A discussion about the software industry and their coders

This post continues from my previous 2 posts:
What Ails the French Software / IT Industry?
France: Why the Software / IT Industry is languishing?

The Software / IT revolution is not machine intensive. It is lead by Knowledge Workers. Cutting edge Human Capital is fundamental to any company or country that today has leadership in the Software / IT Industry. (Or for that matter any knowledge intensive Industry).

Vast networks of Knowledge workers (speaking mainly English) are creating value in the Software / IT industry today -- by  using, sharing, improving or innovating on each other's ideas. The links between Bangalore and Hyderabad in India and the Silicon Valley in US are well know. France however has locked itself out from the talents of the internationally available Human Capital that does not speak French!

France is unfortunately not an easy place for foreigners to live-in & work. Today several professionals wish to gain an international perspective by working abroad. (I am referring here to the positive trend of gaining international work experience not problems created in host nations due brain drain.) However, if you are an English speaking software / IT professional and wish to work in France – beware! Few cities in France have road signs in any other language except French – even though France is one of the world's leading tourist destinations.

How does it hurt France? Consider as an example the statistics for Indians (not Americans) working with leading American Software firms: 34% of Microsoft employees, 28% of IBM employees, and 17% of Intel employees are Indians. American companies have benefited from the human capital provided by India. Could France not benefit?

Mingling closely with the French, shopping in a mall, eating out in a restaurant, getting directions from passers-by, buying medicine at a pharmacy, investing at the French stock market, even banking within France is an immense challenge if you don’t speak French very well. Most locals will struggle to understand you and / or would excuse themselves because they don't like to speak in English.

I know all this from my direct experience of living in France for about two years. I came to love the country's natural beauty, its famous cities, its cuisine and its rich history but I sadly realized that the country is fundamentally closed to non-French speakers. This non-openness to absorb and benefit from the talent, influence, thoughts and innovations from the rest of the world is a major stumbling block for the future of France.

The French need to deeply reflect if socially-banning English and linguistically remaining cut-off from the rest of the world would benefit the country and its people. They need to understand that the world itself will continue to march to its own beat. Passion for the French language is different from distancing yourself from English -- something that Chirac unfortunately did. Eventually, even if the French change their ways and try to educate its next generation with English -- the language of the world -- almost 20 years would have passed before the benefits would get visible. That would be a long time in a rapidly changing world.

post 3 of 3