There are two official languages in Puerto Rico, English and Spanish however, Spanish is dominant. While English is taught as a second language from primary through secondary school, few people are proficient in the language. However, CK Products already has a diverse set of managers and executives, many of whom speak Spanish fluently. The challenge will be adapting to the particular vernacular of Spanish in Puerto Rico which is influenced by native Taíno words and culture but; Puerto Ricans can understand most dialects of Spanish (Beyond Language, 2016).
A characteristic common in many Spanish-speaking cultures is a tendency to converse near one another; this is true for Puerto Rico. This practice often is uncomfortable for Americans, as we tend to engage about an arm’s length from others. This may be of particular note because moving away to a more personally comfortable distance can be considered offensive. Puerto Ricans also include many hand gestures and movements in daily conversation and may also interrupt other frequently they are …show more content…
In the Treaty of Paris signed in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded sovereignty of Puerto Rico to the United States. In the 118 years since then, the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico has been debated among the people of both nations. Through the first half of the 20th century, Puerto Rico was an unincorporated territory of the United States, governed by federally appointed officials and the