Language     

  As a global leader it’s important to learn at least the basic language of the country you are doing business with.

This shows more respect to Dominicans because they see you are trying .The official language spoken in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. Though there is a bit of difference because the local dialect of the Dominican Republic is called Dominican Spanish. It has some African influence and it is similar to Coastal Caribbean Spanish. An interesting fact is that Dominican Spanish uses old Spanish words that are no longer used in modern Spanish (eg Money = Dinero - Cuartos).It is common in the Dominican Spanish language to drop the letter “s”. For example “mosquitos” becomes “mosquito” and “where are you”, dondé tu esta will be dondé tu ta.

 

Here’s a fun and quick video describing what different words mean in Dominican Spanish. Check this out!  https://youtu.be/ZjXQ69hm2iQ

Dominicans are also animated they like to talk with their hands and often make gestures and use body language. "Come here" is indicated with the palm down and fingers together waving inward.

 

 

They also like to point with a puckered lip instead of a finger. If someone doesn’t understand something they wrinkle their nose. Dominicans don't believe in personal space they like to touch and be close to others around them. So as a business leader don't take it personal if you don't feel that your getting your space, this is just there way of having a conversation.

 

 

                 https://www.ciee.org/study-abroad/dominican-republic/santo-domingo/liberal-arts/