these tools, it becomes easier to grasp the overall picture of the project, and efficient progress can be expected. However, without setting operational rules, there is a risk that management costs could increase. It is important to decide in advance within the team which information should be registered and to what extent.

Phone and Email

In offshore development, chat tools have become mainstream, and the use of phone and email has been decreasing. Many chat tools, like Slack, come with online call features, so the opportunity to use phone and email is becoming rarer.

However, phone and email still have their advantages. For example, phone calls are still used for urgent communication. Additionally, email is more suitable when you need to leave a record or send long messages. Phone and email should be used in combination with other tools, as necessary, when the situation calls for it.

4 Tips to Prevent Language Troubles in Offshore Development

To successfully execute offshore development, it is crucial to prevent language and communication-related troubles before they arise. Here are four specific tips to help you do so.

Utilize a Bridge SE
Ensure simple and clear communication
Understand and consider cultural differences
Select countries with smaller time differences

Let’s explain each one in detail.

1. Utilize a Bridge SE

If you are concerned about communication in offshore development, we recommend utilizing a Bridge SE (Bridge System Engineer). A Bridge SE acts as a liaison between the Japanese side and the offshore development team.

Specifically, they accurately convey the Japanese side's requirements and intentions to the development team, and conversely, they appropriately explain the development team's questions and suggestions to the Japanese side, thus preventing communication gaps. This helps to avoid misunderstandings not only due to language barriers but also due to cultural differences, making it an essential role for the smooth progression of a project. Additionally, since the Bridge SE has technical skills, they can facilitate complex discussions and problem-solving between the Japanese side and the offshore development team.

If you prioritize communication in Japanese, it’s important to first choose an offshore development company that supports Japanese. By utilizing a Bridge SE in addition, you can significantly reduce language-related risks.

2. Ensure Simple and Clear Communication

In offshore development, it is important to maintain simple and clear communication. Metaphors and vague expressions can be difficult to convey, so it’s essential to choose direct and clear words as much as possible. For instance, expressions like "It would be helpful if you could do ~" might not convey the requirements clearly to the development team. Moreover, industry-specific jargon or Katakana English can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand. It is necessary to rephrase in simpler terms and provide additional explanations as needed.

In offshore development, it’s crucial not to expect the other party to "read between the lines" and instead to ensure explicit communication. By using simple and easy-to-understand expressions, we can overcome the language barrier and lead to smoother project management.

3. Understand and Consider Cultural Differences

Beyond language differences, it is also important for both sides to be mindful of cultural differences. Without considering differences in values and business practices, communication could lead to misunderstandings and problems.

For example, working styles differ across countries. In countries with nap cultures, there are times during the day when responses might be delayed, and this should be understood. Also, while overtime is not frowned upon in Japan, countries that value personal time tend to avoid overtime. Ignoring these cultural differences and imposing your own country's norms can be a major pitfall in offshore development. If you force your way without respecting the other party's cultural background, it can lead to a deterioration of the relationship.

It is crucial to recognize that "your common sense is not necessarily the same as theirs." Respecting each other's cultural differences and being flexible in responding to them is essential for the success of offshore development. Developing the attitude of thinking from the other party’s perspective is the first step toward effective cross-cultural communication.

4. Choose Countries with Small Time Differences

One challenge in offshore development communication is the time difference with the offshore development country. A large time difference can disrupt communication timing and hinder smooth project management. Choosing countries with smaller time differences makes it easier to communicate in real-time, and it allows you to take quick action in urgent situations. Below is the time difference between Japan and some common offshore development countries.

Country	Time Difference with Japan
China	-1 hour
Philippines	-1 hour
Vietnam	-2 hours
Myanmar	-2.5 hours
Bangladesh	-3 hours
India	-3.5 hours
Ukraine	-6 hours

Among these, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam have relatively small time differences. Assuming a standard 8-hour workday, a time difference of 2-3 hours would allow for 5-6 hours of overlapping working hours. This should make it easier to set up meetings. However, the time difference is just one factor to consider. It is essential to select the optimal outsourcing partner by evaluating technical expertise, development costs, language support, and other aspects in conjunction with the time difference.

Solashi Offers Japanese-Supporting Offshore Development!

We have explained the selection of languages and communication methods in offshore development. Even with thorough preparation, many people still feel uncertain about language-related issues. For those individuals, we recommend offshore development companies that support Japanese. This is because, with the ability to communicate in Japanese, the risks of miscommunication and misunderstandings due to language barriers can be significantly reduced. We recommend evaluating Japanese language support from the following four perspectives.

Presence of Japanese staff
Japanese language proficiency of engineers
Track record of projects in Japanese
Provision of information in Japanese

By choosing an offshore development company that meets these criteria, you can communicate smoothly without feeling the language barrier.

Our company has several Japanese project managers (PMs) with experience in business startups and entrepreneurship. They are well-versed in Japanese business practices and customs, so they can accurately understand the needs of Japanese companies and manage projects smoothly.

Additionally, our company has Japanese-speaking bridge SEs (System Engineers). They translate and convey the requirements and instructions from the Japanese side to the local engineers accurately. This ensures smooth communication without the language barrier.

If you are looking for offshore development based on the Japanese language, please feel free to contact Solashi Co., Ltd.

Akira Shimazoe

Representative of Solashi Japan LLC. Born in April 1989 in Fukuoka Prefecture. Graduated from the Graduate School of Information and Mathematical Sciences at Osaka Prefecture University. Joined Suntory System Technology Co., Ltd., an IT subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, in 2014. Broadly responsible for the development, operation, and implementation of vending machine delivery management, efficiency improvements, and sales management systems. Founded Yper Inc. in 2017, serving as CTO and CPO. Contributed to the launch and growth of the app-linked delivery bag "OKIPPA." Selected for Toyo Keizai's prestigious "Amazing Venture 100" and Forbes' "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019."