What are common languages in WA? (dating, about)

[pw72]

[quote=509;10340890]You cannot get a job in social services east of the Cascades unless you speak Spanish. /

Not sure about that. You cannot discriminate based on race, but I'm not sure how that relates to fluency in multiple languages. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. However, one thing I am certain of, there is no difference in federal or state law between W. Washington and E. Washington. That simply is false.

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by pw72

Not sure about that. You cannot discriminate based on race, but I'm not sure how that relates to fluency in multiple languages. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. However, one thing I am certain of, there is no difference in federal or state law between W. Washington and E. Washington. That simply is false.

Whether that is or is not false, in area code 509, if you don't speak Spanish you're screwed on social service jobs and many education jobs. I speak it and some others and the school districts actually attempt to recruit me.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Anders15

Other than English. I'm guessing French? But you seem to have a large asian population as well. Other than English what language do YOU hear the most?

I am not really looking for charts and graphs.. just from what you know, what language seems to be the most popular?

French? No, never heard of that one. Spanish or some East Asian languages though..

[yukiko11]

I live in western WA North of Everett. Other than english, I would say Russian or other closely related languages are the most prevelant.

[skinem]

[quote=pw72;10343898]

Originally Posted by 509

You cannot get a job in social services east of the Cascades unless you speak Spanish. /

Not sure about that. You cannot discriminate based on race, but I'm not sure how that relates to fluency in multiple languages. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. However, one thing I am certain of, there is no difference in federal or state law between W. Washington and E. Washington. That simply is false.

No, 509 is right--you most jobs in social services do require the ability to speak Spanish.

You are right, you cannot discriminate based upon race. However, the ability to speak or not speak Spanish has zero to do with race.

That is a requirement of many jobs--if you couldn't speak Spanish, there are a lot of jobs in which you really couldn't function. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it is the way it is.

[509]

[quote=pw72;10343898]

Originally Posted by 509

You cannot get a job in social services east of the Cascades unless you speak Spanish. /

Not sure about that. You cannot discriminate based on race, but I'm not sure how that relates to fluency in multiple languages. Perhaps someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. However, one thing I am certain of, there is no difference in federal or state law between W. Washington and E. Washington. That simply is false.

Right. But try applying for a state job in Yakima or Wenatchee if you do not speak Spanish. You cannot discriminate because of race, does not mean that employers including governments do not do it all the time.

Sorry, but ask any unprotected Federal, State, or local employee about affirmative action programs and see how many times times they have been discriminated against.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by Anders15

Other than English. I'm guessing French?

Why would you guess French of all things?

[skinem]

Originally Posted by diggitydot

Why would you guess French of all things?

I wondered the same thing. Maybe it's proximity to Canada? If so, that's shows a lack of understanding about Canadian history in the west...it's not called British Columbia for nothing...

[MichaelinWA]

LOL - that was my question too.

FWIW, election ballots in WA are available in 8 languages:

» English
» Chinese
» Spanish
» Cambodian
» Korean
» Laotian
» Russian
» Vietnamese

Originally Posted by diggitydot

Why would you guess French of all things?

[olywoman]

Everywhere I go (Tacoma, Olympia, Centralia areas) I hear either English or Spanish. There are a lot of Russian / Ukrainian in the Vancouver area and around Seattle. I am not familiar with any other languages so I don't know if they are being spoken or not.