Foreign Languages in the Workplace

[AverageJoe]

Multiple languages foster creativity and intelligence. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[just_mills]

In a public rather than private situation I think you should speak the language native to the country in which you have decided to live.

Word. ^ ...

 

[BINOWGAYLATER]

okay - i didn't read EVERYTHING ABOVE - but -- it is NOT professional - and i consider it rude -- HOWEVER -
people will do it !! Hopefully, they do it simply because of the comfort level.

i worked with spanish speaking "operators" - and when they were in the break room - they all spoke spanish -- I had recently hired a young man for the SpanishDivision - and English was his first language - not SPANISH -- SO he preferred to converse in English - and the Spanish girls gave him soo much grief over it - because they would speak to him in Spanish - he would understand (of course) and then answer them in English -- TOOFUNNY !! they then proceeded to make trouble for him - and accused him of NOT speaking proper spanish to the customers - and i had to give him a 'test" which was not easy - since i don't speak it myself. had to get a "neutral party' to converse with him in Spanish.

Anyway --- i do think they do it sometimes to "piss you off" -- so it's terribly unprofessional - but you just have to walk away - and try to not let it bother you - it would definately bother me !!

 

[BINOWGAYLATER]

Multiple languages foster creativity and intelligence. I see nothing wrong with it.

how the hell does that happen? and what the fuck are you drinking?

The State of California is in huge financial trouble for a number of reasons - but one of them is the fact that they REQUIRE education to be available in the student's NATIVE LANGUAGE !! SO - AMERICA BE DAMMNED !! THEY HAD TO hire teachers who speak 114 different languages !!! WHY ??????
Do you think that if you put a kid in school in Poland - or France that they would hire an eglish speaking teacher jsut for your kid? fuck no !!! they wouldnt

 

[Blueboy369]

Being from N.Y. I speak English and Spanish both clearly and without an accent. I can understand some french and Italian because they are so similar to Spanish. It can only benefit you to learn more than one language. Did you know that most of the western states have Spanish names? For example Colorado means the color red.

 

[Royal Heart]

I worked with a lot of Iranian immigrants in a professional environment and I thought it was really cool when they would speak amongst themselves. They were always polite enough to switch to English whenever I was around. I enjoyed learning about their language and culture. Very cool people.

 

[figjam]

Are you really THAT worried about what they're saying? Do you think there's an anti-YOU conspiracy afoot? I mean this in a totally non-bitchy way.

As if their conversation is important enough for you to worry about. Don't sweat it.

Again the automatic response by some is "Me, me, me..." - "Are they talking about ME?" lol...

Very selfabsorbed it seems. It is considered polite not to have long conversations in the presense of people not understanding your mother-tongue. Keep it short and simple and polite. Keep the long discussions to your private chats. Found that to be the most acceptable way.

 

[subfer1]

I study at the modern languages school of my university and work as an assistant at the linguistics research center, if I gave a shit for every time someone speaks in some foreign tongue while I'm still inside the room then I would've gon nuts already.

 

[SoulSearcher]

how the hell does that happen? and what the fuck are you drinking?

The State of California is in huge financial trouble for a number of reasons - but one of them is the fact that they REQUIRE education to be available in the student's NATIVE LANGUAGE !! SO - AMERICA BE DAMMNED !! THEY HAD TO hire teachers who speak 114 different languages !!! WHY ??????
Do you think that if you put a kid in school in Poland - or France that they would hire an eglish speaking teacher jsut for your kid? fuck no !!! they wouldnt

wow, of all the reasons cited for California's financial trouble, this one remains are top secret that only people like yourself know....can you provide links as to how California's financial trouble was partly due to the requirement that education be available in the students' native language (there is no such law, but I'll see what you come up with).

 

[frankfrank]

I have no problem with co-workers talking in another language, if that's the language which will most effectively communicate what is intended (and it will be most readily understood). It's not important whether the people involved are legal immigrants (or here legally on a work visa) or not, as that doesn't have any effect on whether the intended communication is effective.

Unless somebody is actively in "language-learning mode" at the moment, I think it's always appropriate to talk or converse in whatever language achieves the purpose best, even if it's a "foreign" language.

It doesn't bother me hearing Spanish or Chinese, etc. being spoken outdoors in public either - I'm entirely cool with it.

 

[SoulSearcher]

I seriously wonder if some people actually care if they are being talked about, or just feel like America is changing too much with "all these foreigners" with foreign languages, and cultures, and it is "changing our landscape", etc, etc. Xenophobia has interesting ways of manifesting itself (and its not directed towards anyone on this thread). I have spoken to a few older white men who just hate to hear Spanish.

 

[frankfrank]

Being from N.Y. I speak English and Spanish both clearly and without an accent. I can understand some french and Italian because they are so similar to Spanish. It can only benefit you to learn more than one language. Did you know that most of the western states have Spanish names? For example Colorado means the color red.

And so do many cities in the West, as well: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Salt Lake City (just threw this in to see if you were paying attention), Las Vegas, Las Cruces, La Jolla, Escondido, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz...certainly it's very common in California. Also Amarillo, San Antonio, El Paso, Pueblo.

Arizona, though, has surprisingly few Spanish-named cities.

And back to the original topic...every time I hear people talking in a foreign language, it reminds me of the cultural diversity which has been provided by immigration. There's now a rich abundance of non-American cuisines available in restaurants even in a fairly small city (for example we have a VERY authentic Mexican restaurant here, not the typical Tex-Mex junk), there are many interesting types of music from around the world, etc.

 

[BINOWGAYLATER]

Prop 227 states in part:

(e) "Bilingual education/native language instruction" means a language acquisition process for pupils in which much or all instruction, textbooks, and teaching materials are in the child's native language.

 

[saymyname]

how the hell does that happen? and what the fuck are you drinking?

If you don't think that knowing multiple languages makes people more intelligent, you're an idiot. It's common sense. Multiple languages usually leads to multiculturalism and a more open community.

 

[cklover]

It is just polite, when in a group, to speak the language that everyone understands.

 

[MindBlast]

Don't worry about it.

In my experience, people who talk about someone else in a different language eventually get bitten in the ass by it. I remember when I had a summer job at an office doing geophysical data processing, and the 3 admin assistants would speak french to each other. They'd be talking about me sometimes, and I'd heard a disparaging comment from one of them.

They didn't know I knew French. They were ashamed of themselves after I answered them in French.

 

[Yooper]

Very interesting comments, guys, and all very well taken.

But here's another hypothetical situation.

Susan is born in Outer Mongolia, and by a strange twist of fate ends up in the United States where she gets a job flipping burgers at McDonalds. Because she has tried to learn basic English, she moves up the ladder and becomes a Crew Leader. Her English is OK but not really fluent. Many of the other employees speak Spanish as a Native language; about 25% are actually US natives and English speakers, mostly High School kids that are only there part time.

Management hires 3 new burger flippers and Susan is the Crew Leader and does the training.
Roger was born in the US and speaks fluent English and a little Spanish.
Pablo was born in Mexico and speaks Spanish first but is pretty good with English
Zhing was born in Outer Mongolia, and speaks Outer Mongolian quite well, but poor English.

During the training period, if Zhing is having trouble with something, Susan trains him speaking Outer Mongolian. Pablo gets help from the other Spanish speakers. Roger gets additional help from Susan in her broken English.

2 weeks later, Roger gets less hours because he isn't picking things up fast enough.

Is something wrong with this scenario?

 

[fetaby]

Very interesting comments, guys, and all very well taken.

But here's another hypothetical situation.

Susan is born in Outer Mongolia, and by a strange twist of fate ends up in the United States where she gets a job flipping burgers at McDonalds. Because she has tried to learn basic English, she moves up the ladder and becomes a Crew Leader. Her English is OK but not really fluent. Many of the other employees speak Spanish as a Native language; about 25% are actually US natives and English speakers, mostly High School kids that are only there part time.

Management hires 3 new burger flippers and Susan is the Crew Leader and does the training.
Roger was born in the US and speaks fluent English and a little Spanish.
Pablo was born in Mexico and speaks Spanish first but is pretty good with English
Zhing was born in Outer Mongolia, and speaks Outer Mongolian quite well, but poor English.

During the training period, if Zhing is having trouble with something, Susan trains him speaking Outer Mongolian. Pablo gets help from the other Spanish speakers. Roger gets additional help from Susan in her broken English.

2 weeks later, Roger gets less hours because he isn't picking things up fast enough.

Is something wrong with this scenario?

No, the different languages are being used out of necessity in order for Susan to get her job done.

And if Roger can't understand insert spatula under meat, lift, flip. Then he needs less hours.

And if Roger wants more hours, it would be in Rogers best interest to speak with management about getting adequate training.

And furthermore, Management created a conflict of interest in putting Susan in the post of trainer when she can't effectively train each and every employee in the same capacity, given her specific language barriers.

This is business? This isn't the UN.

There are no special allowances given. Perform or die....

 

[SoulSearcher]

how the hell does that happen? and what the fuck are you drinking?

The State of California is in huge financial trouble for a number of reasons - but one of them is the fact that they REQUIRE education to be available in the student's NATIVE LANGUAGE !! SO - AMERICA BE DAMMNED !! THEY HAD TO hire teachers who speak 114 different languages !!! WHY ??????
Do you think that if you put a kid in school in Poland - or France that they would hire an eglish speaking teacher jsut for your kid? fuck no !!! they wouldnt

Prop 227 that you quoted ENDED bilingual education. Before asking anyone else what "they are drinking", get your own hyperbole straight, and explain how bilingual education which ended in 1998 became one of the reasons for "California's huge financial trouble". And who told you that California had to hire teachers who speak 114 different languages???? California hasn't had bilingual education since 1998, and instead has an English Immersion program to get students caught up.

 

[SoulSearcher]

Prop 227 states in part:

(e) "Bilingual education/native language instruction" means a language acquisition process for pupils in which much or all instruction, textbooks, and teaching materials are in the child's native language.

We know the definition of "bilingual education". Proposition 227 ended bilingual education in California. Your point it?