I'm Nathan, an NYU Stern student studying Business & Political Economy (BPE) and Linguistics. I analyze business communication and marketing across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Case Studies
Despite Squid Game's international success, the VIPs' awkward dialogue has consistently thrown off English-speaking viewers, an immersion-thwarting problem that has persisted into Season 3. Reddit users frequently described the VIP scenes as sounding like English lessons or AI voiceovers. And across internet forums people have reported that,
Lexicon
Across language barriers today, many interactions take place in English, even when no one involved is a native speaker. This trend emerged because English is often used as a lingua franca: a shared language for speakers who don't share a native tongue. But how does a language become
Field Notes
In Tokyo's commercial districts, signs in kanji, hiragana, and katakana are everywhere. But just as common, and more surprising, is the constant presence of English. English-speaking tourists face fewer language barriers abroad. Nearly every country has information readily available in English due to the language's strong
Case Studies
Walk into any Starbucks, and you'll speak English, but with a slight twist. Want a small drink? That's a Tall. Medium? That's Grande. Large? Venti. As America's largest coffeehouse, Starbucks confuses countless customers with a bizarre sizing system. Here's a
Lexicon
Here's a little thought experiment: You're at a luxury store and the sales associates, like always, are a bit too vague. They lead you into a room and give you two designer bags to check out: The "Bouba" or the "Kiki". Which
Case Studies
Most Gen Z and Millennial Americans have fond memories of the Pokémon franchise and its games, cards, and other merchandise. This monumental impact stems from Pokémon's position as the largest media franchise in the world, with an estimated total revenue of nearly $100 billion. Reaching this success, however,
Case Studies
For many consumers, an expensive designer purchase is the ultimate way to signal their status. These brands are powerful symbols of wealth and success, leveraging long histories of prestige and linguistic exclusivity to attract aspirational consumers eager to prove their worth. It's well-known that these brands succeed primarily
Lexicon
Ever wonder why some emails feel unnecessarily verbose, filled with phrases like "If it isn't an issue, could we possibly..." or "I'd be so happy to..."? Well, these common extra words may just be an example of the concept of a face
Case Studies
Round1, a Japanese entertainment arcade chain, is rapidly expanding into the United States. The company has 100 stores in Japan and 50 open or planned locations in the United States. Round1 resembles Dave & Buster's and other competitors, but it has one key differentiator: its Japanese roots, right
Field Notes
In high school, I got a minimum-wage job at my local grocery store. A month in, I noticed a sign near the break room punch clock: WE WILL NOT ACCOMMODATE SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR THIS WEEK. -MANAGEMENT. It was the week of Christmas, and the sign drained the little holiday spirit
Field Notes
At New York University's Business School, nearly every time I ask someone what they're majoring in, I get the same response: I'm majoring in Finance. And this response is to be expected given the school's very close proximity to Wall Street. But