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Was at my new job, had been walking 3 days and enjoying it. Today had to sit for the entire day. I was working with a female who was native of Mexico and every so often one of the other hispanic females would come by and they'd speak in their native tongue.
She did this for most of the day, then asked me "Does it bother you that we do this?" I replied "Nope, I don't mind, I know that you understand english and can speak it when the situation calls for it. So I'm not worried about what you are speaking about or that you are speaking in your native tongue"
She did say in some other companies she had worked at, had many people demand they speak english at all times and were told to not be found or overheard speaking their native tongue.
Only time I ever have heard of a "English only" was at the WSOP's tourneys (World Series Of Poker)
I worked one company which had 5-7 vietnamese who couldn't speak one word of english and they'd been here 5+ years.
Anyone ever have a company have that for a rule?
I'm not sure that English-only rules are legal in many (if not most) workplaces, but even as someone who speaks multiple languages I would prefer that my coworkers conduct their work-related conversations in English. To do otherwise is rude IMHO.
they learned english... they use it for official work
you are trying to regulate what they do in their free time, how is speaking another language different than if they watched youtube or had music on instead?
As long as it is ONLY used for chit chat and NEVER used to discuss business or other workers I see no problem with it. My son works in a tech business with a large group of Hindi speakers and they use it to keep non-Indians out of the loop on projects.
And in the areas that are highly populated with non English speaking residents, maybe the english speakers should learn other languages and everyone speak the predominant language.
Example as people that speak Spanish are the predominate group in California, and New Mexico how about the English speakers learn to speak Spanish at work, etc.
Nah, I live in a multilingual city so it's par for the course and whatever makes colleagues comfortable as long as it follows company rules in case the language of business is something else.
Only time foreign language speakers bothered me was in school where 2 guys spoke Arabic during the exams and the teachers did nothing about it. I asked them politely to cut it out and they continued.
Really? Hmmm... Both state testing I took required bi lingual ability in both written and oral. The more languages known, the better to serve the ppl of the community. No federal or state regulation has in place that the indentured servant ( I mean employee) is mandated to only use English. It may be a general advisal (suggestion) but I highly doubt even our govt stated what you proclaim.
I admire folks who can adapt and accommodate the public thru languages of various lands. Fascinating not offended.. Admirable.
I don't think this passed but it was a bill to make the official language of the U.S. English and to have all government documents only in English. H.R.997 - English Language Unity Act of 2017
Was at my new job, had been walking 3 days and enjoying it. Today had to sit for the entire day. I was working with a female who was native of Mexico and every so often one of the other hispanic females would come by and they'd speak in their native tongue.
She did this for most of the day, then asked me "Does it bother you that we do this?" I replied "Nope, I don't mind, I know that you understand english and can speak it when the situation calls for it. So I'm not worried about what you are speaking about or that you are speaking in your native tongue"
She did say in some other companies she had worked at, had many people demand they speak english at all times and were told to not be found or overheard speaking their native tongue.
Only time I ever have heard of a "English only" was at the WSOP's tourneys (World Series Of Poker)
I worked one company which had 5-7 vietnamese who couldn't speak one word of english and they'd been here 5+ years.
Anyone ever have a company have that for a rule?
I know Spanish very well... I love it when people speak Spanish and think I don't know what they're saying... because I know every word.
Someone was talking about me in Spanish once and I called them out. That was the end of them talking Spanish in the office
I don't know who or what you are asking . . . but I personally think it is great - as long as you're not putting down others within earshot who can't understand what you are saying.
I think people should be comfortable speaking in whatever language they prefer to speak in. This shouldn't even be an issue. I know racist people make it an issue by insisting everyone speak English - but I think that is B.S.
Really? So, you think our military is racist? Our history is racist? Perhaps England is viewed by you as racist as well, and all simply because they prefer or speak English?
English is the operational language of the Army. Soldiers must maintain sufficient proficiency in English to perform their military duties. Their operational communications must be understood by everyone who has an official need to know their content, and, therefore, must normally be in English. However, commanders may not require Soldiers to use English unless such use is clearly necessary and proper for the performance of military functions. Accordingly, commanders may not require the use of English for personal communications that are unrelated to military functions.
In 1917, Naval Government Executive General Order No. 243 banned speaking Chamorro, and
“…designated English as only official language of Guam and ordered that “Chamorro must not be spoken except for official interpreting.”
Perhaps, because the American colonists formed their government and won their freedom from England, having formerly been subjects of the British Crown up until the point (i.e. England) - where the English language originated - it was always accepted that America spoke English, and as a matter of fact, most of it still does. I'm sure Ben Franklin was learned traveled and savvy enough to speak French. but would have told anyone posing the question that he was English.
You will find communities that historically speak French or Spanish, and even some very small yet historical communities that still speak languages like German, but they ALL also speak English. There are ethnic pockets here and there, but there is hardly anywhere in the US where absolutely NO ONE speaks English.
Is it racist to lump anyone who speaks English into a category like "racist"? Yes, it very much is racist. English does not equal white in the US, although speaking English does originate in England, which is a country of people with primarily pale skin.
What is it to hate people because their skin is primarily pale? Isnt any discrimination based on skin color considered racist - or does that not apply to people whose skin is primarily pale?
I don't think the country needs what has been obvious since at least 1776 followed by the end of the Spanish-American War to be designated. But, maybe those who cant be asked to keep up with the history of a place of interest to them need it to be.
I don't think this passed but it was a bill to make the official language of the U.S. English and to have all government documents only in English. H.R.997 - English Language Unity Act of 2017
It doesn't bother me at all for people to speak their native language in the workplace.
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not offended.. Admirable.
