Native language, spoken language, translation and trade

Jacques Melitz and Farid Toubal

No 1211, Heriot-Watt University Economics Discussion Papers from Department of Economics, School of Management and Languages, Heriot Watt University

Abstract: We construct new series for common native language and common spoken language for 195 countries, which we use together with series for common official language and linguis-tic proximity in order to draw inferences about (1) the aggregate impact of all linguistic factors on bilateral trade, (2) whether the linguistic influences come from ethnicity and trust or ease of communication, and (3) in so far they come from ease of communication, to what extent trans-lation and interpreters play a role. The results show that the impact of linguistic factors, all together, is at least twice as great as the usual dummy variable for common language, resting on official language, would say. In addition, ease of communication is far more important than ethnicity and trust. Further, so far as ease of communication is at work, translation and inter-preters are extremely important. Finally, ethnicity and trust come into play largely because of immigrants and their influence is otherwise difficult to detect.

Date: 2012
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int and nep-mig
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (23)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2014)
Working Paper: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2014)
Working Paper: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2014)
Working Paper: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2012)
Working Paper: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2012)
Working Paper: Native Language, Spoken Language, Translation and Trade (2012)
Working Paper: Native language, spoken language, translation and trade (2012)
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