Speaking native languages at work...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

A Sacramento hospital this week passed around a questionare to its nurses. Here is the question...

Diversity Council Needs You!

To give us input on the question of staff members using their native language(s) at work. We value your opinion. This survey will remain anomymous. Please respond and explain in full if possible.

...following was several blank lines to explain, essay type, how you felt about the issue.

In case you're wondering, here is my response:

________________

I was always taught that whispering in public was rude. It makes others around uncomfortable as to what is being discussed and is exclusive-not inclusive-- to others.

Speaking in a foreign language within earshot of patients, guests or co-workers who don't understand the dialect is the same as whispering. It alienates others and by its nature says "I'm speaking about something I don't want to share with you."

In our hospital's very diverse environment, we all need to be especially sensitive to the cultures and backgrounds of others. No matter which of the dozens of languages spoken at (our hospital) we may understand, professionalism requires we adhere to the language we all speak fluently-- the one we used during our license exams and that all hospital

documents are written in.

Thank-you for asking!

_________________

Should be good fodder for discussion here.

:roll

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Heather... not wanting to fuss here, truly. And I mean you no disrespect. I'm not one to argue and fuss, although I do appreciate a healthy debate. So please don't take anything I say personally.

OK... so they were talking about the mom and her baby.. maybe not cool, ok. BUT....!!!... am I anyone to deny the right of another to speak to their friend about any subject or control what

they talk about? Just because you happened to speak/understand Spanish and what they were saying still doesn't mean they had included you in their private conversation. If that had been me talking to my friend in German, and you happened to understand the conversation and said you didn't appreciate what I was saying, I would have politely and tactfully made you aware that I was talking privately to my friend and did not recall inviting you into the conversation, nor asking your opinion. I would have considerd it rude on YOUR part to infringe on MY conversation. I'm really not being snotty when I say that, Heather, really. I mean it, though.

I can say this because I've BEEN in many of these situations! I've lived in Germany most of my" growing up" years and went to all German schools. All my friends were German and I'm bilingual.. spoke only German(Austrian) at home with my mother and English with Dad when he was around (often gone for long stretches on military tour of duty). I can't tell you the times I had been hanging out with my German friends and overheard Americans talking about me and my friends.. thinking we didn't understand them. Was I offended? How could I be? It was THEIR conversation ! If I had said anything it would have been as if I was prying into their private discussion! No.. not offended. But had a lot of fun that way ! Then, there were times that I, as an American would be with American folks and would hear the Germans talking about us... same thing! I understood every word, but would not be so rude as to jump into their conversation with a comeback.. I'd just chuckle to myself. If I had done otherwise I would have felt like I was eavesdropping...not right. Heck, the times I was in my American AF uniform (later in life, and stationed back in my hometown in Germany)...I'd be riding the public transport with all my German highschool friends speaking fluent "no American accent" German with all these German friends and WOW! The comments I heard from other Americans on the bus..."must be a spy..." and on and on and on.

Had a great time dating back then... one time I'd be German, another time American... always left 'em guessing! :chuckle

My point is merely this... let people be who they are. Allow them their privacy. Allow them to relate to their friends, even if we don't understand what they're saying. We don't always have to know what others are saying. If you're meant to be involved in the conversation,you will be invited into the conversation.. if not, then look at it just as you would if there were a group of others just like yourself (all Americans) having a discussion of their own. I would not want to be part of their discussion if I was not invited to be part of it. People have a right to their own conversations. We have NO right to forbid anyone to talk to anyone they choose in any language at any time ! (barring patient contact, workrelated tasks, assignments and the like) But other than that, it's like forbidding private thought. That's scary to me.

As for the lady with the baby... how she reacts would be up to her. That's an individual choice. I had to make those choices all my life. I may not have always liked what I heard, but I had enough sense to know that those who were discussing me thought I did not understand, and therefore was a PRIVATE conversation.. and their right. How one chooses to react should not make a difference, nor should it mean that we all have to speak one language so everybody will know everything you're thinking at all times. So much for personal freedoms. I also speak fluent French. I run into all kinds of people from all walks of life who think I don't speak their language ! I love it ! You learn so much ! I take the good and leave the bad. People are entitled to what they think. Who am I to tell someone else they can't speak their language just because I (with a capitol I) don't understand it? How arrogant would I be?

OK... 'nuff said. Don't want to offend, and I'm speaking from the heart. We in America just have been so isolated for so long we think that we are the only ones who matter, sometimes even the only ones who exsist. Boy, are we wrong!

Spoken in love... jnette ;)

I haven't taken the time to read 'most of these' post. The subject is what I want to comment on....regarding nurses speaking 'their own language'.....??? Well, to me, and I may catch some 'flack' for speaking whats on my mind here, but you asked for it.......while at work, I think it is disrespectful for anybody of another country/language to 'speak' their native tongue.....IF.....it is not the language that everybody speaks.......ie: when in America.....speak English (if you can) If your a nurse here, then you should be able to speak fluent english.....most of us here in the USA only understand english.

I don't mean to sound 'rude' here, but ...case in point....we have new housekeepers at our hospital.....they are from Bosnia....and I'm glad they have found a home here......but the problem is......they don't speak any english......you call them for assistance in cleaning up a spill or just doing their job......."I don't understand english".....while shaking their heads no.....they sit around, in our nurses break room and talk their language while looking at some of the nurses and then laugh......none of the staff like them.....they are lazy, don't do their work and always say..................you guessed it......no english.....

In any country, I think it is disrespectful to the host citizens to stand around and speak a foreign language if you can speak theirs.......it just makes you look like you don't care enough to learn the language of where your living......

Just my opinion........

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

Just wanted to relay an experience I had a few weeks ago.

I just wanted to quote the first sentence of my original post for you jnette. All I did was relay a particular situation that happened to me, and how inappropriate I felt it was.

When I'm at the hospital, all I'm concerned about is the patient and their satisfaction with their hospital stay. Whether I deliver their baby, wipe their ass, bring them their meal trays, or clean their rooms..... I should be respectful of the patient. Those women in the elevator were not. If those women had been English speaking, I would have reacted no differently.

It's like talking about a deaf person in front of them when you assume that they can't hear you.

I have no problem with people speaking their native languages, as long as they also understand mine in my own country. I never said anything contrary. I said the women in the elevator were hiding behind their "culture" to be busy-body gossipy b*tches.

Heather

The women may have been brought up in a culture different from present-day American culture. There are many, many women who choose to have kids on their own, without a father around, and some cultures feel that is kinda peculiar and strange of our American culture. Talking bout a single mom's family situation is taboo, even in Spanish. Chismoso? Lol.

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

I wish I could be perfect but I know I never shall be. Can't say I've never gossiped about anybody, probably have been a B**** a time or two. May not be right, but I'm human. Guess we find ways to do the same in our own "cultural hiding places". I've heard us talk about many a foreigner thinking they don't understand us. Those 2 women may not have been kind or professional, but by golly, I sure would not be one to throw the first stone. I see enough of "our own" doing that and worse.

Won't argue. Believe this thread was titled "how do you THINK/FEEL about"... so this is just how I think/feel. I'm not saying I'm right, you're wrong. We can agree to disagree and I'm not offended. Not tucking my tail between my legs, either. Just expressing my thoughts on the subject, never said anyone had to agree or like it. Still love ya! No hard feelings.

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

P>S> But as for NURSES discussing patients, Heather, you are right. That's a no-no. And if that was your point (as I re-read your post), I must agree wholeheartedly. No argument there!

Originally posted by jnette

P>S> But as for NURSES discussing patients, Heather, you are right. That's a no-no.

But it's OK for any other hospital staff?

Heather

But no matter what those elevator women said, the ONLY things you can say around a newborn baby are welcome. No matter what, love should be in a babies presence. You know how some people get off thinking they are better, or enjoy thinking they can talk down about other people.

The langauge of LOVE encompasses ALL senses, not just langauage. Heather - it was wrong what the women said, and would cheapen them in my eyes. :-)

Specializes in correctional-CCHCP/detox nurse, DOULA-Birth Assist.

I feel as though I am going to be on the short end of the stick for this one but I am in agreement with RNin ICU and jnette.

If this is a private conversation then its PRIVATE, if they want to include you then they'll switch languages and invite you over. I am fluent in sign language and we have a few deaf inmates and some staff that sign. The staff will try to help the inmates get their basic needs met but it goes a lot faster when one of us (signers) can translate. The admin wants these inmates just to write eveything down so nobody is left out. "Its to distracting for us when your waving your arms around like that", their reasoning. A few of us (staff) will sign to each other but its easier than yelling across the room, and I wasn't talking to those other people anyway. I have no problem what you do on your personal time but when you are working then we are a team and we need to understand each other, no matter what language WE speak.

Sorry so long winded.

Nanna Nurse thats a little rough, has anyone gone to admin and complained about housekeeping. You can't keep pointing at the problem and not say something to someone. Have these ladies had classes in English, hospital cleaning techniques, or given a job description that outlines their duties/breaktimes. Don't mean to sound like a bytch.

Nannanurse,

Sorry, but your comment about these ladies from Bosnia being lazy and so on, got stuck in my (already sick from streps) throat.

Has anyone of you tried to communicate with this women?

What hell they've been through, before they were allowed into the US?

Why isn't they talk English? Did they have the possibilities to learn it? (at home in Tito's Yugoslawia they didn't learn English that's for sure, they learned Russian as 2. language)

I guess they were refugees from former Yugoslawia, o my, these poor women, must have been through a lot. (What about their families? are their husbands with them? or are the widows? were they raped? were they in a refugeecamp?)

You saw all the things Jnette wrote here, and this is so typical: this is ignorance for me, even when I offend you and your collegues with my statement, so be it, I can live with that.

Don't point at them like that, and complain, try to understand them, get some background information and try to communicate, there is always a possibility when you want it.

We have a lot of refugees here from Bosnia and other former Yugoslawian countries, because we are practical neighbours of them, and my, even though it is calm and no more fighting over there, we still have 5 families we take care of.

They still have no housing, no jobs, so no money. The promised international help................. they're still waiting for it!!

Ok, enough, I could go on for hours on this subject and others similar to this, but I call it quits now. Renee

I think I missed something here !#$*%$$%

Isn't the elevator a PUBLIC place? How can you have a private conversation in a public place?

Why do some feel this is limited to nursing? It is hospital wide.

That was one of the first things we learned in nursing school - Etiquette while you are present in the hospital. We were warned about the elevators due to family members who you may not know were standing next to you.

I can't believe that they had the nerve to speak of the new mother right infront of her! If they had the nerve to say it why couldn't they say it in english?????

Aren't we discussing our conduct while in the hospital or our place of work?

Part of the problem is we are all so used to it. It doesn't seem like a big deal anymore.

Another question - Why are we at work? Do we provide a service to the public????? Get it PUBLIC! Shouldn't we be professional at work? Shouldn't we ACT or CONDUCT ourselves as professionals?

In our own lives, away from work, no matter what country you are in, ~~~ who cares!

There are post here that mentions a preception of americans and an influx of foreign populations. I can tell you that here in California we have always had a great mix of ethnicities. That is nothing new for us. I don't feel any different from anyone else.

My concern is work conduct. As I stated in a prior post this is verbal abuse. That is the Policy of my facility also. I am glad it is addressed in the facility.

I agree with Heather!

One last thought ~~~~Passive Acceptance is Encouragement!

Sorry I have a few more questions?

We all have problems in our personal life. Why would you expect anyone to change your position expectations because of it? If we could flex our responsibilities in comparison to our personal problems our patients would be caring for themselves.

Why would anyone be sitting around talking at work? That is not what they are hired for. The other staff in their department will have to pick up the slack for them. How is that fair?

Are we professionals or are we still practicing to be professionals?

More brain food for you - ~~~ If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.

Nothing changes without effort. If you notice others are out of line and don't say anything why would they ever stop. Aren't we the patient's advocate??? I am not saying to speak down to anyone. There is always a tactful way to have a conversation regarding the topic.

The issue of the inmates speaking sign language ... boy that is a hard one. But that relates to a need of the patient. I don't know how jails rule on that in reference to the policies and regulations they must follow.

This is a hot topic but it seems some are emotional about it. Take a professional look at it. Take out the personal life of the employee, we are judge on our work performance not our personal life.

Cali

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