From Language to Leverage: English as Human and Linguistic Capital Among Saudi Student Entrepreneurs

This study investigates how English proficiency functions as both human and linguistic capital within Saudi Arabia’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and Linguistic Capital Theory, it examines how English shapes entrepreneurial opportunities, how student entrepreneurs develop proficiency, and the challenges they encounter across local and global contexts. Using a qualitatively driven mixed-methods design, the study integrates survey data ( n  = 41), semi-structured interviews ( n  = 17), and an analysis of 83 entrepreneurial project names. Findings indicate that English operates as context-activated capital rather than a universal requirement for entrepreneurial success. Its value becomes salient when ventures engage with international markets, English-dominant technologies, foreign partners, or institutional programs that mandate English use. Participants developed proficiency through both formal education and self-directed learning, though speaking remained the most challenging skill due to limited opportunities for authentic interaction. While AI-mediated tools facilitated comprehension and communication, English-only systems produced structural barriers that restricted access to resources. English also functioned as symbolic capital, enhancing perceptions of professionalism, credibility, and global orientation. Naming practices revealed hybrid linguistic strategies combining Arabic, English, and pseudo-English forms to balance cultural identity with international visibility. Overall, the study reconceptualizes English not as a prerequisite for entrepreneurship but as a strategic resource whose economic and symbolic value depends on situational demands.